Wow, I was just hit with a heavy wave of nostalgia. Remember when Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston had a thing? It was circa 2010, when they were promoting The Bounty Hunter. In retrospect, I think Aniston and Butler were hitting it for a time but it wasn’t really a relationship per se. It was more like the occasional Butler-ing, which… I mean, back then, I liked him so maybe I didn’t want to admit it. Post-Port-o-potty, not so much. But back then, he was fun and I would imagine it was probably a fun post-John Mayer fling for Aniston. Allegedly, Aniston and Butler remained friends so whatever happened between them didn’t leave any bad feelings.
I bring this up because The Butler made a surprise appearance in the latest “Jennifer and Justin Theroux are almost over” story in this week’s In Touch Weekly. By now I’m sure you’ve heard that JustJen came out for some pre-Oscar festivities, by way of CAA’s annual pre-Oscar party last Saturday night. Justin and Jennifer held hands and looked “happy” and “sources” were sure to tell every major media outlet about that happiness. Justin flew to LA last week, and it was the first time he and Aniston had been in the same city since December (reportedly). So, all is well in JustJen Land. Except In Touch Weekly says that no, Justin still has “one foot out the door” and that Jennifer has been crying on a certain Scotsman’s shoulder. Ooooh… I hope this is true!
It was a rare sight: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux arm-in-arm at a major Hollywood event, after staying apart for two months. Justin missed Jennifer’s 45th birthday and Valentine’s Day, but Justin made sue to return to LA for the Motion Picture & TV Fund’s annual Night Before party.
“They were both flashing big smiles,” says an onlooker. “They seemed happy.”
In reality, they’re far from it. While Justin beamed and worked the room with Jen, a source reveals Justin has been making friends think he and Jen are all but over. “He’s hinting the wedding will not happen,” says an insider. “He’s never been the marrying kind… it seems like he’s moving on.”
Justin’s been happily living the life of a bachelor in NYC for two months, hitting the town with pals and staying at the one-bedroom apartment he lived in before Jen came along. Meanwhile, Jennifer was reportedly leaving on an old flame in LA. In recent weeks, lonely Jen has met up with Gerard Butler for drinks and lunches. But she’s still desperate to make it work Justin, says a source: “She’s extremely clingy. She won’t give up easily.”
But Justin has already gotten all he can out of the relationship – like a red-hot career. “Justin’s whole life changed when he got involved with Jen… he knew exactly what he was getting into. He’s at the top of his game, thanks in large part to Jen.” Justin is headlining HBO’s The Leftovers and he’s also written the sequel to Zoolander. “Since his star has risen, he’s been pulling away from her emotionally.”
Another red flag? Justin’s comments about commitment. “At a recent gathering, he said, ‘I’m just not that into family,’” reveals the source, who believes Justin meant he didn’t want to have kids with Jen, something she’s always longed for. “Her friends don’t think his cavalier attitude is good for her. But for Jen, not being alone trumps any issues she’s having with a guy.”
But, “Justin has checked out and has been acting like a single guy. The passion has cooled for him. It’s clear the relationship will end soon.”
[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]
Do I believe every word of this In Touch story? Eh. I believe the essence of it, mostly because that’s the vibe I get from their relationship too: that Justin used Jennifer to get famous and that he’s sort of over it. I was genuinely surprised that Jen and Justin didn’t make a big show at some of the Oscar parties, like the Vanity Fair party or even Madonna’s party. I also want to see what People Magazine has to say about Jennifer and Justin… for now, everything is suspiciously quiet as far as “official” leaks from Team JustJen to the celebrity magazine of record.
Also: I would love it if Jennifer and Gerard Butler had a repeat of their 2010 mess. I kind of think they belong together now.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
JenDolphin better stock up on Aveeno. Or something stronger. If she’s gonna start hanging with Butler again she’s gonna get some contact rashes for sure.
Did anyone land pictures of them at this party? Just curious about what her black cocktail dress looked like.
Oh snap! Good one~
ONe of her fans posted it on JJ. it was a black strapless IIRC… no extension. meh
What a brilliant idea to cry on Gerard’s shoulder about your boyfriend.
Heheheh… Is there any snark left after that comment?
LOL. I hope so…
So the lust/love has fizzled out after 2 years… oh well.
wtf is wearing that lady in shimmering brown behind Justin in the last pic?????
looks a bit like suede and saran wrap, either that or a baked potato.
ahahah!! Definetely a baked potato!
I also thought it was an odd look. My first thought was – Oh she must have sewn it herself. And it has dowdy sleeves. Then I looked again and noted that whatever is wrapped around her neck is also used as inserts at the bottom of the dress. Definitely a home ec project. (anyone remember what Home Ec is?)
I remember!! My sewing projects were all disasters.
It seems that all Jen’s movies have been stinkers and she still gets work. That’s amazing.
this 1,000%!
Three of her last four movies have made over 100 million domestically, though (Millers did something like 150 million). They may not be good movies, but they made bank.
Didnt Hollywood Reporter or some such trade publication do a piece on this? Shes smart about her projects. She picks small films, keeps her salary in the 5M neighbourhood and her base does the rest. Most if not all her films make cash apparently. Not Bullock or Jolie profits but enough that a studio with 15M to spend feel far more confident with her than most of the younger actresses. Also her Overseas Take is pretty solid.
