Jennifer Aniston has recently opened up about the intense media scrutiny she faced during her divorce from Brad Pitt, describing it as a "vulnerable time". In a new interview with Vanity Fair for the September 2025 issue, Aniston reflected on the challenges of navigating such a public breakup and the impact it had on her.
Aniston and Pitt, who were married in July 2000, announced their separation in January 2005, with the divorce finalized in October of the same year. The split became a major media event, fueled by Pitt's subsequent relationship with Angelina Jolie, his co-star in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Aniston referred to this period as her "love triangle" phase. The media frenzy surrounding the divorce and the rumors that followed deeply affected Aniston. "I didn't have a strong enough constitution to not get affected by" the attention, she admitted. She also noted the public's perception of celebrities, saying, "We're human beings, even though some people don't want to believe we are. They think, 'You signed up for it, so you take it.' But we really didn't sign up for that".
Looking back at her 2005 Vanity Fair interview, which was her first after the split, Aniston described the experience as "jarring". "I haven't looked at that article in forever," she said. "I just remember the experience of doing it – which was kind of jarring. It was also such a vulnerable time. But yeah, that was one for the memoirs". She also addressed the intense media coverage, stating, "It was such juicy reading for people. If they didn't have their soap operas, they had their tabloids. It's a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally". Despite the difficulties, Aniston has a positive outlook. In 2005, she told Vanity Fair, "I will love [Brad] for the rest of my life. He's a fantastic man. I don't regret any of it, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it".
Interestingly, Aniston found a way to channel her emotions into her work. She recalled taking on the role in the 2006 film "The Break-Up" with Vince Vaughn during that period. "I might've just gone through a separation — that little separation, I'm sure nobody remembers that," Aniston joked. She added, "It was kind of cathartic to go right from that". Although the producers were initially hesitant to offer her the role, fearing it might be insensitive, Aniston saw it as a "great opportunity" to benefit emotionally and serve the script.
Over the years, Aniston has developed close friendships with other women in Hollywood, including Gwyneth Paltrow, who also has a history with Brad Pitt. Aniston shared that they often exchange advice and support. Sandra Bullock praised Aniston's resilience and openness, saying, "I think her superpower is that she could very easily be hard, but she's incredibly open. People want to know about her and understand where she is in life and want her to be happy".
In recent years, Aniston and Pitt have seemingly rekindled their friendship, delighting fans with public reunions. Aniston's ability to navigate the challenges of fame and personal setbacks has solidified her status as a beloved figure in Hollywood. Aniston will be seen next in season 4 of "The Morning Show", which will be available on Apple TV+ starting September 17.
