Brooks Nader has officially denied rumors linking her romantically to Ben Affleck, clarifying on social media that the two have never met. The Love Thy Nader star, 28, responded under a Deuxmoi Instagram post on January 24 that cited a source saying the pair had no prior acquaintance.
In a brief but firm comment, Nader wrote,
Haven’t met him in my life.
This statement aims to end speculation about her alleged connection with Affleck amid swirling Ben Affleck dating rumors.
Nader’s Recent Relationship History and Past Links
Before rumors involving Affleck surfaced, Brooks Nader was known for her relationship with Gleb Savchenko, her professional partner from Dancing with the Stars. The two met during season 33 of the ABC competition but experienced an on-again, off-again relationship.
Nader previously discussed their dynamic during a December 2025 interview on Watch What Happens Live, recalling,
I was newly divorced and I told them, ‘Give me the hottest, douchiest guy,’ and they gave me Gleb,
referencing her then-husband Billy Haire, whom she divorced in 2025. She added,
I felt as though there was so much sexual tension on the first day we met that it would just get worse and worse.
Despite the intense chemistry during the show, their relationship ended in April 2025 after Nader accused Savchenko of infidelity — allegations which he denied. The public fallout included further comments from both parties, reflecting the tension between them.
Continued Conflict and Public Back-and-Forth
In November, when media personality Olivia Attwood questioned Nader on Olivia’s House podcast regarding perceptions of bitterness for repeatedly discussing her split with Savchenko, Nader responded with frustration. She said,
Meanwhile, this f—ing guy is in his 40s and he was on Instagram Live a couple nights ago, ranting about me and my whole family.
She acknowledged the toxic dynamic between them, saying,
We can go tit for tat on the pettiness, you know what I mean?
and added,
That’s why I think we had good chemistry because we are both just so f—ing petty, and we would do the most f—ed up, petty, toxic things to each other throughout the whole season.
Recent Dating Status and Other Celebrity Connections
Following the end of her relationship with Savchenko, Nader’s dating life attracted attention once more. She has been linked to tennis players Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner but recently told PEOPLE at the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix that she was currently single. She teased,
We’ll see after the race,
and added,
But they’re all cute. Who knows?
Ben Affleck Reflects on the Complexity of New Relationships
Ben Affleck, 53, who recently ended his relationship with Jennifer Lopez in 2024, commented on the difficulties of navigating new romances in an April 2025 interview about his role in The Accountant 2. He discussed the early-stage uncertainties that come with connecting to someone new.
Affleck explained,
It’s not easy for anyone figuring out relationships, particularly at the very early part, where you’re trying to gauge, ‘What does this signal mean?’
He further elaborated,
‘Is this person looking at me? Do they like me? Am I going to humiliate myself if I go over there?’
He described his character’s experience, saying,
That was one of the fun things about this [movie],
continuing,
The idea that, here’s a guy who’s trying to figure out — he wants to have a relationship with a woman, he’s trying to figure out how to do that, like, how to put yourself out there.
Implications of the Clarification and Future Gossip Expectations
Brooks Nader’s public denial puts a definitive end to the recent spike in Ben Affleck dating rumors involving her. Given her history of candidly addressing her personal life, including interactions with former partners and the media, this direct response from Nader likely signals her intention to avoid further speculation.
Meanwhile, Affleck’s ongoing commentary on relationships shows his cautious approach after his split from Jennifer Lopez, suggesting that both celebrities remain private and measured about new developments. Observers of celebrity relationships can expect fans and media outlets to continue scrutinizing potential connections, but Nader’s statement sets a clear boundary in this case.
