Ben Affleck gives surprising update about dating rumours: ‘I'm happy'

Ben Affleck has a message for anyone tracking his love life: he’s really not out there looking.

The Animals star, 54, opened up about his dating status at the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie Thursday, October 2, making it clear romance isn’t currently taking up much space in his schedule.

“I work a lot and I see my kids,” Affleck told Entertainment Tonight. “There’s not a lot of room” outside of that and his work, he added. “I’m not running around.”

That didn’t stop him from getting pulled into one particularly unexpected dating rumour. The View co-host Ana Navarro recently claimed she had tried to set Affleck up with Shakira after his split from Jennifer Lopez.

Affleck’s reaction? Apparently, nobody sent him the memo.

“I hear s--- like that honestly first from people like you,” he said. “I swear to God, I never heard that in my whole life.”

“I often hear rumours, and I think it’s because, how many single [men]... some people gossip. Stuff gets made up. I don’t really ever get set up, really.”

After two marriages and plenty of headlines, Affleck says his priorities are considerably simpler these days.

“I’m good and I’m happy,” he said. “I know what my priorities are. You can’t have two things that are the most important in your life. For me that’s the kids.”

He added, “And then I have my work, which I love. And, you know, I’m where I’m at and I’m great. Who knows what adventures life will bring? I’m open to it but I’m not trying to chase anything.”

Of course, his kids have noticed the dating chatter too. During a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance, Affleck revealed his 17-year-old even questioned his relationship advice: “Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?”

Fair point.

Animals, directed and co-written by Affleck, hits Netflix October 9.