I really didn’t understand why this story – and speculation and denials of this story – became a thing in the wake of Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s engagement announcement. Allegedly, Justin Theroux proposed to Jennifer on HIS birthday, which was last Friday. JustJen waited another 48 hours (approximately) to announce it (via his rep) to People Mag and other outlets. 48 hours is definitely enough time to notify your loved ones and BFFs that your man proposed… so I guess that’s the controversy? In any case, when Celebuzz contacted Jennifer’s father, John Aniston, about her engagement, John told Celebuzz that he had no idea:
Jennifer Aniston‘s engagement to Justin Theroux shocked most in Hollywood. But none more so than her father, John Aniston, who only learned of the couple’s news when Celebuzz contacted him late Sunday.
The veteran Days of Our Lives actor, 79, was not aware that actor-screenwriter Theroux, 41, had proposed to his daughter on the North Carolina set of her new film, We’re the Millers, on August 10.
“It’s the first I’ve heard about it,” the stunned, yet thrilled, soap star said, in an exclusive interview. “It’s a surprise to me. I’ll have to look online. When I find out more, I guess I’ll tell you!”
I didn’t really think much of this either way – Jennifer has never seemed incredibly tight with either of her parents, although I think she and her father have grown closer, especially in the past decade. But it’s not like she’s some dewy 22-year-old, engaged for the first time to a dreamy young beau – this will be Jennifer’s second time around the block, and I gave her a pass on the whole “she didn’t tell her dad” thing. Which makes it extra weird that Jennifer’s rep went to Us Weekly to “correct” the record on the whole “Did John Aniston know?!” question:
No, Jennifer Aniston did not keep her dear old dad in the dark about her very happy recent news. When news broke Sunday night that the 43-year-old star is now engaged to Justin Theroux — reps for both Aniston and Theroux confirmed to Us Weekly — her father, John Aniston, claimed ignorance to Celebuzz.
“It’s the first I’ve heard about it,” the Days of Our Lives actor, 79, is quoted as saying. “It’s a surprise to me.”
But the truth is more complicated than that, Jennifer Aniston’s rep explains exclusively to Us. Her father knew about the engagement prior to Sunday night’s big announcement — but was wary of accidentally letting the secret slip.
He “thought he was being trapped on the phone so played dumb to be safe,” the rep explains exclusively to Us.
Is this version possible? Sure. But I ask again: why does it matter? What’s the BFD? She’s 43 years old. She doesn’t need her dad’s permission or blessing, and considering they might not be all that close (once again, that’s just how it seems to me), I don’t understand why we have to be “sold” this super-precious version of events in which America’s Perpetual Wronged Woman gets to tell her dad that someone gave her a ring. Unless it’s to underline the point that Jennifer’s nemesis, THE LEG, is not very close to her dad, Jon “The Leg’s Father” Voight. In which case… I don’t even know.
Oh, but Jennifer totally did NOT inform her mother, Nancy Dow. Nancy and Jennifer were estranged for years and years – and once again, that’s nothing I’m going to slam Jennifer about. Nancy Dow seems like a piece of work, a really manipulative wannabe stage-mother. But Jennifer and Nancy reportedly “reconciled” years ago… and Nancy only found out about Jennifer’s engagement through the media too.
A “family friend” told Radar, “Nancy is absolutely delighted Jennifer is going to marry Justin. The first she learned of the engagement though was last night after an official announcement had been made to the press. She had an inkling that Jennifer was happy and that she was ready to settle down – but because she’s pretty much estranged from her daughter she only learns bits and pieces through Jennifer’s half-brother John Melick. They haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, but Nancy only wants the best for her daughter. When Nancy had a stroke she had the pleasure of meeting Justin when he visited her in hospital with Jennifer. He brought her flowers, was very caring and Nancy thought he was a true gentleman. Nancy believes Justin is good for Jennifer, lets her be herself and their relationship is the real deal.” Radar goes on to claim that Justin and Jennifer “rushed” to Nancy bedside last year when Nancy had a stroke, although that’s not how I remember it. I’m sure my memory is just faulty, though.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Are we really supposed to care that much? We don’t know what goes on in their family. For all we know they may have had a bust up or she just couldn’t be bothered. Some people have über tight relationships with their parents, others don’t. Is this supposed to fill in for the upcoming ‘bouquets at dawn’ stories the rags are preparing to run? ’cause it’s not doing the job.
Frankly you are right. Its a family thing and noone needs to know or care about it.