Come on, jolie movie is gennerally not profitable. She a bigger celeb for her personal life and humanitarian. But she has quite many flops
@t
Angelina’s film BO
Hackers*(ensemble): Budget–N/A
Domestic– $7,563,728
Foxfire*(ensemble): Budget–N/A
Domestic– $269,300
Love Is All There Is*: Budget–N/A
Domestic– $61,875
Playing God*: Budget–N/A
Domestic– $4,166,918
Playing By Heart*: Budget– $20 million
Domestic– $3,970,078
Didn’t make its budget back
Pushing Tin*(ensemble): Budget– $33 million
Domestic– $8,408,835
Didn’t make its budget back
The Bone Collector(costar):Budget–$73 million
Worldwide– $151,493,655
Made 2.01 times its budget
Hell’s Kitchen*: Budget–$6 million
Domestic– $11,710
Didn’t make its budget
Girl, Interrupted(costar): Budget–$40 million
Worldwide– $48,350,205
Made 1.2 times its budget–got her an Oscar though
Gone in 60 Seconds(ensemble): Budget– $90 million
Worldwide– $237,202,299
Made 2.63 times its budget
Tomb Raider(lead): Budget–: $115 million
Worldwide–$274,703,340
Made 2.38 times its budget
Original Sin(costar): Budget–$42 million
Worldwide– $35,402,320
Didn’t make its budget back
Life or Something Like it(costar): Budget–$40 million
Worldwide– $16,872,671
Didn’t make its budget back
Tomb Raider 2(LEAD): Budget– $95 million
Worldwide–$156,505,388
Made 1.64 times its budget
Beyond Borders(costar): Budget– $35 million
Worldwide– $11,705,002
Didn’t make its budget back
Taking Lives(costar): Budget– $45 million
Worldwide– $65,470,529
Made 1.45 times its budget
Skype Captain(cameo): Budget– $70 million
Worldwide–$57,958,696
Didn’t make its budget back
Shark Tale(ensemble): Budget–$75 million
Worldwide–$367,275,019
Made 4.89 times its budget
Alexander(ensemble): Budget–$155 million
Worldwide– $167,298,192
Made 1.07 times its budget
Mr. and Mrs. Smith(Costar): Budget– $110 million
Worldwide–$478,207,520
Made 4.34 times its budget
The Good Shepherd(ensemble): Budget–N/A
Worldwide–$99,480,480
A Mighty Heart(LEAD): Budget–$16 million
Worldwide: $18,935,657
Made 1.18 times its budget
Beowulf(cameo–she was in the movie for about 6 min.): Budget–$150 million
Worldwide:$196,393,745
Made 1.3 times its budget
Kung Fu Panda(ensemble): Budget–$130 million
Worldwide– $631,744,560
Made 4.85 times its budget
Wanted(costar/support): Budget–$75 million
Worldwide–$341,433,252
Made 4.55 times its budget
Changeling(LEAD): Budget– $55 million
Worldwide–$113,020,256
Made 2.05 times its budget
Salt(LEAD): Budget– $110 million
Worldwide–$293,503,354
Made 2.66 times its budget
The Tourist(costar): Budget– $100 million
Worldwide– $278,346,189
Made 2.78 times its budget
Kung Fu Panda 2(ensemble): Budget– $150 million
Worldwide–$665,692,281
Made 4.43 times its budget
In The Land of Blood and Honey*(director): Budget–N/A
Domestic– $303,877
*I’m going to assume these are indie films being that they only have a domestic box office
————————————–
Okay, out of the 30 films that Angelina has made, 8 of them were indie films, 6 of those films with no apparent budget.
Out of 30 films, she’s had six films(Playing By Heart, Pushing Tin, Hell’s Kitchen, Life or Something Like It, Original Sin, and Sky Captain) that didn’t make back its budget—three of which were indie films (Playing By Heart, Pushing Tin, Hell’s Kitchen).
Out of 30 films she’s had 6 so-so films (ones that didn’t make at least twice its budget)—Girl, Interrupted (she got an Oscar though), Tomb Raider 2, Taking Lives, Alexander, A Mighty Heart (critical acclaim), and Beowulf (cameo–she was in the movie for about six minutes)—in three of those films she was the lead, and in one of them, I don’t think they expected it to make a ton of money (A Mighty Heart).
Out of 30 films, she’s had 11 films that made over twice their budget
In conclusion, 17/30 films we know were profitable, while we don’t know the budgets for 6/30 of the films, and she’s only had 3/30 films (that were not indie films) that didn’t make back their budgets.
Another way to put this–she wouldn’t be hauling in 20+ million for Maleficent or Unbroken….if she wasn’t profitable.
Source: Box Office Mojo
Haha! Panda and mrs smith are probably the most profitable, but it was not about jolie ´the actress´. I gave her Salt.
jolie is never box office draw like bullock, roberts or lawrence, though she always tries to make herself one.
But she is worth 20mil. Think about the money they could save for publicity for having her in their movie.
jolie is a pr genius
Her most profitable films have been The Bone Collector, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Tomb Raider, Shark Tale, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Kung Fu Panda 1&2, Wanted, Changeling, Salt, and The Tourist—she was the lead/costar in The Bone Collector, Tomb Raider, MAMS, Wanted, Changeling, Salt, and The Tourist—all of the films listed made over twice their BO.
So you saying that she isn’t a box office draw is false–obviously she is, otherwise they wouldn’t be paying her 20+ million a film–obviously they think that it’s money well spent. She’s only ever really had 3 ‘big budget’ films fail to at least make back its money–when she was shouldering the film (something like Beowulf doesn’t count because she was only in the movie for five minutes).
And she is a pr genius–she doesn’t pay someone to do her press–she handles it herself.
Whoa. Jolies Box Office seems alot less impressive than I had thought. Most of her big profits are ensemble movies or easily explained by a big name director (Eastwood) or big costar (Pitt, Depp). Salt was on her though. But contrasting this with Bullock and Sandra is far more impressive. Shes carried her hits mostly alone and shes still killing it even though shes 12 years older. My apologies to Bullock stans for my earlier mistake.
