After much speculation, a reporter at a press conference finally broached the subject of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's marriage. An unnamed reporter questioned Lopez about reports of marital problems during a Mexico City event for her new movie "Atlas."

"You know better than that," Lopez said, shifting the conversation quickly onto something else. A widely distributed event film included this conversation. Simu Liu, Lopez's co-star, backed her also, asking the audience not to ask such questions.

Rumours have continued even though the pair has been silent about it. Affleck is reportedly living apart from Lopez, as seen by his conspicuous absences from recent public events like the Met Gala, where Lopez served as co-chair, and the "Atlas" premiere.

At a recent event, Lopez subtly addressed the rumors by stressing the value of family. Not long after Affleck skipped the "Atlas" premiere, this conversation took place. The pair was seen together for the first time since March, both of them sporting their wedding bands; the next day, Affleck was seen sans his ring.

Apparently, Affleck moved out of their $60 million Beverly Hills estate and is now residing in a Brentwood home. Disappointing ticket sales for Lopez's forthcoming tour in support of her album "This Is Me... Now" are said to be aggravating tensions.

According to insiders, Lopez requires a great deal of emotional support, which Affleck is finding difficult to offer. Lopez has offered moving back to New York, but their teenage kids' schooling makes this difficult.

As the pair works through these issues both in public and in private, their future is still unknown.