Jennifer Aniston has strongly denounced the notion that she gave up the opportunity to have children in order to pursue her acting career in Hollywood, calling it ‘cruel’ and ‘unpleasant’. The 52-year-old actress expressed how she found the ongoing speculation about her decision to have children hurtful, adding that it was a personal matter and people were unaware of any potential medical reasons. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer discussed her personal life, her determination not to be a victim like her late mother, and her love for carbohydrates.
Jennifer Aniston has addressed the hurtful assumptions about her personal life head-on, dismissing claims that she sacrificed motherhood for her acting career as ‘just nasty’. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the beloved actress opened up about how her fame has led to unwarranted speculation about her decision to not have children.
Despite being a sought-after star since her iconic role on Friends, Jennifer revealed that people often project their own ideas onto her, but she remains focused on proving her capabilities as an actress. She expressed frustration at the rumors and assumptions surrounding her personal life, emphasizing that outsiders have no knowledge of her medical or personal circumstances that may have influenced her choices around starting a family.
In a previous interview with Vanity Fair, Jennifer had shared her desire to have children, debunking the false narrative that she prioritized her career over motherhood. With candor and grace, she continues to speak out against the hurtful and baseless gossip that circulates about her personal life.
Hypocrisy: The 52-year-old actress shared how she felt offended by the constant scrutiny about her potential motherhood plans, responding by saying, “You don’t know anything about my health situation.”
Firing back: During the interview, Jennifer candidly discussed her personal life, expressing her determination to not succumb to a victim mentality like her mother did and her newfound appreciation for carbs.
Romance: Jennifer got together with Brad Pitt back in 1998, and their love story led to a fairy-tale wedding in 2000. Unfortunately, their happily-ever-after didn’t last, and they went their separate ways in 2005. Jennifer revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair in 2016 that, despite the breakup, she always had dreams of having kids.
During a recent chat with interviewer Lacey Rose, Jennifer shared a funny moment she had with Gloria Steinem about the societal pressure on women to be married and have children to be considered valuable. Steinem’s witty response left Jennifer amused, saying, “I guess we’re in deep trouble.” Despite the pressure, Jennifer pointed out that icons like Dolly Parton manage to escape these expectations, avoiding being defined solely by their relationships or motherhood.
Jennifer highlighted the unfair double standard women face in relationships, where men are often celebrated for having multiple marriages to younger women while women are scrutinized for doing the same. In Jennifer’s words, men can keep getting married to women in their 20s or 30s without judgment, while women are frowned upon for the same behavior.
Aniston opened up about her challenging relationship with her mother in 2015, sharing that she had faced a lot of criticism from her growing up. Despite this, she acknowledged the importance of maintaining a sense of mystery in the public eye while still living authentically. The actress admitted that the pandemic had actually made it easier for her to disengage, as she now dealt more with agoraphobia. Instead of going out to dinner, she preferred having friends come over to her place. Aniston also mentioned her preference for restaurants that required proof of vaccination, emphasizing the importance of keeping people safe and healthy. Despite facing backlash for her views, she stood firm in her belief that everyone should take steps to prevent the spread of illness.
When asked about handling the pressures of fame without falling into a public meltdown like some other female entertainers, Jennifer recalled a difficult relationship with her mother as a formative experience. She believes her ability to stay strong comes from the amazing support system she has been blessed with, including close friends like Courteney Cox, Jason Bateman, and Jimmy Kimmel.
Jennifer also shared that she learned from her late mother Nancy Dow’s tendency to embrace victimhood, an example she refuses to follow. She finds that mindset toxic and damaging to one’s inner being and soul, vowing never to let herself succumb to it.
Jennifer shared how her late mother, Nancy Dow, was known for holding onto grudges, which she found to be quite petty. Instead of wallowing at home after her mother’s passing in 2016, Jennifer chose to channel her energy into creative pursuits, jokingly crediting filming “The Break-Up” for helping her thrive.
In the past, Jennifer revealed that her mother, an actress, was overly critical of her appearance during her younger years, as she didn’t match up to Dow’s model-like beauty. Despite their strained relationship in the 1990s, things worsened when Dow released a memoir that strained their bond. However, they eventually reconciled after Jennifer’s divorce from Brad Pitt in 2005.
In 2015, Jennifer tied the knot with actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux, but unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 2017. Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer, like many others, found solace in cooking. Surprisingly, she discovered a newfound love for cooking and didn’t get bored of it quickly.
Relaxing and enjoying life: She confessed that she rekindled her love for pasta during the initial days of the pandemic, after focusing on honing her cooking skills. To her, carbs are not something to fear.
While learning to cook wasn’t her strong suit, she managed to whip up eggs in various ways and rediscovered her passion for pasta. She emphasized that carbohydrates shouldn’t be demonized.
Aside from her culinary adventures, she kept busy with exercise, meditation, and deep conversations while staying at home. Participating in weekly Zoom gatherings where deep philosophical discussions took place became a routine for her.
Reflecting on the recent Friends reunion with the original cast, Jennifer mentioned that they were initially hesitant until director Ben Winston worked his magic and put them at ease. She speculated that his talent and charm played a role in winning them over.
Jennifer admitted that revisiting the past and reliving the most challenging moments of her life during the reunion was a tough experience. She expressed that time travel, in a sense, can be emotionally taxing.
Aniston shared with the magazine that her late mother Nancy Dow had a tendency to embrace victimhood, which she viewed as something she never wanted to replicate in her own life. She reflected on how the focus on celebrities’ personal lives has shifted from mainstream media to everyday individuals on social media platforms. Aniston expressed her confusion over the harsh behavior of online trolls who are given a platform to bully others and wondered what satisfaction they derive from it.
Light-heartedly, Aniston addressed the ongoing rumors surrounding her personal life, including speculation about twins and becoming a mother at 52. She expressed her enthusiasm for taking a break from the intense second season of her show The Morning Show to work on the comedy sequel Murder Mystery 2 alongside her longtime friend Adam Sandler.
Aniston fondly recalled her enduring friendship with Sandler and reminisced about a time when he and David Spade arranged a meeting between her and Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels, which she turned down due to concerns about how women were treated on the show. Despite this initial hesitation, Aniston later went on to host SNL multiple times.
Love Story: Jennifer began dating actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux in 2011, and the couple tied the knot in 2015. However, their marriage came to an end in 2017 (as seen in the photo from that year).