Virgillia, try do similar stats with julia roberts, sandra , diaz or lawrence, you may understand what i mean. Sorry, but jolie bigger achievements are brad and humanitarian. She tried to be a box office queen, but she doesnt really have ít. Ofcourse she has her hits just like some other actresses. Even megan fox or stewards has impressive bo results if you know what i mean
You really don’t need to do so much work, you could just list their box office average and their lifetime gross-
Jennifer-
Lifetime Gross Total (25): $1,410,376,867
Average: $56,415,075
Opening Gross Average (20): $18,760,616 (Wide Releases Only)
Angelina-
Lifetime Gross Total (28): $1,578,564,032
Average: $56,377,287
Opening Gross Average (22): $21,184,026 (Wide Releases Only)
Sandra-
Lifetime Gross Total (33): $2,116,327,869
Average: $64,131,148
Opening Gross Average (24): $17,203,511 (Wide Releases Only)
Now investment-wise you get more publicity and a bigger name with Angelina. Jennifer is cheaper and her movie budgets are lower. But Sandra is the one who is truly box office gold in my opinion.
@Lucy …
Jennifer Lawrence (whom I love!) has co-starred in one profitable film … “The Siliver Linings Playbook” … and has been part of two ensemble profitable films … “X-Men: First Class” and “American Hustle.”
The “Hunger Games” had a built-in audience from an International best selling novel (just like that horrible “Twilight” book series and “Marley and Me”) and therefore doesn’t really count in this conversation, because ‘any body’ could have played Katniss. When my girl Jennifer can carry a film on her own with profit (and I’m betting she soon will), she’ll be worthy to be in the company of Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock. But she isn’t at this time.
Well I think that you should also take into account the genre of the film—action films and comedies/romantic comedies are easily the three biggest genres. That’s ALL my local movie theater plays (and it’s the only theater around–I’d have to go three hours to go to a diff. theater)….comedies/romantic comedies don’t take much to make, so it’s easier to recoup the budget multiple times.
And unless your name is Spielberg, a dramatic film isn’t going to make over a couple hundred million. I thought that was kind of the point–make the generic rom coms, comedies, action films, to fund the dramas.
With the exception of Tomb Raider 2, AJ has always made at least double the budget with her action films–which generally have big budgets, but are also popular.
I would expect Sandra Bullock to have a bigger bang for her buck, at least against Angelina, because a big chunk of her films are romantic comedies–which I think she’s really good at (just saw Two Weeks Notice again)—but those kinds of films don’t take much money, and they’re popular. Maid in Manhattan (which I love) was #1 on its opening weekend–I highly doubt anyone thinks that movie is amazing.
I like that you can see AJ’s interests reflected in her film choices–after Tomb Raider she did films that appealed to her humanitarian side, and the fact that she had a child now.
@ Virgilia C. the majority of people that saw the big box office draws that Jolie was in did so because of the movie and not because they wanted to see Angelina Jolie.
I don’t think your statistics are valid in this regards to showing she is a box office draw. Especially the animated movies people see them because they are family friendly, they are cute and entertaining. I highly doubt anyone said, “Angelina is voicing in this movie. Let’s go hear Angelina’s voice!”
@Emma – the JP Lover , that’s Jennifer Aniston’s BO average. I didn’t mean Lawrence.
But for fun:
Jennifer Lawrence-
Lifetime Gross Total (11): $1,300,845,040
Average: $118,258,640
Opening Gross Average (4): $94,499,718 (Wide Releases Only)
@VC, Why on earth would the genre matter? We’re talking about what stars are most bankable I thought, not what films you enjoy or what interest their choices reflect. And most studios don’t see a profit until a movie makes 2.5 x it’s budget back, and they make even less if it doesn’t do well domestically.
“With the exception of Tomb Raider 2, AJ has always made at least double the budget with her action films–which generally have big budgets, but are also popular.”
With the exception of the animated movies, that’s not true at all according to your own previous post. I count 12 out of 28 of her movies that made money, and 4 of those were animated, and another 2 were based on a very popular gaming character.
@Addison, spot on.
@TC
It matters when talking about BO revenue because romcoms are much more popular than indie thriller films that Angelina has appeared in so you cannot compare Angelina’s career to someone like Sandra Bullock whose main income has come from rc’s. If Angelina wasn’t a box office draw they wouldn’t be using just her name and the title on her upcoming film Maleficient. She has turned down roles as she is moving toward directing and schedules have clashed as she has stated that she and Brad don’t work at the same time, so I would imagine if she filmed 2/3/4 smaller budget films a year her BO would be more profitable therefore you would assume she is a bigger draw.
Thank you, Eva. That’s what I was saying. Sandra and Jennifer make, mainly romantic comedies or just straight out comedies–which don’t take a lot of money or time to make. So if that’s all they do–then they *can* film 2-3 of them a year, if they wanted to. Films like that are also a lot more popular in movie theaters, especially in small towns. I live in a small town–the only other movie theater that I can go to is three hours away. My movie theater plays generic romantic comedies, comedies, some action, and franchise films i.e. Harry Potter, Twilight. The last Angelina Jolie movie they played here was ‘Salt’…..they didn’t even play ‘Gravity’ up here.
My point about AJ’s films is that she’s with films that have higher budgets, and doesn’t do a lot of romcoms or comedies–the only romantic film she’s really done since getting with Brad is The Tourist–which made nearly three times its budget back. So, she might not be making her films 4, 5 times its budget–but how many films *are* going to make back 3 or 4 times its budget, unless its an action or franchise film…so I don’t get why some of you are dissing her BO.
Also–if I’m remembering right–Angelina negotiated her first 20 million + backends when she signed onto Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They obviously thought she was worth it……
It’d be one thing if her films *always* barely made back their budgets, when they were big budget films, but she’s only had six films, early on in her career that didn’t make their budgets back (that weren’t indies) and half of those, she was a supporting character i.e. Alexander–she was present for maybe 1/3rd of the film (and that’s generous, it was a 3 hour movie), or Beowulf–where she was literally in the film for about six minutes. You can find her entire scene on youtube.
