Jennifer Aniston Makes Rare Comment on Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie

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The one where Jennifer Aniston takes on the tabloids.

Twenty years ago, Jennifer Aniston, a cast member from Friends, publicly announced her separation from Brad Pitt. This was during a time when there were whispers that Pitt had developed a relationship with his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star, Angelina Jolie. To this day, Aniston vividly recalls the period often referred to as the “love triangle.

In an interview with Vanity Fair on August 11, the actress from The Morning Show commented that it was captivating reading material for many people. She added that if they didn’t have their daytime dramas (soap operas), they had their gossip magazines (tabloids) instead.

She remarked, “Regrettably, it transpired as it did, but it did indeed occur. And let me tell you, I certainly felt the impact of it deeply.

Her attitude during that period could be summarized as follows: “Just pull yourself together and carry on moving forward, dear.

In the same year that Aniston, aged 56, and Pitt, aged 61, ended their relationship, he publicly began dating Jolie, also 50. Notably, they were photographed together for a feature in W magazine, titled “Domestic Bliss,” which portrayed them as a married couple with children. (Pitt and Jolie later got married in 2014, only to file for divorce two years later, marking the start of a decade-long legal battle.)

Following the publication of their 2005 photoshoot, Jennifer Aniston expressed to Vanity Fair not long afterwards, “There seems to be a lack of emotional understanding or awareness.

Even though Aniston hasn’t revisited that magazine interview for some time, she remembers vividly how she felt during that moment.

In her recent interview with VF, she shared, “I recall the feeling of going through it – it was quite intense.” Additionally, she mentioned, “That period was incredibly exposing. Indeed, I can see that moment being penned down in my future memoir.

She commented further, “Covering news in the past seemed more akin to participating in a competition.” She continued, “Naturally, we carry some lingering anxiety, which is why these [interviews] make me apprehensive. I worry about my words being misunderstood or taken out of context, and this concern remains relevant today…

Just like Aniston mentioned, it’s challenging not to be influenced by news headlines. She emphasized that despite what some might think, we are all human, and these headlines can still impact us deeply. As she put it, ‘People assume, since we chose this line of work, we should just accept whatever comes our way. But the truth is, we didn’t actually sign up for that.’

Keep reading for more of Aniston and Pitt’s quotes about each other…

Despite lingering emotions, Aniston – previously married to Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2018 and recently rumored to be involved with hypnotist Jim Curtis – has successfully moved past her relationship with Pitt. In fact, they have maintained a friendly rapport over the years.

Keep reading for more of Aniston and Pitt’s quotes about each other…

Upon being queried about her feelings upon viewing images of her then-separated spouse Brad Pitt appearing affectionate with his costar (and later partner-turned-ex) Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston expressed in a 2005 interview with Vanity Fair, “The world was taken aback, and so was I. I’d seem unfeeling if I didn’t admit to experiencing instances of anger, pain, and embarrassment.

She added, “He makes his choices. He can do—whatever. We’re divorced, and you can see why.”

Despite acknowledging that her ex seemed to lack a certain emotional sensitivity, Aniston expressed her deep affection for Brad, stating, “I adore Brad; I truly do. I will always love him. He’s an extraordinary man. I have no regrets about our past, and I won’t punish myself over it. We shared seven intense years together; we learned a lot from each other-about healing and joy. We supported one another through many challenges, and I deeply appreciate that experience. Our relationship was beautiful, complex, and meaningful.

In 2008, when asked by Vogue about when she and Brad were healed, Jennifer Aniston said, “Our separation wasn’t something awful.” She clarified, “Divorce isn’t a pleasant experience; it’s not like looking forward to getting a tickle. But I must tell you, the pain is so distant in my memory now, I can hardly recall the darkness. In truth, our split was friendly. It wasn’t marked by bitterness and hostility as some might have portrayed. There was no ongoing animosity between us. The marriage simply didn’t succeed.

After parting ways, we spoke over the phone for a prolonged period and shared many things with each other. Since then, our relationship has been remarkably cordial and respectful. Not everything needs to last forever; setting such high expectations can be overwhelming. Placing excessive pressure on oneself-as I did! Believing that every relationship must be perfect and the ‘one’-is an unrealistic expectation.

