At a Glance
- Ben Affleck says he does not recall ever meeting Lisa Barlow
- Barlow claimed on RHOSLC she missed a cast trip to work with Affleck and Blake Lively
- Affleck told Access Hollywood he has not been to Utah in nearly a decade
- Why it matters: The contradiction fuels ongoing cast doubts about Barlow’s story
Ben Affleck has publicly distanced himself from Lisa Barlow’s claim that the two shared a professional engagement, telling Access Hollywood on January 16 that neither the meeting nor the event she described sounds familiar.
Barlow’s On-Air Claim
During the September 2025 season-six premiere of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Barlow informed costar Angie Katsanevas that she would skip the group RV trip because of a high-profile commitment.
> “I have a work thing, it’s like a big deal,” Barlow said, adding that she would be “with Ben and Blake [Lively].”
The remark prompted skepticism among castmates, several of whom have since questioned the authenticity of her story.
Affleck’s Response
When asked about Barlow, Affleck paused and replied:
> “I don’t wanna get anybody in trouble. I haven’t been in Utah in, I don’t know, eight, nine, 10 years.”
He continued:
> “It doesn’t look familiar to me and I don’t remember anything, and I don’t want to embarrass her.”
Affleck emphasized that while he meets “a lot of people,” he did not feel confident confirming any interaction:
> “I don’t think I’m qualified to weigh in on this.”
Barlow’s Counter
After the interview circulated on social media, Barlow left a concise comment clarifying the setting:
> “SXSW 🩶🩶🩶 The Accountant 2 🩶🩶🩶 And it was a great movie and party.”
She followed up with a TikTok montage from the South by Southwest festival showing footage from both The Accountant 2 and Another Simple Favor premieres, captioned:
> “Ben and Blake 🤍.”
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | SXSW hosts premieres for The Accountant 2 and Another Simple Favor |
| September 2025 | Barlow cites work with Affleck and Lively on RHOSLC premiere |
| January 16, 2026 | Affleck tells Access Hollywood he does not recall meeting her |
| Same day | Barlow posts TikTok and comment identifying SXSW as the location |
Key Takeaways
- Affleck’s uncertainty undercuts Barlow’s original implication of a close professional tie
- Barlow’s attempt to provide specifics via social media has yet to prompt a response from Affleck
- The discrepancy keeps cast doubt alive as season six continues