But you completely missed Kaiser’s point. The fact that the rep was made to issue a public statement about it is what’s interesting. It’s like trying to maintain a wholesome traditional father-daughter-soninlaw scenario. But I’m not surprised. All Aniston’s pr always make her life look so cliched and scripted. As opposed to a woman who got crucified (and occasionally still gets) because she does n’t have a publicist who denies ever single rumour about her, and funnily, then again gets some more because she doesn’t have a rep, so she’s being a manipulator.
Disclaimer: I only brought ‘the leg’ in because it made an appearance in the writeup.
Hi, Diana! Sorry, I was out and about most of the day yesterday. I replied in the previous thread, already. How are you today? Hope everything is good. 🙂
Regarding the article…IMHO, I think they didn’t tell her father about the engagement. If they let him know before the media, surely they would also give him a heads up on how to answering the media’s question—-in the best way possible.
The best and perfect answer should be that he knows already about it and happy about it, so there isn’t any loophole for a gossip that people can make about the engagement.
Regarding the needs to tell your family or not about the engagement when you’re more older and age-wise, well…that depends on the people and the culture.
Hi Rhea,
Everything’s great. Hope you are well 🙂 Went back and read your reply. Thanks a lot 🙂
Completely agree.
My dad found out I was married when he got his Christmas card with a wedding pic in it. It wasn’t a big deal. It’s the relationship we had.
For me, this just hammers home the point that Jen’s Team will deny the smallest thing … and yet they never ever have denied the rumors that Jen and Justin got together WAY before last June except for ”Uhm oh no, it wasn’t June … did we say June? It was really ‘May’ when they got together. LOL! Silly us!’
Only Justin’s ‘friends’ tried to deny it, but that stopped when that late April picture of Heidi and Justin out on a date.
I personally think Jen’s camp didn’t deny it because too many of the cast and crew knew what really went down on the set, and they were afraid someone would call them out on a formal denial.
I still can’t believe Jen flew to New York City just to avoid visiting her mom in the hospital. In spite of her mother’s nasty ways, I think dodging the responsibility says more about Jen than her mom.
Having said all that? I am THRILLED beyond believe that Jen and Justin are getting married. At last those clinging ties that bind will finally be cut. Jen? You go girl! Live your life on your own terms … the key words here are ‘on your own.’
I think he knew
Maybe pops is as tired of hearing about his baby girl and her conquests/breakups/exes as I am?
‘Jennifer’s nemesis, THE LEG’
Too funny.
I know 🙂
The leg always has to sabotage every event, right?
“It’s a surprise to me. I’ll have to look online. When I find out more, I guess I’ll tell you!”
Please. He knew. And was just having a bit of fun with the media.
I’m bored with this engagement already. Just get married for God’s sake and spare us months and months of this.
@Guesto
No Guesto thats whats called is an honest reply , he was honest enough to let them know he was non the wiser about this situation.but i agree with you she needs to get married KNOW cant waite to see how the kids look like..
Not how I read it. But I’m not arguing over it. Too pointless.
of course she didnt tell her father he was the last to know, she was so desprate to announce her happy news to the media first as she didnt want to miss the deadline of Brads satarday wedding did she. so dady has to wait who care as far as she is concerned dady Huvane knows thats all that counts.
+1
Media first. Always. Got to grab the headline from the Brangelina wedding.
There was no wedding. Jolie was filming in the UK, something easily verified by both tabloids and PR people.
+2.. of course he didn’t know. If anything, Daddy Aniston has always been honest. He said, she and Brad don’t speak and hasn’t for years. However, the hens insist they are friends. I’ve always said they are PR friendly..Daddy Aniston also said she wasn’t moving to NYC permanently before she sold the apartments, which turned out to be true. However, the spin was NYC has become a fishbowl so she had to move back to LA.
Yes she is 43 years old and doesn’t have to to tell her father but you would think they would tell him before People Magazine. Lainey said ” they needed to make this weeks tab covers and try to compete with he buzz on JP’s supposed wedding.
I’m starting to believe the rumour that Huvane was more upset that Brad hooked-up and had babies with Angie. I think JA is his drugged out-alcoholic puppet.
Daddy Aniston, if asked will give you
the real lowdown.
Since I didn’t contribute to the cattiness of the engagement thread, I feel fine adding to this debate. No, I don’t think she told her father and that he was caught off-guard. While it’s true that she’s 43 and not a dewy, new bride (although some have carried on like Justin’s proposal was her revirginification), the fact remains that she uses her father to amp up her narrative. Her ‘forgiveness’ of his infidelity and subsequent departure from his marriage and her irritation at her mother’s inability to let it go seem fortuitous, when it came to how she handled Brad giving her the deuces. She was so cool accepting a male’s frailty and there Brad went not giving her the chance to demonstrate her coolness by going to and staying with Angelina, hence Angelina became the uncool one.