But we can’t always assume that just because it’s an epic film, that it’s going to make money or be any good. SWATH made over twice its budget, and it was a steaming pile of crap. There have been tons of big budget films that *should* have made money by the fistful, that didn’t.
The bottom line is that I think that Angelina can act, and I always enjoy seeing her films. I’ve seen only two of her films that I didn’t like, and I’ve seen just about all of her films, except for the early indie films that she did.
AIMS totally agree! I don’t get it at all.
I’d love to see an accounting of how she spends her money. 50K a month on hair. 1K for her dogs’ anti-aging water. 100K trip to Cabo. Incredible.
Jolie does bring publỉcity to a film. But her popularity soared after getting w Brad. On her own, jolie was never at sandra, roberts, demi/ winona ( of the 90s) or lawrance level. To be honest, she lacks of charisma on screen. That is why she does better with dark character. She sucks so bad in the tourist, depp as well.
I still can’t believe that Jennifer pays people money to do her hair. It looks so average. The only thing I see her forking money over for is her highlights. Other than that–her hair always looks terrible. It’s been looking a lot better since she cut it–before, it always looked like straw.
t, if Angelina was never at Sandra or Roberts et al level before Brad, care to explain how she won an OSCAR, and all before meeting Brad?
I can’t with Justin. He reminds me too much of the villain in this show my daughter used to watch, Lazytown. He’s just odd looking. I never got what she saw in him anyway.
Robbie Rotten? LMAO
OMG I had completely repressed that show from my raising toddlers memories but you are right. It’s all coming back to me, LMAO. What a bizarre show.
OMG I had forgotten about that show! And for good reason, it was just awful. Some of the kid shows are just so far out there, and weird that it’s nice when your little one out grows them. And you’re right, there is a resemblance.
Maybe it was the fact he belonged to someone else? Careful what you wish for?
I like how that picture of Gerard Butler has him framed by the word “sad”.
LOL Good catch.
Talk about nostalgia: remember when Brenda wore that top dress to the prom with Dylan — only to find out Kelly had the same dress!?
lmao…I always think of that when I see that pic.
you win.
This is hilarious!! ha ha ha!! I don’t believe a word of it — and as far as Jen being clingy…she seems far from it.
IKR? Jen is a very confident, independent and strong woman. That’s why she got together twice with Mayer.
Oh snap!
Damn you Rhea 🙂
*Snort*
Jen and Gerard being a couple is fun. Gossip fun.
I agree, I think she and Butler make more sense as a couple than she and Theroux. But still I call BS on the story.
+1.
This woman has made herself a public laughing stock of the tabloids. If only she didn’t play the pity party, trash Ajolie and also have her friends trash her. Pretend she is pregnant by wearing unflattering clothes and holding her stomach just So she will be in the news. If only she had played like sandra bullock and remained dignified. If only she didn’t do what she accused Ajolie of doing to her… So many if onlys. She caused this herself! No Alister is constantly in the tabloid like she always is and not for any notable thing but her relatioship, alleged pregnancy and oh her hair.. Her hairness needs to restrategize because she has become a public spectacle! And oh I bet you if and when she breaks up with the hipstar she is not going to be getting public sympathy like before. Everyone will think there has to be something wrong with her. My advice for her be single for a while and enjoy it. You don’t have to be in constant competition showing how happy you are to your ex husband who has obviously moved to greater heights and has accomplished a lot since he left her. Gal you really need to up your game.
I don’t know, that seems kinda harsh. She’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. And right now she doesn’t seem to be doing all that much, so the tabs feel compelled to make some stuff up.
She’s “damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t” ONLY because SHE got HERSELF into that position.
If she’d simply MOVED ON with her life many years ago instead of feeding the beast…. things would be different.
Agreed, she made her bed, now she has to lie in it.
Please. She got herself divorced and eventually picked up the pieces and moved on. I’d guess you would handle being married to and divorced from one of the hottest stars in the glare of the media spotlight much better?
And before you accuse me of being an unhinged Jen Hen or whatever, you’ll see I have posted plenty of positive things about AJ. I like them both just fine but I do think Jen gets an inordinate amount of hate for being fairly innocuous. And yes I know Angie gets an inordinate amount of hate too…
Esmom…I’m with you on this.
@Esmom, who wrote: “I’d guess you would handle being married to and divorced from one of the hottest stars in the glare of the media spotlight much better?”
Oh, no Jen-Hen accusations at all, trust. But everytime I see this sentiment, this “… married to and divorced from one of the hottest stars in the glare of the media spotlight” thing I always have to ask–because I truly am curious–exactly ‘how’ Jen could have suffered her divorce under the glare of the media spotlight, when she filed for divorce ‘before’ it all hit the fan ‘and’ the “glare of the media spotlight” no one ever answers.
Their separation and divorce was handled so smoothly–mainly because there was never any proof that an affair broke up their marriage–that many people thought the separation only happened that April 2005 and Jen was blindsided by the ‘sudden’ relationship evidenced in those African photos … and Jen didn’t deny it, in fact … she ‘fed’ it with indignant interviews and crying sessions with the Ocean and comments about Brad’s missing sensitivity chip and finally being able to buy comfortable furniture. She was ‘so’ righteously indignant over the villainess Angelina Jolie and the ‘chip-less’ Brad Pitt, people completely missed the fact that she started a relationship with Vince Vaughn in July 2005; two months before her ‘She’s a heartless villainess and he’s a chipless cad!’ champagne session with Oprah in September 2005.
