For probably the most half, being married to one of many world’s most revered music icons might be as cool because it sounds.
However there are some drawbacks too — like having to attend the Grammys at 50 years previous and concentrate the complete time, as if this isn’t the primary time you’ve heard of most of those performers.
That was the place Ben Affleck discovered himself in final month.
Affleck’s behavior at the Grammys made him an prompt meme and sparked limitless dialogue, which is type of stranger as a result of Ben didn’t actually do a lot of something.
He sat subsequent to his spouse, Jennifer Lopez, with a type of clean expression on his face, seemingly unaware that he was on digital camera.
Some prompt that Ben was bored or in any other case uncomfortable on the occasion, whereas others jumped to a extra scandalous conclusion.
On Twitter and elsewhere, commenters recklessly alleged that Affleck was drunk.
In lots of circumstances there’s no actual hurt in suggesting {that a} celeb appears a little bit tipsy at an award present.
However Affleck has struggled with alcoholism all through his grownup life, and he’s been admirably open in regards to the problem of getting sober and the affect that his dependancy has had on his profession and household.
So casually accusing Ben of falling off the wagon after all of the work he’s put into getting sober is decidedly not cool.
In a new, wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck addressed the allegations that he was intoxicated on the Grammys.
“No. I had fun on the Grammys. My spouse was going, and I assumed, ‘Effectively, there’ll be good music. It may be enjoyable,’” the Oscar-winner recalled.
“At film award reveals, it’s speeches and, like, sound-mixing webinars. However I assumed this might be enjoyable. I noticed [Grammy host Trevor Noah approach] and I used to be like, ‘Oh, God,’” Affleck continued.
Affleck concedes that he didn’t know he and Lopez have been being broadcast dwell, however he says there’s no reality to the rumor that they have been combating.
“They have been framing us on this shot, however I didn’t know they have been rolling,” he mentioned.
“I leaned into her and I used to be like, ‘As quickly they begin rolling, I’m going to slip away from you and depart you sitting subsequent to Trevor.’ She goes, ‘You higher f—ing not depart,’” Ben continued.
“That’s a husband-and-wife factor. I imply, a few of it’s, I’m like, ‘All proper, who is that this act?’ Like, I don’t sustain. My spouse does, clearly.”
Affleck defined that he has gone to occasions “and been pissed off,” “bored” and “drunk,” however he added that these days are lengthy behind him, as he’s been sober for a number of years.
“I assumed, that’s fascinating,” Ben mentioned of the allegations that he was drunk.
“That raises a complete different factor about whether or not or not it’s smart to acknowledge dependancy as a result of there’s loads of compassion, however there’s nonetheless an incredible stigma, which is commonly fairly inhibiting,” he added.
“I do assume it disincentivizes folks from making their lives higher.”
Ben went added that he’s assisted others who’re scuffling with dependancy as a result of “it makes me really feel so good to do this.”
He added that he generally advises them to maintain their struggles below wraps with a view to keep away from conditions just like the one he simply endured.
“Typically what I’ll say to folks is, I’d keep away from [your addiction] popping out if I have been you. You don’t must be anyone’s poster youngster,” he mentioned.
“You don’t have to f—ing inform anyone. That’s why there’s two phrases on the entrance of the e-book. They’re simply as necessary, each of them: Alcoholics Nameless. It’s at all times nameless.”
We congratulate Ben on his sobriety and want him properly in his continued restoration.