Plus, omitting John from this particular bit of happy news is reminiscent of Courteney Cox during this whole courtship. As many have pointed out, Chelsea Hellhound has been the hypeman regarding this relationship, whereas Courteney would’ve likely been neutral and diplomatic, a position she took when Aniston’s marriage broke up and all of the subsequent relationships she had. And for that matter, John was pretty diplomatic when the marriage broke up. Who knows – maybe Aniston is not sure which playbook to use anymore – the diplomatic, take the high road one that was characterized by the presence of Courteney and John Aniston or the ratchet, passive-aggressive, bravado-heavy, smack-talking book, characterized by Handler.
Myself, I think it’s pretty crumby if she didn’t give her father a head’s up, especially if she is on good terms with him. And yeah, it’s also crumby if Nancy isn’t even on the guest list. She used her mother’s stroke as a sympathy ploy/bonding ritual with Justin, used their reconciliation post-divorce as a growth exercise, and yet, there’s a question about her being invited?
After 7 years divorced from Brad Pitt, Aniston is still stalking him, how sad. People on the news aree asking the same question, why now? When Brad and Angie is going to get married, and they are check the Sun newspaper. The jeweler delivered two rings valued at 500,000.00 a piece with wedding vows encripted in the inside, and they are having champagne delivered. Spokes person for the Italian village where you have to get married said they are. Of course Aniston knows probably have an insider in the family, said so from the jump. I don’t know why Aniston is trying to upstage them,give it a rest get a life, Brad Pitt your greatest love is not coming back!
Actually, it’s France, not Italy. If you’re going to go full-on crazy with this, you need to pay more attention to actual details and not just concentrate on the stuff you make up in your head.
The Sun has never told the truth Brad’s parents were never in France.
They mayor didn’t say they were getting married.He said this weekend would make more sense than last weekend since they hadn’t registered at town hall as of August 10 th
For some reason I’m really flatline on this engagement. Sure hope it doesn’t rain the day of the wedding, we know what happens with umbrellas and these two.
Ahaha, I actually laughed at my desk.
You can believe with all of the negative attention he received about it, Justin won’t make THAT mistake again!! ;0)
But it was profoundly telling….
@autumndaze: jinx! Didn’t jen say of John Mayer that “that man won’t make that mistake again?”
Random observation: I think the relevance of the father of the bride knowing beforehand may be to quash the idea that it’s commitment-shotgunny-contracty. Which we will lIkely never know … But the pesky meme’s there.
My main takeaway from all this? Whew, glad I’m not famous. Life’s complicated as it is.
Her Dad’s answer was that of an old pro with the media. Her Mom’s? Wanting to talk a lot about something she knew nothing about because it makes her important for a few minutes.
Any news on the ring yet? Sightings?
Really, this is the only important question.
Where is the ring? lol
It is! I’m dying to see what he chose. I doubt he went for blingy bling or launched himself into some design project. Antique? Diamonds or not? (I’d say not, at least as the main stone). What colour stone and why?
I totally believe her dad knew but didn’t want to be the one to break the story, so to speak. Also I would suspect with Justin’s hipster ways that he would have approached her dad before proposing.
I’m just wondering when the crazy is going to hit this thread today…
It already has. 😉
This is still fairly tame. No accusations of Aniston apologists yet! Btw I agree with the comment you made above, that’s how I viewed this too.
Antique Labradorite and tourmaline !
When she was engaged to Brad she denied it for a long time and only confirmed it a week or so before the wedding. This time around she is going to really enjoy the attention. For someone who talks about being so into family Jennifer seems to have major problems with hers’. I just hope this is over soon why not a double wedding with Brad and The Leg? Save us all some time and money.
They are a boring couple.
Her rep responds to the silliest, trivial BS yet after Fifteen months he never denied that Aniston start dating JT despite the fact he was in a relationship with Heidi Bivins.I was watching a lady w People mag on GMA she it will be interesting to see where they live because Justin is a New York guy., doesn’t like LA.It will be covered in their Engagement issue.I hope the cover doesn’t mention her husband.That”Five Years after Brad” issue was pathetic IMO
Dear God No. Make it stop. The insanity. The end.
They seem like a boring couple.
odd.. does anyone really care whether or not she told her dad?
