Jennifer Garner recently opened up about how her divorce changed the way she thought about work, money and providing for her children. However, her comments divided the internet, withs some calling her statements “tone deaf.”
During a recent appearance on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast, the actress discussed her career, motherhood and the unexpected financial concerns she faced after her marriage with Ben Affleck ended.
For the appearance, the Alias star looked effortlessly polished in an all-black outfit featuring a sleeveless V-neck vest and matching trousers. She paired the look with brown pumps featuring chunky heels and accessorized with mini hoop earrings and bracelets.
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Jennifer Garner Makes Stylish Appearance On Aspire Podcast
The 54-year-old kept her beauty look understated, wearing a light coral lip, subtle brown eyeliner and soft contour beneath her cheekbones. She styled her hair sleek and down with a side part.
During the conversation, Garner opened up about co-founding Once Upon a Farm and helping grow the organic children’s nutrition company while balancing her decades-long Hollywood career and raising her children.
She also revealed that she became increasingly concerned about her ability to financially support herself and her kids after her divorce.
“I panicked when I was first out of my marriage and realized I had taken such a step back in my work,” Garner said. “Suddenly I realized I don’t know how long I’ll be able to work.”
The mom of three explained that Hollywood does not necessarily offer the kind of financial security that comes with age or seniority in other careers.
“This isn’t a career that’s like, ‘Hey, you’re 60, you’re 55, you’re 43, come on, let’s pay you more than you’ve ever made,’” she said. “You know what I mean? That’s not been traditionally the role.”
Garner said she quickly realized she needed to think differently about her career and finances.
“I was suddenly like, ‘Wait a minute, I have to take care of myself, I have to take care of these kids. So what is it going to be?’” she recalled.
Her responsibilities as a mother also influenced the kinds of acting jobs she could take. Garner said she could no longer simply leave Los Angeles for months at a time to film a movie.
“I can’t leave these kids for six months at a time,” she said. “I would love to. I love going on location, but it’s not this time in my career.”
Instead, Garner said she was grateful to have been able to find a balance between working and being present for her children.
“I was so lucky to be able to luxuriate and work some and be home and be a mom a lot of the time,” she said. “I was really grateful for that opportunity. I got to kind of have the best of both worlds, so I can’t really look back and complain about any of it.”
Garner also emphasized that being famous doesn’t necessarily eliminate everyday financial responsibilities.
“It’s not like you can just unfamous yourself,” she said. “Life is expensive, and you still have to figure out how you’re going to live.”
“Just because you’re well known by people does not mean that there is some great living being provided for you,” she continued, explaining that the realization made her take earning money much more seriously.
Garner and Affleck married in June 2005 and finalized their divorce in October 2018 after more than a decade of marriage. The former couple share three children.
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Social Media Reacts
However, some fans on social media felt her comments came across as tone-deaf and out of touch, arguing that, as a multimillionaire, she may not be able to relate to mothers who earn significantly less but still have to balance full-time work with raising their children.
"Oh jeez. You poor suffering soul. I feel your pain," said one user.
Another wrote, "Totally tone deaf."
Someone else said, "Trying make herself one of the commoners. Sorry. Not buying it."
One person added, "I understand the sentiment but she can’t speak for struggling moms."
Another quipped, "Think of how single women with kids feel who are only making 60K and not millions. Spare me."
One commenter said, "I'm sure she had enough to take care of herself. Her children's father is the fallback for the kids. She would have been fine. This story is exaggerating and out of touch with reality."
