Violet Affleck, daughter of Hollywood heavyweights Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck, is turning heads again, and this time, it's not just about her outfit. The 18-year-old was spotted behind the wheel of her mom's slick, $60,000 electric BMW, chauffeuring her grandmother, Christopher Anne Boldt, to a laid-back lunch in Los Angeles.
While it might look like a sweet family moment (and it is), there's a deeper pop culture current buzzing underneath this very public outing. Days earlier, Violet was seen rocking a vintage Marc Jacobs purse. The stunning, Y2K-era piece has fashion girlies online losing their minds.
So, why is everyone talking about Violet?
For one, she's not your average celeb kid. Violet has maintained a relatively low-key profile compared to other nepo babies, often praised for her privacy, bookish vibe, and activism. She's previously voiced criticism of flashy wealth and performative privilege. But lately, her style choices seem to be telling a different story.
That vintage Marc Jacobs moment is the type of fashion TikTok is currently drooling over. But it also comes with a bit of whiplash for fans who've admired Violet's down-to-earth energy. Critics were quick to raise an eyebrow: Is this a pivot from her more modest image? Or is she just a teenager experimenting with fashion like everyone else?
From low-key teen to luxury-lifestyle soft launch?
It's not just about the bag. The electric BMW Violet was driving is a luxe vehicle that starts at around $60K. Sleek, sustainable, and super on-trend with Hollywood's eco-conscious elite, the car isn't just transportation. It's a status symbol.
Of course, this isn't out of the ordinary for someone from the Affleck-Garner dynasty. Garner, beloved for her relatable mom-next-door persona, still lives in a multimillion-dollar property and enjoys the finer things, albeit with less fanfare than most celebs. Ben Affleck, her Oscar-winning ex-husband and father to Violet, is no stranger to luxury either (remember the Lamborghini joyrides with J.Lo's twins?). Or the yellow Lambo, Samuel Affleck, crashed with Lopez sitting in the back). Between them, the family owns several high-end properties and rides.
But Violet has long been the outlier, the one who seemed to reject the excess, keeping it real in oversized glasses and preppy classics while advocating for real-world causes. Despite her upbringing in privilege, Violet is striving to make a difference, despite her sudden transition to designer bags and eco-luxe BMW driving duties.
Most 18-year-olds are still figuring it out. Violet Affleck might be no different, even if she's doing it under a megawatt celebrity spotlight. Maybe she's just mixing a little glam into her granola. Maybe the Marc Jacobs bag was thrifted. Maybe driving a BMW doesn't mean she's gone full Hollywood heiress. Or maybe she's realizing it's okay to enjoy nice things without selling out your values.
Growing up wealthy, famous, and under constant surveillance comes with its weird pressure. You're either too flashy or too fake-humble. But Violet might be carving out her space in between, a kind of Gen Z middle ground where you can care about the climate and carry a killer bag. Either way, she's proving that growing up Affleck-Garner isn't as simple as rich-girl stereotypes would suggest.