Ben Affleck recently voiced frustration over how celebrities are treated by paparazzi, especially when it affects their private lives. Speaking on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, he shared how constant attention from photographers has left him feeling frustrated. Affleck also developed a sense of protectiveness, especially when he’s with his children.
Affleck noted that he’s often interrupted by groups of men yelling out to him while he’s simply trying to get somewhere. These moments, he explained, are often captured and spread online, leading to jokes like the viral “Sad Affleck” memes from 2020. According to him, many paparazzi intentionally provoke celebrities, hoping to catch emotional reactions that will raise the value of their photos or videos. This system, he believes, thrives on pushing famous people to their limits.
Ben Affleck Expressing Sympathy for Britney Spears
Reflecting on the pressures of fame, Affleck recalled feeling sympathy for Britney Spears. Although he’s never met her, he said he could imagine what she must have endured during her most difficult years. He pointed out that being followed constantly, especially when someone might be going through personal struggles, can worsen the situation.
He believes that celebrities don’t have public meltdowns just because they’re famous. They break down because they are being hunted by cameras everywhere they go. That stress, he said, builds up until it explodes.
Affleck described the environment as a “collective cruelty.” He compared it to watching an animal lash out in fear, without seeing the people who had been poking it. The public only sees the reaction, not the harassment behind it.
As someone with a long history in the spotlight, Affleck understands how invasive it can get. His relationships with public figures like Ana de Armas, Jennifer Garner, and Jennifer Lopez have attracted overwhelming media attention. His rekindled romance with Lopez in 2021, their marriage in 2022, and their 2025 divorce all kept tabloids spinning.
ben affleck on having empathy for britney spears: "that was the first time i thought of [the paparazzi] as kind of a weird, collective cruelty – where what's taken out of the image that you see are the people around waving the stick at the tiger." pic.twitter.com/APquYuP3dm
— ✎ (@according2b4r) April 25, 2025
Even now, he continues to deal with relentless interest in his personal life. He said his seemingly grumpy public face, which many have mocked, is actually a sign of worry for his children. He’s not concerned for himself, but deeply uneasy when cameras are present around his kids.
Affleck explained that he’s fine with being photographed at events or parties. But he draws a firm line when it comes to his family. That, he said, is where the intrusion crosses into unacceptable territory.