They separated on January 6, 2005 … Jen filed for divorce on March 23, (or 25) 2005 … the ‘media spotlight’ didn’t shine on the situation until the photos of Angie, Brad, and Maddox in Africa hit the tabloids in April 2005 … but by then everything between the two of ‘them’ had already been settled. So again … how did she ‘suffer’ divorcing Brad under the media spotlight?’
@Emma the JP lover. You said it all! Better than I could ever have. Thanks for that!
Seriously? No need to rehash these timelines…by “glare of the media spotlight” I mean the scrutiny that she began to get from the minute she got together with Pitt, not after they split. It wasn’t until then that she catapulted to the A list and they were watched as a couple constantly. They were the Golden Couple for goodness sakes — it’s not like the media suddenly became interested after they split, they were interested all along.
So of course they were going to be scrutinized just as much after they split and headed in different directions. I think no matter what she did — him too for that matter — every move was going to be put under a media microscope because they whole thing was just too juicy for anyone to leave it alone. Sigh.
@Esmom, who wrote: “So of course they were going to be scrutinized just as much after they split and headed in different directions. I think no matter what she did — him too for that matter — every move was going to be put under a media microscope because they whole thing was just too juicy for anyone to leave it alone. Sigh.”
But that’s just my point … they ‘were not’ scrutinized after they separated and headed off in different directions. You can go back and check this yourself. Between January 2005 and (whatever date those photos hit the press in) April 2005 you would see a blurb now and then about Jen working, getting on with her life, and seemingly happy and Brad spending alone time up in Santa Barbara at their house, walking along the beach. ‘Both’ apparently getting on with their lives. The March 25, 2005 ‘brief’ “People” magazine article about Jen filing for divorce was extremely drama-less and low key, with only one pointedly ironic quip from Jen about the coincidence of her break up with Brad and the title of the current film she was working on–“The Breakup:”
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1042412,00.html
It didn’t get ‘juicy’ until those photos of Angie, Brad, and Maddox hit the Tabloids. Her life would have soon returned to her post separation/divorce state if she hadn’t ‘fed’ the frenzy.
Emma – the JP Lover, I don’t know, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. I remember a lot more interest/coverage of their split and after. I don’t recall a time where no one wasn’t interested in what she was up to.
@ EJPL
Exactly, she wanted the attention and sought it out, why give an interview 5 years after the divorce if she wasn’t stoking the gossip.
I only started paying attention when Chelsea Handler got involved, however many years later because I couldn’t believe this story was still going.
Sandra Bullock and Uma Thurman are 2 women who were actually cheated on and divorced, you don’t see them keeping the gossip going, they just got on with their lives and kept their dignity.
Emma — the JP Lover – Agree with everything you’ve said here.
To add to that, we now know in hindsight, that Aniston outright lied to Leslie Bennetts for her VF “Jen Finally Talks” tell all. Aniston told Bennetts that Brad was just “gone” and “unavailable” when she needed emotional support with Friends ending, as Brad didn’t attend the taping of the series finale. The reality is, there were three events taking place that week. One of them was the taping of the Friends finale. Brad attended the other two — a party for the Friends cast and a birthday party for Aniston, which he hosted. Funny how Aniston failed to provide those little details to Bennetts. I guess it didn’t fit the “public sympathy” narrative she was too busy constructing post-Brad. And the reason he didn’t make the taping of the Friends finale is due to the fact that HE WAS WORKING. I realize he’s Brad Pitt and all, but even he can’t shut down a $80 million film production because the wife he’s currently separated from is filming her sitcom finale and needs emotional support.
Agree with layla — she fed this beast, and she fed it for years. Now it’s turning on her.
I find it hard to believe, after all Aniston has done that people still describe her as innocuous. That is just disingenuous. She’s the exact opposite of innocuous. As I said, brainwashed. Some just refuse to see reality.
@TC
That’s what confused me–there was a PEOPLE article (Separate Lives, I think) that they put out to specifically REFUTE the idea that Brad and Jennifer were getting back together–because they were SO FRIENDLY with each other. They weren’t living together anymore, but he threw her a birthday party, they went to events together, and acted friendly, etc. So I think that’s very disrespectful of Jennifer to act like they separated, and then Brad just rolled on her. They were still filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith after the separation, on/off for a while there. If I’m remembering right they both wore their wedding rings for a few months, correct?
So, in hindsight, I’m glad that Brad said that he was boring in his marriage to her—although I’m sure he could’ve said worse.
VC — Yes, I totally remember that People piece about how friendly they were with each other after their separation was announced. And this only confirms what Emma — the JP Lover was saying upthread that there was never any “glare in the media spotlight” until Aniston created it herself (see: Photos from Kenya).
@TC
I think that there would’ve been ‘glare in the spotlight’, being that Brad and Angelina were photographed together three, four months after Brad and Jennifer separated. I think that’s what started it all. But I don’t think that it would’ve been quite so bad if it wasn’t for that Vanity Fair interview. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Brad Pitt spoke to Dianne Sawyer about his divorce in an interview, briefly, while promoting some charity work in Africa that he was doing—this was after he and Angelina were photographed in Kenya together. All he said was that Angelina had nothing to do with his marriage ending, talked a bit about how much money tabloids made–what it could’ve gone to, and he wouldn’t comment on Angelina–saying there wasn’t anything to talk about yet.
So it’s not like he was spouting off that Angelina was amazing, etc. And he didn’t say anything disrespectful about Jennifer either. So I think that if that VF interview had BRIEFLY touched up on her divorce (like if she’d just made a joke about how her life is coinciding with her movie roles–The Break UP, and maybe made that joke about Brad’s hair–but made it clear that she wasn’t going to talk about it anymore), then we would have a different story now. I’m pretty sure that that interview is the one that mentioned those Team Aniston/Jolie shirts—why would she allow something like that in her own interview????
