Why Ben Affleck Looked So Miserable at the 2023 Grammys: ‘He Wasn’t His Usual Self’

Ben Affleck’s misery at the 2023 Grammys became Twitter’s favorite meme, but a source clarified to Entertainment Tonight that, yes, Affleck was not having the best time, but that was only because he was feeling off.

“Jen [Lopez, Affleck’s wife] and Ben had a fun date night out at the Grammys, but they have both been very busy working on several projects, and Ben was feeling tired,” the source explained. “He wanted to go and support Jen, but he wasn’t his usual self.”

The source stressed they still had a good night, and Lopez was understanding: “Jen had a great time and wanted Ben to be excited to be there, but she understood where he was coming from. Jen knows Ben is a great husband and they still made sure to have a good night together.”

Lopez knows that big events like the Grammys aren’t really her husband’s natural environment, the source added: “[She] knows how supportive Ben is towards her and her work, but also gets that Ben is more of a homebody, and it isn’t his thing to be out at events all the time.”

On her end, Lopez shared a video of herself and Affleck from Grammy night, trying to shut down internet chatter that their evening wasn’t a happy one. “Always the best time with my love, my husband,” she wrote.

Lopez was at the Grammys, serving as a presenter. The camera cut to her and Affleck throughout the ceremony, where she generally appeared jolly and him a little more melancholy. Twitter reactions ranged from introverts sympathizing with Affleck to some joking that him looking sad was extremely on-brand for him, considering his “Sad Affleck” meme history.