Gwyneth Paltrow Was Open About Sex With Ben Affleck, According to New Book

An upcoming book about Gwyneth Paltrow offers new insight into her past relationship with Ben Affleck — including a possible NSFW confession.

Author Amy Odell writes in Gwyneth: The Biography that Paltrow, now 52, “spoke openly about how much she enjoyed their sex life,” according to an excerpt published by People on Wednesday, July 16. Paltrow apparently opened up to friend and celebrity makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin about a particular sex act with Affleck, now 52, but it was not specified.

“Her friends thought Ben was more of an intellectual match. But he had demons,” Odell claimed in the book. “Affleck was struggling with alcoholism and a gambling habit around the time he met Gwyneth.”

Affleck has been open about his alcohol struggles throughout his time in the public eye. (Us Weekly has reached out to Paltrow and Affleck’s teams for comment.)

“Her friends had reservations about him because he didn’t always reciprocate her affection. He at times seemed more interested in playing video games with the guys at his house than being with Gwyneth,” the book excerpt continues, comparing Affleck and his friends to famed HBO show Entourage. “Her friends felt like he did not appreciate her. She would be making dinner, and he would want to go out with the guys.”

“Their physical chemistry couldn’t overcome his self-destructive impulses,” Odell wrote about what led to Paltrow and Affleck’s split.

Paltrow and Affleck’s three-year on-and-off romance kicked off in 1997, just after she called off her engagement from Brad Pitt. Throughout their Hollywood relationship, the former couple starred in two movies together — 1998’s Shakespeare In Love and 2000’s Bounce. By the time the Bounce hit theaters, Paltrow and Affleck had split for good.

“I can tell you unequivocally that Gwyneth and I are not going out,” Affleck declared during an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2000. His adamant response came after paparazzi photos showing the pair hugging in Paris went public.

“We’re not a couple. We’re not an item. I do love her very much and I care about her enormously, as that picture indicates,” Affleck continued. “But I hug a lot of people this way. Whether or not people believe that is up to them.”

Over the years, Paltrow has continued to speak positively about her ex. The actress even called him “technically excellent” while discussing her sex life on “Call Her Daddy” in 2023. According to Paltrow, the Gone Girl star was “a good kisser.”

Gwyneth: The Biography will be released on July 29.