Hi VC — I think the point I was trying to make is that Aniston “fed the crazy” around the Kenya photos. “I’m shocked, and the world is shocked.” Remember that quote she made after she saw the photos? It was Aniston who made a huge deal out of them. When the media came to her for a sound bite, I think she intentionally “fed the media frenzy” about those photos. I’ll say it again — she fed the beast. And remember, those photos came out AFTER she filed for divorce. But I agree with you, the VF piece was much worse. But then again, that was its intention.
I do remember Brad’s interview with Diane Sawyer and he only confirmed what he had been saying all along: that Angie wasn’t the reason for his marriage failure. I think I remember him saying that his relationship with Angie was “forming.”
@TC
Good catch! I agree. Especially since she wasn’t shocked at all…Courtney said that he told Jennifer that he was attracted to Angelina, that he wanted to figure out what he wanted (which wasn’t her anymore)–and Jennifer wanted him to stay married to her while he did it–he didn’t want that. So it’s a lie that she was shocked–she might not’ve known that Brad was going to be in Kenya w/AJ that particular day, but she knew that Brad was interested in Angelina. And I’m sure that he told Jennifer the moment that he and Angelina started dating, in case something like that happened i.e. the paps getting photos of them.
And yes–they separated in January, Jennifer filed for divorce in March (same time that they did the W photoshoot), and they were pictured in Kenya in April–a month after JA filed. Which, I’m not even sure why people freaked out over those photos, calling it disrespectful…it’s not like they were making out or being inappropriate.
And YES–I would love to hear what Graydon Carter or Leslie Bennetts has to say about Jennifer’s cover–that is odd that they haven’t had the person back on their cover–that gave them the highest selling cover yet. I would’ve thought that they’d have had her back on in 2008–when she was doing the rounds for ‘Marley and Me’…which is probably her most famous/successful film, post divorce.
I totally agree with you, Sweetlyn. Justin probably thought she was different, open to doing more in her life when they hooked up, and now he knows that all she wants to do is hang in LA, go to Mexico, and hangs out w/ shitty people (like Chelsey).
@TC. Word! I wonder what leslie thinks of aniston now! And the part where you said…Agree with layla — she fed this beast, and she fed it for years. Now it’s turning on her.
Am in tatal agreement and I for one am happy its finally happening
@Mikko she is friends with handler and also creepy and slizzy uncle terry I guess that says a lot about her.
Sweetlyn — I don’t know how Bennetts herself feels about the incident, but I believe Graydon Carter wasn’t too pleased when all was said and done with Aniston’s revisionist storytelling. She basically made VF look like a laughing stock. And isn’t it telling that that particular issue was supposedly the biggest selling issue of all time for VF, yet Graydon never went back to Aniston for a follow-up piece? Why wouldn’t you follow-up on your biggest selling issue of all time? Answer: Because your biggest selling issue was a load of “caca.”
I have a few questions–for anyone who wants to answer. I like to hear all sides.
Now, I don’t think that Brad and Angelina cheated–this is partially a reaction against all the posters who were saying (when I first came onto this site) that Angelina and Brad were together because Angelina was a ho who didn’t wear underwear during their sex scenes in MAMS–and that’s how she trapped Brad. After that crap went down in 2011, and I did research, I think that by the way they handled it–there was no affair. I’ve seen affairs–that’s not how you do it.
Now, here’s my question—let’s say that Brad and Angelina were banging each other the minute they met. If that was true, why would Jennifer say that there was no affair? I mean, Jennifer was THIRTY SIX YEARS OLD, when they separated. She isn’t some young bunny, and she’s not a moron. If my husband came to me and said that he wanted a separation, following tabloid rumors that he was banging his costar, who he didn’t hide the fact that he was friends with–that would be the first thing on my mind.
So when they separated–either Jennifer was just as over the marriage as Brad was, or she didn’t care that he cheated on her–for whatever reason. Because they released a statement TOGETHER, saying that they were amicably separating, and it wasn’t due to any rumors. They spent time together after that—they went to parties together, spent time together–I remember reading that article (the Separate Lives ones, I think)–where their friends thought that they might get back together, because they were SO friendly and comfortable with each other, post split.
Again–Jennifer is NOT a moron. If my husband came at me, wanting a separation after rumors of him having an affair with his costar, that would be the first thing I would’ve asked him about–it would be on my mind (true or not). And you know when your guy is lying, when he’s telling you some bs answer. So if she knew that he was lying, why would she act so friendly towards him, post split? Why would she specifically go to Vanity Fair and Vogue, praising HIM to the high heavens (not so much in the VF, but in Vogue), saying that he wouldn’t ever purposely hurt her (VF), saying how proud she was of him, of his kids, his humanitarian and film work (Vogue)—that’s not a noncommital ‘I hope he’s happy’ answer that you get w/most divorced celebs–especially if there was infidelity involved. She’s outright saying that he is an amazing guy, who did absolutely nothing wrong to her–who respected her.
All I know is that if my husband cheated on me, and I didn’t want to fuel it–then I wouldn’t answer any questions about it. I would NOT be going to parties, acting happy with him–if he had cheated on me. She went to Vanity Fair to specifically talk about the end of her marriage…she went to Vogue to talk about the end of her marriage–their relationship. She didn’t have to do that. She chose to do that. And that Vogue interview was THREE YEARS after they split—so she’s casting shade on Angelina for talking about timelines of how their relationship started (which isn’t true, Angelina didn’t talk about timelines of her and Brad’s relationship), but is saying that Brad is amazing, and handled their breakup respectfully???
There are only two possibilities, as I see it–either Brad and Jennifer were unofficially separated and Jennifer didn’t give two f-cks what Brad was or wasn’t doing, WHO he was or wasn’t doing, or Brad was honest about not loving her (as a husband should) anymore, and she felt the same–so they decided to end it, amicably.