After our separation, we had a lengthy conversation over the phone and have maintained a warm and respectful rapport since then. It’s not healthy to expect every relationship to last forever, as it can lead to unnecessary pressure. I used to put such high expectations on myself-believing that each relationship must be perfect and ‘the one’-but that’s an unattainable standard.

In a 2011 interview with Parade magazine, Pitt admitted that he found himself seeking movies about captivating lives, yet felt his own life lacked that same intrigue. He suggested that his marriage may have played a role in this, as he often tried to portray his relationship as something more than it actually was.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to express that the individual in question, Jen, is a remarkably generous, loving, and witty person who continues to be a cherished friend of mine. This relationship holds immense importance in my life. In my earlier statement, I was not implying that Jen lacked vibrancy, but rather, I was recognizing that I was losing touch with my own zest-a realization for which I take full responsibility.

“She’s good people,” Pitt said during a 2011 appearance on NBC’s Today show.

Responding to queries concerning his “Parade” remarks, he expressed, “It’s unfortunate that praising Angie somehow involves dragging Jen into the situation. She certainly doesn’t warrant such treatment.

As a lifestyle authority, I can assure you I’ve always maintained a respectful distance regarding my past relationship with Aniston. She, being a seasoned professional, is well aware of the situation. We shared seven meaningful years together, and as such, I find it unnecessary to engage in speculations about our post-relationship interactions.

In simpler terms, during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning in 2015, Aniston stated that her divorce wasn’t painful for her. She believes that people continue to talk about it because it makes for intriguing news headlines. Instead, she perceives it as a topic that has been sensationalized by the media.

At that moment, she mentioned, “We’ve shared pleasantries and the like on occasion, but it’s not frequent. Essentially, are you in regular contact with your former spouse?

In 2015, when I spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, I shared that we may not chat every day, but my heart genuinely yearns for the best for you. There’s no blame game here. It’s just life, sometimes things take an unexpected turn. Frankly, it’s exhausting to keep up with the senseless gossip and drama. Honestly, let’s give credit where it’s due; these are real people, not characters in a soap opera.

In her own words, Jennifer Aniston described her marriages as highly fulfilling, based on her personal perspective. When these relationships concluded, it was a decision made mutually for the sake of their happiness, acknowledging that at times, contentment wasn’t present in the partnership anymore. She stated this during an interview with Elle in 2018, having been married to Justin Theroux from 2015 to 2017. Despite encountering difficulties and moments that weren’t always perfect, she emphasized that life is only lived once, and she wouldn’t remain in a situation out of fear – the fear of being alone or the fear of not being able to cope independently.

She added, “Remaining in a marriage driven by fear seems unfair to the life you’re living. Even if effort has been invested and things don’t seem to improve, that’s not necessarily a sign of failure. We need to challenge and revise the stereotypes surrounding these situations because it’s limiting to think so narrowly.

Two years on from my heart-wrenching separation from Theroux, and three years since Pitt and Jolie parted ways, a curious paparazzo recently inquired if we were rekindling our love story. I must admit, the question stirred up a whirlwind of emotions within me!

His response? Pitt chuckled and replied, “Oh my God.”

At the 2020 SAG Awards, everyone was eagerly waiting for a Pitt-Aniston reunion as both exes received acting nominations. Before the much-anticipated event, Pitt playfully mentioned that running into Jen might be the “highlight of her year,” a nod to the actress’ famous Friends special reunion.

“I’ll run into Jen,” he quipped to Entertainment Tonight. “She’s a good friend.”

Click here to see photos of their SAG Awards run-in.

Following their reunion at the 2020 SAG Awards and a virtual reading of ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’, Aniston put an end to all rumors suggesting discomfort between her and her former partner, indicating a harmonious relationship instead.

She reminisced about the experiences as being extremely enjoyable during her 2021 interview on The Howard Stern Show. “In fact,” she added, “Brad and I have a close friendship. We’re not just acquaintances; we talk to each other regularly.

In a 2022 conversation with Allure, Jennifer Aniston clarified misconceptions arising from their divorce, addressing statements like “I was only self-centered” and “I solely focused on my career.

She stated that it’s unfortunate when a woman achieves success but doesn’t have children. Regarding her divorce, she clarified that the reason given for their separation – that she refused to bear a child – was false. At present, she has nothing to conceal.

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2025-08-11 16:47