Jennifer Garner Shares How Reese Witherspoon Supported Her During "Very Public, Very Hard Moment"

Jennifer Garner explained how Reese Witherspoon helped her heal with dance parties during a "very hard" moment in her personal life.

By Lindsay Weinberg Oct 21, 2023 10:37 PMTags
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What, like it's hard to support your friends? 

Jennifer Garner revealed how Reese Witherspoon was a true homie during a difficult chapter of her life. 

"I think back to going through a very public, very hard moment in my life," the 13 Going on 30 star told Reese while speaking at Hello Sunshine's Shine Away event in Los Angeles Oct. 21, where E! News was present. "This one was right there." 

And Reese, 47, did more than just provide emotional support: She also got down on the dance floor in the name of healing.

"The way I needed to get through it was to dance cardio," Jennifer, 51, recalled. "And I dance cardio'd so hard, we broke her foot but she kept going."

As Reese quipped, "Just keep dancing, ladies. Just keep dancing."

And it certainly didn't stop the dynamic duo. "It was like, ‘OK, we worked out at 7—on vacation. We're gonna work out again at 2,'" Jennifer continued onstage. "She's like, ‘OK, uh-huh, I'm gonna be there. I'm gonna be there.'"

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The Once Upon a Farm co-founder and Reese's Book Club leader—who previously twisted her foot in 2011—didn't give further details on the hardship or bonding moment.

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In 2015, Jennifer went through what she has described as a challenging period in her life when she split from husband Ben Affleck, the father of her kids Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11. 

"Going through it in public is not what's hard, going through it is what's hard, A," she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2021. "And B, my children's eyes are on me." 

But Jennifer has continued to inspire fans with her positive outlook and strength in the years following the split, including during the pandemic. 

"I've learned that I'm pretty sturdy," she told People in 2021. "I'm OK when I'm in the house by myself. I'm OK when it's just the kids and me. I'm OK when they fall apart. I mean I have my moments, but pretty much, I'm really OK."

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Keep scrolling to look back on Jennifer's best looks over the years:

Classic Blue

In honor of her star on the Walk of Fame, the actress wore a classic navy blue dress with an asymmetrical neckline and matching pumps.

Ravishing Red

Jennifer shows off her toned arms in a beautiful red dress and black heeled sandals.

Velvet Vixen

There is no such thing as too much velvet, according to Jennifer. The actress looks radiant in a wine-hued velvet off-the-shoulder number by Jennifer Ortiz with strapped, velvet green Chloe Gosselin heels. 

White Out

Garner captured understated class at its finest in the white-wonder that was her ruffly Roland Mouret at the Baby2Baby Gala. 

Fierce in Fringe

The 13 Going on 30 star looks timeless in a tuxedo collared cape over a fringed black dress. 

Three Stripes, You're Out

Striped sundresses and sandals are spring's sought after style.

Weather Leather

Newly 44, going on 30, in all black and leather while appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers.

Fresh Faced Darling

With her minimal makeup, Garner looks as refreshed and youthful as always. She rocks a sweet pink strapless tea-length dress with black flower embellishments, pairing the look with a pair of strappy black heels. 

Nude & Casual

The beauty looks cute and put together on the red carpet of the 29th American Cinematheque Award honoring Reese Witherspoon.

Don't Mesh With Me

Wearing side swept curls hair style a la Hollywood and rocking a black gown with mesh inserts, the starlet glams up for a great cause - Save the Children.

Peachy Keen

The brunette beauty opts for a peach-hued mini and nude suede heels at a Baby2Baby event in Los Angeles.

Little Black Yes

The star wows at the New York premiere of Danny Collins in a swingy little black dress.

Lacy Lady

Jen wore a black Valentino dress with white lace overlay at the 23rd Annual Beat The Odds Awards in Beverly Hills.

Sweet and Simple

Natural makeup and a simple hairdo made her Dolce & Gabbana gown look more casual at the 2013 Governors Awards.

Stunning Beauty

As the face of Max Mara, Jennifer attended the Marvelous Max Mara photocall in Tokyo in the designer's white sleeveless column gown with a messy updo.

Simply Chic

The Dallas Buyers Club star attended the L.A. premiere wearing a Vionnet navy sleeveless drape gown with Burak Uyan strappy heels. 

Red Hot

The actress wowed in a sweet Dolce & Gabbana dress with red lace overlay at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Hot Mama

Jennifer slipped into a Calvin Klein LBD for the designer's Save the Children benefit.

Belle of the Ball

Max Mara honored Jennifer as their first celebrity spokesperson at an NYC party where the lady of the hour wore the designer's black satin strapless cocktail dress.

Purple Power

The Neutrogena brand ambassador flaunted her ivory skin in a purple knee-length Oscar de la Renta dress and Brian Atwood pumps.

Red Carpet Moment

This custom Gucci gown was perfect on Mrs. Affleck at the 2013 Academy Awards, which she paired with $2.5 million worth of Neil Lane jewels.

True Beauty

In support of her hubby's award winning movie Argo, the actress wowed in an architectural silhouette by Roland Mouret.

So Svelte

While husband Ben Affleck took home the highest honor at the 2013 Directors Guild of America Awards for Argo, Jen took over the red carpet with this white Antonio Beradi fitted dress detailed with floral embellishments. 

Golden Girl

The 2013 awards season may have been all about her main man, Ben, but his best accessory is definitely his wife! She sparkled in a bronze Oscar de la Renta gown at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year. 

Pure Glamour

Always chic and sweet, Jen wore a black Oscar de la Renta knee-length dress featuring a sheer embroidered lace overlay and ruffled lace hemline to the 2013 Producers Guild Awards.

Style Statement

Va-va-voom! The mom of three donned a red Vivienne Westwood couture beaded strapless gown with David Webb accessories to the 2013 Golden Globe Awards.

In the Nude

The mother of three looked lovely in a nude Dolce & Gabbana dress, Nicholas Kirkwood pumps and David Webb jewels at CinemaCon to promote her film, The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

True Blue

The actress attends the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif., in a bright blue sheath with pleated skirt and nude platform sandals.

Royal Touch

Meeting Kate Middleton and Prince William at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event is a big deal, so Jen is dressed to impress. She selected a drop dead glamorous one-shoulder navy Yves Saint Laurent gown with drop earrings and a silver clutch. Stunning!

Style Star

Looking like the gorgeous girl next door in this YSL black mini, the mama attends the 10th Annual Chrysalis Charity Butterfly Ball. Natural makeup, a Ferragamo bag and black Casadei heels complete her look.

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View More Photos From Jennifer Garner's Best Looks