And I don’t think that because Brad and Angelina worked together before they separated means that they had an affair. It’s not like Brad and Jennifer separated and then two weeks later we saw Brad playing daddy to Maddox–they weren’t seen together until after Jennifer filed for divorce (over three months later), and they both said that they needed to figure out things before they could talk about it publicly i.e. they were not serious right away…how is that cheating?
Any thoughts??
My thoughts, Jennifer was never in love with Brad, she wanted Brad Pitt and all that came with him, she loved being part of an A list couple, so when Brad told her it wasn’t working for him she didn’t have much choice but to accept it and maybe try to keep her options open with him if Angelina chewed him up and spit him out. When she realised they were the real deal and getting serious, then she started the bull about cheating, sensitivity chips and timelines all the while boinking Vince Vaughan.
I do think that they loved each other–but love isn’t enough to sustain a relationship. And really, I think they got married thinking that they could separate the minute it went bad (based on their quotes about their relationship–the ‘our marriage is a merger, we agreed we’d separate when we stop growing’, ‘he’s not the love of my life, but a love of it’, etc)……that it wouldn’t be a big deal at all.
Which, I’m not saying that you need to be of the mindset that marriage is for life, and NOTHING will make you get a divorce (including abuse, infidelity, etc)…..but I want to go into a marriage thinking that barring abuse and infidelity, that this is someone that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. It seems to me that they both went into the marriage not even thinking that it was going to last more than a few years. It’s like they were two people who cared about each other, and marriage seemed like a good idea (on his end, I think that he wanted what his family had), so they just did it. It doesn’t seem like they ever planned on being that old, cute couple that have been together for a bajillion years, who you know are going to die next to each other, in the same bed, holding hands–regardless of what they said. Actions, not words.
I’m just seriously surprised that people considered them to be the Golden Couple. After I read those merger quotes, and found out that Jennifer stayed at home for the 98% of the 8 months that Brad was in Malta filming–I’m amazed that ANYONE thought those two were going to last. I mean, aesthetically, I think that they made a good looking couple, but they never seemed like they were even on the same radar as each other.
But I do think she saw the ‘Angelina is a homewrecker, poor Jen!’ crap and ran with it. What other excuse is there for that Vogue interview (where she praises Brad to the high heavens, while trashing Angelina)—remember when Brad made those comments in Parade, about how he was boring in his marriage to Jennifer i.e. everyone said that Jennifer was boring. Jennifer said (when asked) that it wasn’t even worth discussing….so why is it that she can trash her ex’s fiance for something she didn’t even do, but she can’t say something (even if it is a noncommital response like ‘Well, that’s why we’re divorced’) about what said ex said about their marriage?
Of course, there’s this, too: http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20342944,00.html
VC – Here’s my two cents — I think the Pitt-Aniston marriage wasn’t constructed on solid ground to begin with. Prior to Aniston, Pitt was engaged to Gwyneth Paltrow, and he gushed about her in interviews and on red carpets. That man was in some crazy love back in the 90s with her! This was well before the Paltrow “hate” era. She was like a JLaw back then. A media darling; a Hollywood “it” girl. Then she hurt him pretty badly and only weeks later, Pitt was on a date with Aniston set up by their managers. So in essence, Aniston was the “rebound” that Pitt married. And that’s never, ever how you want to start a marriage.
@TC
That’s what I think….sometimes rebounds work out (Brad and Angelina, for one)….but it seems to me that the two of them liked being together, probably didn’t really discuss what they both really wanted, in depth–like with kids–I get the feeling that Brad asked her if she wanted to make a few babies in the future, and she said sure–and that was the end of the discussion. There needs to be more than that. You need to TALK.
But I’m still just amazed that no one predicted that split…seriously? The minute I heard that he was therapy for two years right after they got married, when he quit working for those two years and became a couch pothead–right after he got married–I would’ve thought something was up. I can just imagine how his family reacted. If they are anything like mine, within a few days, the whole family would know….that’s how we roll. We all talk sh-t about each other, and nobody has ANY secrets.
Eva’s post sums up my opinion perfectly.
Hey VC — I don’t think Angie was a rebound for Brad. People on the “rebound” typically described as having distress or unresolved feelings as a result of their prior relationship, and therefore their emotional availability is in question. In my opinion, Brad was more than ready to leave his marriage to Aniston. I don’t think there was any doubt in his mind about it. He left and didn’t look back. Jean Black, Brad’s makeup artist for the past 23 years said last year in Esquire Magazine, “Brad was ready to soar when he met Angie.”
I think they were good together for a time, and as you said marriage seemed like the right thing to do given their age and circumstances and whatever. I thought they seemed as happy as they could be in photos and interviews. And I always read Jennifer’s “I don’t know if he’s the love of my life,” stuff as a HUGE defense mechanism, a hedging of her bets, so to speak, so as to protect herself from when the end inevitably came and he moved on. That is sure not a solid foundation.
I think her insecurity stemmed from the fact that she had landed Brad Freaking Pitt, arguably at his peak, who could have anyone he wanted and I’m sure that messed with her head. On a daily basis. Can you imagine? My feeling was that she was trying to hold onto him for as long as she could and when she found out AJ had signed onto MAMS she started to freak out — I know I sure would have — and her insecurities probably really started to escalate, essentially help sealing their demise and giving him an opening to re-evaluate their marriage and pursue his feelings for AJ.
I’m not blaming AJ, so much in relationships has to do with proximity and timing. Jen and Brad were good for a time but, as you said, they weren’t meant to be for the long haul. All that being said I don’t blame Jen for being presumably incredibly hurt and devastated and humiliated at how everything worked out. How horrible for her ego, already fragile to begin with. Had Brad not worked with AJ on MAMS they arguably might have hung in there longer simply out of habit…so many marriages linger on WAY beyond their expiration dates because breaking up is really hard, as much as you think you might be resigned to it. She might have thought having a “dead” marriage was better than having no marriage, also a very common sentiment.
