The Pandemic Romance Of BenAna Is Over

This is not the news any of us want to read on a Monday. Not now, not ever. But sadly here we are. So please grab the tissues and pour out a large iced coffee from Dunkin’, then arm yourself with whatever coping skills you’ll need to deal with this devastating blow to love/celebrity pandemic photographers in Los Angeles. Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have reportedly split up after nearly a year of dating and walking in public together.

At the beginning of 2021, it was reported that Ana spent New Years with her family and friends in Cuba (where she’s from) and that Ben was not with her. We also learned that Ana had gotten a haircut, which can be an innocent hair choice, or it can be a sign that someone is ready for a new them after a change. It might have been the second, it would seem.

Several sources who spoke to People claim that Ana broke up with Ben. But, if you’re attempting to sniff out a whiff of drama or messiness, you’ll have to look elsewhere. It was allegedly an amicable breakup that happened because Ana doesn’t want to make Los Angeles her base:

“Ben is no longer dating Ana. She broke it off. Their relationship was complicated. Ana doesn’t want to be Los Angeles based and Ben obviously has to since his kids live in Los Angeles.

This is something that was mutual and something that is completely amicable,” another source close to Affleck and de Armas adds. “They are in different points in their lives; there is deep love and respect there. Ben continues to want to work on himself. He has three jobs lined up and he’s a solid father at home. They are both happy with where they are in their lives.”

48-year-old Ben and 32-year-old Ana were first seen together making out during trips to Cuba and Costa Rica in March, right before lockdown in the U.S.. That’s when the universe forced the new couple to get creative with the public aspect of their relationship, and to the benefit of all of us and the gratitude of gossips alike, BenAna was born. Ben and Ana wouldn’t let a pesky thing like a pandemic lockdown keep them from getting out there and grabbing some attention. And so, BenAna kept the paparazzi busy documenting such relationship highlights as:

– Starbucks runs
– Romantic strolls
– Dog walks
– Dog walks, but on Easter weekend
– Walks that ended with fence-scalling
– Walks in matching gold heart necklaces (awww)
– Meeting Ben’s children and their dogs
– House hunting

They also had reportedly moved in together last August, and there was talk that they were considering getting married. As if that wasn’t enough, they made the unofficial celebrity commitment of going Instagram official.

Of course, their relationship was not without its issues. Early in their pairing, a Ana de Armas fan account on Twitter, Ana de Armas Updates, made a joke or two about BenAna hitting the streets when most people were parking their asses inside. They quickly got blocked by Ana herself. But Ana de Armas Updates clearly didn’t take it too personally, as they were quick to mourn the pandemic’s royal couple.

The end of an era. 😭 pic.twitter.com/HAqt6Z22uO

— Ana de Armas Updates (@ArmasUpdates) January 18, 2021

Ben’s best friend Matt Damon has been seen making repeat visits to Ben’s home this month. And I guess we know why now. Matt might have been checking up on his friend, as friends do when one friend has gone through a devastating breakup, listening to his friend sob and wallow. “I know it’s amicable, but still. Who will I be seen getting coffee with now? And all those photographers out of work? Really breaks your heart, bro.”

Pic: Instagram