If you look on the last Aniston article here, you will unfortunately see several posters going on and on about how she didn’t tell her Dad. So I guess so…
And apparently Aniston cared enough for her rep to issue a denial…
Personally, and I’m in no way speaking for Aniston, if people were insinuating that I had snubbed my Dad on something like this when I hadn’t (because he’s an important part of my life), I’d respond too. Aside from attending to how my relationship with my Dad would be treated by the press afterwarda, I’d be making a point of letting people know that he DID know, just because he’s important to me.
I buy that he was playing dumb so as not to spill the secret in case they hadn’t yet made it public.
Homely. Homelier. Homeliest.
If we only knew the real truth. :). Now the rumor is that her mother will be invited to the wedding. Don’t know about that one. To actually have ceremony planned that far in advance seems a little over the top to me.
You dodn’t need to have your wedding planned to know that your mother is invited?
She wasnt invited to her last wedding.
All this attention simply b/c she is America’s #1 victim.
I wonder if she realizes that no one would care about her engagement or life if she had not been married and then left by B.Pitt? No one cares about the rest of the Friend’s cast, although the other women were more beautiful & more talented.
She is not interesting enough to deserve the attention she gets. All I have seen her talk about is her hair, yoga, drinking and hair again.
Haven’t had my morning cup of joe, so I’ll just Word your post and go get one.
@dfdf – On the contrary, although I know and agree with the point you’re making, I would happily read a post about Courtney Cox or Lisa Kudrow long before I’d read one about Aniston. Far more attractive, interesting and rounded women. And Kudrow in particular is a really good actress and deserving of attention for that alone.
Aniston was the dullest ‘Friend’ and nothing much has changed since.
I’m so bored by Jen and what’s-his-name, her fiancee.
My guess is he knew, and was playing safe in case a tabloid was trying to trip him up. Jennifer fell out with her mother cause of an unwitting conversation she had over the phone with a tabloid reporter. Nancy pretty much went in on it in her subsequent book. Anyway it ought to be a family affair, John does not owe us an explanation I don’t think
John Aniston strikes me as a self-made “Man’s Man”.
Before pursuing a career in acting he served as a Naval Intelligence Officer for years during the Korean War, so I doubt that anything escapes him.
I’m sure he wants what’s best for his daughter and can’t imagine he’s too enthused about having Justin Theroux as his Son-in-Law.
Did he not say something to the effect that he liked and approved of Theroux at some point in the last 6 months or so? I seem to remember something along those lines.
Better Justin than Mayer
What’s he supposed to say publicly?
Privately I’m sure he’s concerned about Theroux’s history and questions his motives.
i just do’nt get it – he’s just not attractive, he’s weird looking.
and he doesn’t look like he has much of a package
The close-up shots are not kind to Justin.
He needs to stop messing around with his face. In the ceremony photos he almost looks as though he’s been embalmed.
He looks spa’d and exfoliated. Facial massage for a couple of hours, which is better than botox…
Lots of us actually pick partners based on substance, and not looks. Hard to fathom, I know, but there it is.
+ one million.
Ever go to your high school reunion and see what became of the football star or the popular girls and then thank your lucky stars you chose the guy or girl who was smart, made you laugh and who’s hotness potential you saw years before anyone else did?
They all get old, fat and go through mid-life crisis one day. You’re a lot better going through that with someone who has intelligence and humour rather than just ego…
I can believe he didn’t know. It’s been more about show than tell with these two. Justin doesn’t quite tell Heidi he’s moved on, but those coupley pics from Uncle Terry sure do get the point across. Must make the Sunday news cycle so dad isn’t given a call to share their good news. So…yes, I do believe John Aniston wasn’t told. In the end, though, doesn’t really matter. I doubt they make it down the aisle.
as long as dady huvane knows ho cares about the real dad also uncle terry is there to get his lense out for our sweet jen
i wonder if Justins parents know are they kept in dark like jens dad.
good point. funny how he was with Heidi for 11 yrs and now he’s with Aniston for X amt of months and is ready to run down the isle. He obviously likes being a kept man.
Congrats to Jen and Justin! I prefer to call them Jenstin.
Jens dad has been told to change the story as the first one came out as cold harted a daughter doesnt tell her parents that she’s engaged ..so know daddy dearest is saying he knew it he was just playing dumb for the media Really why would you do that ? oh dear and now thet are saying mummy nancy has been thrown a bone she’s invited people ahh bliss Uncle terry will be able to capture the happy event and dont for get justins parents if he has any never seen them ..
*yawn*
I see where she gets her chin; good luck to the happy couple (Jen and Squiggy)
Love me some Victor Kiriakas!
