It was a reunion no one saw coming, and everyone’s talking about it. Lindsay Shookus, Ben Affleck’s former on-again, off-again flame, made a surprise appearance at Alex Rodriguez’s "Alex vs. A-Rod" documentary premiere in New York City on Monday, and the internet can’t decide if it’s a coincidence or subtle Hollywood drama.
The former Saturday Night Live producer, 45, was all elegance at the DGA Theater. Shookus arrived in a sleek high-neck black gown with a sheer skirt that commanded attention without saying a word. Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves, cascading perfectly to match the understated silver jewelry that completed her look.
Rodriguez, 50, who was hosting the premiere for his HBO documentary, looked equally polished in a classic black suit. What made the night extra intriguing was the tangled web connecting everyone involved. Rodriguez, of course, is the ex-fiancé of Jennifer Lopez, who just finalized her divorce from Shookus’s former boyfriend, Ben Affleck. It’s a circle so small, you could call it Hollywood’s own love triangle sequel.
“Just Friends”… But Still Interesting Timing
While the guest list raised some eyebrows, this isn’t the first time Shookus and Rodriguez have been seen together. Back in 2021, the two were spotted at a Hamptons gathering, which immediately sparked rumors of a new romance.
But Rodriguez’s rep quickly shut that down at the time, clarifying to People that the two had “been friends for 15 years” and insisting, “There is nothing there at all.”
Still, given the timing, Shookus’s appearance coinciding with the aftermath of Affleck and Lopez’s split, fans couldn’t help reading between the lines.
A Star-Studded Event
The premiere was a full-blown celebrity sighting spree. Tom Brady, 48, brought his usual understated cool in a grey suit paired with a black turtleneck, while Good Morning America host Michael Strahan, 53, looked sharp in dark grey.
Between NFL legends, late-night producers, and A-list exes, "Alex vs. A-Rod" turned into a red-carpet moment that mixed sports, showbiz, and nostalgia.
Inside “Alex vs. A-Rod”
Rodriguez’s three-part HBO docuseries dives deep into his rise, fall, and comeback, from baseball prodigy to one of the most polarizing figures in sports history. The series explores his infamous suspension for performance-enhancing drugs, his battles with public perception, and his relentless drive to redefine his legacy.
The first episode debuts on November 6, with new installments dropping each Thursday. Early buzz says it’s equal parts confession and redemption arc.
The Lopez-Affleck Aftermath
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s high-profile romance has officially come to an end. After tying the knot in 2022, their marriage was finalized earlier this year. The pair had rekindled their early-2000s spark after Lopez’s split from Rodriguez, but like many Hollywood fairy tales, it didn’t stick.
Lopez, 56, has since made it clear she’s done talking about her private life. When asked recently on "Watch What Happens Live" about A-Rod allegedly messaging other women during their engagement, she responded coolly: “I really have nothing to say about my personal life anymore. I feel like I’m done with that.”