Jennifer Garner has spoken out about the extreme dangers posed by paparazzi during her children's youth, detailing how aggressive pursuit tactics created hazardous situations.
During an appearance on Netflix's "Shut Up Evan," Garner recounted instances where photographers' actions were not only intrusive but also created significant risks. She described a scenario where if she "went through a yellow light, 15 cars would go through the red behind me." The photographers' pursuit extended to driving onto private property, including people's lawns, and disrupting community activities.
Garner recalled an incident where paparazzi presence at a children's soccer game led the association to request attendees stop playing due to the "20 cars coming." She also highlighted the distress caused when photographers blocked access to essential services, stating, "If you show up and you’re trying to get into the pediatrician, and you have a sick kid on your shoulder, and you’re scared, and you can’t get into the door because you’re blocked by photographers, there’s something wrong with that."
These encounters were particularly concerning due to the physical disregard photographers sometimes showed for children. Garner mentioned that "Kids were getting knocked over coming out of preschool by photographers who were so hungry to get to me or to Ben — trying to get to our kids." She emphasized that "the kids are paying the price" for this intrusive behavior.
Garner and ex-husband Ben Affleck, who were married from 2005 to 2015, share three children: Violet, Seraphina, and Samuel. Affleck has also previously commented on his discomfort with constant media attention, particularly when it involves his children. In a 2024 interview, he stated that while he doesn't mind photos taken at public events, he objects to paparazzi focusing on his children, describing it as a "different thing."