Jennifer Garner did not hold back in a new interview when discussing an incident involving paparazzi who she said knocked over children in their pursuit of photographs of her and Ben Affleck. Speaking to Variety, the actor described the photographers as "so hungry to get at me" and said the episode crossed a line that even the relentless celebrity media culture rarely breaches.
The incident occurred earlier this month, according to Garner, when she and Affleck were leaving a family event with their children present. A scrum of photographers surged toward them, and in the chaos, several kids were pushed to the ground. Garner said she was shaken by the disregard for safety and called the paparazzi's behavior "sickening."
"I have dealt with this for over 20 years, but when you see a child get knocked over, something shifts," Garner said. "There is no photograph worth that."
Garner and Affleck, who divorced in 2018, have co-parented their three children and are frequently photographed together at school events, sports games, and family outings. The former couple has long had a fraught relationship with the paparazzi, but Garner indicated this incident felt different because of the direct physical harm to bystanders.
The interview has drawn attention once again to California's laws regarding paparazzi conduct, which were strengthened in 2013 after similar complaints from celebrities with young children, including Halle Berry and Adele. Garner said she supports further restrictions, including buffer zones around schools and playgrounds.
Industry reaction was swift, with several actors and directors sharing Garner's comments and calling for industry-wide standards for red carpet and event photographers, not just the freelance paparazzi who operate in public spaces. The incident adds to a growing conversation about the boundaries of celebrity journalism, especially when minors are in the frame.