Tryin to upstaage the Brange. Marraige is a beautiful thing but marry for the wron reason is ugly. Go to Hello Magazine people, Brad and Angie really is goping to get married this coming week-end that is why crazy announced he engagement, trying to up=stage the Brangie, marry for love not to out do your ex, if JA is so in love with this guy who ever he is, why is Brad Pitt so much on JA mind that she has to announce her engagement when he is tying the knot with his true love, she’s jealous. Don’t believe me go to Hello Magazine Brad and Angie ismarried this weekend the mayor of the town has just announced it. I can’t wait to see their wedding pictures!
So if Brange don’t marry this weekend will you admit you are wrong?
I don’t care so much whether she told her Dad or not but rather the implications if he really didn’t know . . . and I believe he didn’t. Also his response – about going online . . . what’s wrong with a “no comment.”
The timeline seems to be that reporters asked him AFTER the news broke, so if he knew about the engagement, he’d also know when he could talk about it and when not. So that implies to me that Jen didn’t tell him . . . why? Maybe because they’re not close or maybe because as a few of you have said he’s not the “catch” that would make daddy proud. Even if I had the most strained relationship with my parents, if I was really proud of the guy I was marrying, I’d be running to tell them, and have them shout it from the rooftops. Something about this announcement seems . . . rushed and not well planned . . .
Yep. I think you are on to something there.
well, Life and Style magazine says Jen’s ring is an 8 carat emerald cut diamond…Angie wins!!!
Wonder what she paied for the “ring”
PS My 70 year old parents dress alike
lol !!!
Emerald cut ? She can`t do any thing
unique…Loser
If you’re referring to Jolie’s ring, the stones are not emerald cut.
Her fans maintained that she DID NOT have to have a man to be happy and was living a great single life. Not all woman want to be married and have a family.
Now she gets engaged or at least is reported to be and they think it is the best thing ever.
What gives? Either she wants a man and marriage or is happy being free and single. All her girlfriends were not enough.
No one gets engaged to remain single, so admit it. She has wanted this all along and her created life IS pathetic as a sad loser who gets dumped on the regular. This man will do her no favors once he’s done with her and neither will her fans.
Enough of her antics and back and forth mess.
Have you ever had that thing where you you are happy with one state of matter and then happy with another? I was happy single, then happy to find someone that I fell in love with. You can (and do!) trash Aniston for many things, but being happy single and happy in a relationship isn’t a rational one. Nor dissing people that feel happy for someone that’s happy in whichever state suits at the time (I like to call them ‘humans’).
Also I object to your nick, because I identify as Christian and although Christians aren’t meant to be perfect, they are meant to try. Even just a little. Go on – give it a shot.
Oh, I should say, unless your name is actually Christian, and you are pointing out that you’re a girl. In capitals. Because if that were the case – phew! Would my face be red!
Congrats to Justin for winning the lotery…nothing better than a ticket for the good life when you are a semi successful 40 something actor.
Daddy Huvane will probably make that ironclad prenup.
Christian Girl – yeah but her detractors claim she is the perpetual victim even though shes had multiple relationships since then and not remotely acting like a victim. Rather someone who really enjoys life & laughing. So to YOU which is it to be.
Aniston has brought up her marriage/divorce in almost every interview for 8 years. If you honestly think she hasn’t played the victim, when even the media and fans have commented on her milking it, then you must be living in a different reality.
Look people see what they want to see so I guess yeah you n me ARE living in a paralell universe…..which figures as these conversations are usually a bit spaced out anyways.
But then again I’m not a Jen Anistion pr/victim conspiracy theorist.
Cant you just be happy for her just this once and realise ALL celebs play the game these days, they have to or they’re out.
Lol, you Jenloons are so desperate to believe any positive spin, even at the
expense of common sense. If you had followed her father’s career and him as a person, you’d know that he has always been straight out honest and told the truth, like he did with Pitt and Aniston not speaking. John has never been one to bs or joke around. If he knew, he’d say. The man did not know.
Never mind the fact that John, an always honest and straight forward man in interviews, never lies or jokes arounds. Also never mind the fact that Jennifer doesn’t even have anything to do with her half brother or any of her extended family. Also never mind the very telling fact that Jennifer doesn’t even spend THANKSGIVING with her own father or family, instead preferring to spend it with Chelsea Handler. The evidence that Jennifer is not a family woman, is very strong. She ignores her family and extended family and won’t even spend Thanksgiving with her father, but, SOMEHOW, you think her father lied when he said he didn’t know?
Logic truly does go straight out the window with defensive fanatism when it comes to this woman.