Gwyneth Paltrow “Enjoyed” Her Sex Life with Ex-Boyfriend Ben Affleck

Despite seeming like polar opposites today, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck were once two halves of a late ‘90s Hollywood It couple. Fresh off her breakup from Brad Pitt, the Emma actress met Affleck in 1997—and the physical attraction was instant, despite his struggles with alcohol and gambling. According to an excerpt from Amy Odell’s Gwyneth: The Biography shared with People, Paltrow was vocal about how Affleck’s bad-boy persona was eclipsed by his skills in the bedroom.

In the exclusive preview, which was published on July 16, Odell revealed that Paltrow couldn’t help falling for Affleck’s “intellect” despite their differences and her friends’ disapproval. “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 author wrote.

However, Gwyneth—who would go on to snag an Oscar win for Shakespeare in Love the next year—was apparently smitten with her then-boyfriend’s sexual finesse. “She spoke openly about how much she enjoyed their sex life. She told [makeup artist Kevyn] Aucoin one day that she loved when Affleck [engaged in a certain sex act],” Odell revealed.

However, even their intense chemistry couldn’t conquer other issues in the relationship, as the pair broke up (temporarily) after dating for a little over a year—and, according to Odell, infidelity might have played a part. “Their physical chemistry couldn’t overcome his self-destructive impulses, which may have even included cheating on her. After they broke up, Gwyneth said, ‘I love men, even though they’re lying, cheating scumbags,’” the author wrote.

While the couple tried to make things work again, reuniting in the fall of 1999, their relationship was over in October 2000 when “Affleck’s addiction issues resurfaced.” Odell revealed that the couple’s differences had only widened as Paltrow began discovering wellness practices that would eventually lead to her Goop empire. “While he had been turning to alcohol, she was practicing Ashtanga yoga six times a week, meditating daily, and watching her diet,” Odell added.

Paltrow has previously raved about Affleck’s bedroom skills, calling them “technically excellent” when asked if he or Pitt was a better lover. She also called the Good Will Hunting actor a “good kisser” and said that her ex was also the one who was most likely to make her laugh—although he was also the one she was more likely to argue with.

While Paltrow went on to wed Coldplay’s Chris Martin, with whom she shares daughter Apple, 18, and son Moses, 17, she’s now married to Brad Falchuk. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck—who recently ended his marriage with Jennifer Lopez—shares Violet, 19, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13, with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.