Jen Affleck is opening up about her marriage ahead of baby No. 3’s arrival.
The 25-year-old MomTok star revealed that she was expecting her third baby with husband Zac Affleck in February after a year that saw the couple’s relationship status repeatedly questioned by fans.
Their struggles were documented in Season 1 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” released in September.
With the premiere of Season 2 less than one week away, Jen Affleck spoke with People about what the couple’s relationship looks like today and what fans can expect to see in the season ahead.
“Just because of everything that we went through last year and because of everything we’ve had to do so much therapy,” she said in the interview, published May 8.
According to People, Jen and Zac Affleck — who have been married since 2019 and already share son Lucas, 19 months, and daughter Nora, 3 — were separated before announcing their third pregnancy.
As Jen Affleck explained, she and her husband begin season 2 of the reality show living apart from one another as they try different types of therapy in hopes of repairing the damage seen in season 1.
“It’s all a blessing in disguise, but I definitely think it is daunting coming back to MomTok because we have gone through so much being a part of it,” Jen Affleck says of the public’s interest in her relationship.
“But again, we’re learning so much on the way, so only taking the positives right now,” she said.
The scrutiny the couple has faced primarily stems from a massive argument they had after Jen Affleck and other wives of the show attended a Chippendales performance in Las Vegas several years ago.
Zac Affleck took offense to his wife’s decision to go to the performance, resulting in a fight that left fans wondering if they were still together.
Jen Affleck says they can see ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’
In September, Jen Affleck confirmed that she and Zac Affleck were still together.
“If we continue in our relationship, there are changes that need to be made. If they’re not made, we might have to… look at other options,” she said in a Sept. 10 interview with Vulture.
“But as of right now, I do think he’s trying his best to make those changes,” she added.
In a separate interview with Decider, published Sept. 9, Jen Affleck said the Chippendales fight actually “strengthened” her relationship with Zac Affleck and helped put things into perspective.
“There are a lot of times where I’m going to fall short and he’s going to have to pick up the rest of the pieces,” she told the publication.
“And there are moments where he’s going to fall short and I’m going to have to pick up those pieces,” she continued. “It was definitely one of those moments for me.”
Fast forward eight months and the couple have reportedly made “positive steps” in their relationship.
“We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” she told People on May 8. “Right now I’m focusing on my mental health, my marriage and becoming the best version of myself that I can be.”
Jen Affleck also praised her husband for continuing to support her — even if it means putting medical school on hold.
“He still hasn’t officially decided,” she said of Zac Affleck deferring his acceptance into medical school. He graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) in July.
“He still has about five months to decide, but as of right now, I think his priority is just supporting me and so I guess we’ll see,” she added.
Season 2 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” premieres May 15 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.