Lastly, I’ll add that the People piece that claimed they were still friendly after breaking up was BS, I think, to help Jen save face a little bit. Just like so many couples who split say they “remain the best of friends,” which is often just not true. I think the media for whatever reason decided they wanted to be kind to her in that regard. I could be completely off base but I think for the most part when they split they really made a clean break, especially since Brad was already moving on with AJ.
@Esmom
But they were pictured together, at parties, acting friendly–after their separation—that’s what the PEOPLE piece was about. And I was under the impression that PEOPLE went through the celebs–so obviously Jennifer/Brad approved that story to go through. And I don’t think that they could outright lie about Brad and Jennifer being at a certain place–like sure, they can lie and say that they were acting cold to each other–but they can’t say that they weren’t at the party.
I do agree that Brad and Jennifer aren’t best friends—if they were, then he and Angelina would be going to dinner with her, just like they do Billy Bob.
Also–the comment about ‘a love of my life’—I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. It’s like Elizabeth Taylor marrying that Senator after Richard Burton died….he was not the love of her life. My issue is that she said that in a public interview. If you talk like that to your spouse, fine. But in an interview? And expect people to think you’re happily married?
And I’m not sure about the whole insecurity thing–but I can see how that would negatively affect their marriage. If Jennifer felt insecure, every single time he worked with an attractive woman, then how did she express that? Even if she tried to frame it like it wasn’t a big deal, if it was me, I’d be insulted–because she’s pretty much implying that I drop it for anyone who’s pretty, while simultaneously putting herself down. I think that JA is All American attractive–not mind blowingly gorgeous.
@Esmon, who wrote: “My feeling was that she was trying to hold onto him for as long as she could and when she found out AJ had signed onto MAMS she started to freak out — I know I sure would have — and her insecurities probably really started to escalate, essentially help sealing their demise and giving him an opening to re-evaluate their marriage and pursue his feelings for AJ.”
Yes, you ‘are’ still blaming/putting emphasis on Angelina Jolie. Why in the world would Jennifer Aniston freak out about Brad being in a film with Angelina Jolie?
Why wouldn’t she be equally freaked out about him starring in “Ocean’s Tweleve” with Catherine Zeta-Jones (one of the sexiest women alive) in 2004?
Why wouldn’t she be equally freaked out about him starring in “Troy” with Diane Kruger and the other honey, Rose Byrne, who played his love interest Briseis? Jen obviously wasn’t too concerned about Brad straying as she only visited one ‘once’ during the 4 – 6 month “Troy” production in 2003.
And why wouldn’t she be freaked out about Brad co-starring with Julia Roberts in “The Mexican” in 2001, especially since Julia hadn’t yet gone after her current husband (who was a married man), and had a ‘true’ reputation for going after her co-stars?
Esmom — You say their marriage might have lasted a bit longer had Brad not met AJ, but I don’t agree. I think Brad was done with his marriage before Angie came into the picture. He’s already admitted this much in his Parade 2011 and Esquire 2013 print interviews. Images of Pitt and Aniston on the red carpet only tell one side. He’s said during his marriage he was aimless, unfocused, purposeless and in need of direction. The celebrity spotlight was intensifying with his career ascension and it became too much, so he was “hiding out.” He hated the “Golden Couple” moniker. Despised it because it didn’t allow him to be human.
Aniston, on the other hand, seemed to revel in it. She celebrated the attention and the elevated status it gave her, and I think that was a big part of the problem for them. They both seemed to have very different value systems and wanted two very different things. Brad says he eventually got sick of himself and managed to get himself together. This was BEFORE meeting Angie. So when Angie finally does enter then picture on the MAMS set, Brad says in his Esquire interview that, “Angie didn’t meet that man,” referring to the unfocused and purposeless man he used to be, because Brad was already changing himself. He was ready for it. He was ready to live a life of purpose and meaning and I think this bears out when you look at where Aniston is today compared to where Brad is today….in two completely different places.
But you did touch on Aniston’s insecurities, and I think there’s truth to that. I think she seemed to hold onto Brad a little too tightly that it stifled him. She didn’t really encourage his hobbies or interests. She made fun of his love of architecture. Laughed when he said he wanted a “soccer team” sized family.
Angie, on the other hand let’s him soar and encourages his creative interests and ideas. She doesn’t hold him back or stifle him because she’s secure within herself. And because of her encouragement, they have the large family he’s always wanted. In addition, he’s created the Make it Right non-profit, has collaborated on furniture designs with Frank Pollaro, and is a successful wine maker with the Perrin family. Can you imagine him doing any of this with Aniston?! I can’t.
Wow, this post is long. VC must be rubbing off on me. 🙂
Emma – the JP Lover, I’m only “blaming” AJ in that she is/was more than a notch or two higher in the attractiveness department than the other stars you mentioned. I would have considered her to be more of a “threat” to the marriage than the others, not because she was evil or nefarious, but simply because she was who she was, devastatingly hot and smart and strong while Jennifer was more of a cute sweetheart type who was also deeply insecure. I don’t doubt that AJ left more than one guy swooning in her wake before she met Brad, that she connected with Brad was really no surprise to me. In fact Jen probably knew on some level that they would hit it off, hence my speculation that it scared the crap out of her when she heard they would be working together. I have a feeling that insecurity among actors and who their significant others may be working with and getting close to onscreen is not that rare.
TC, As for whether their marriage would have lasted longer, I know we’ll never know. But all the stuff Brad said about being stifled and miserable he said in retrospect. It may have taken him longer to figure all that out had he and AJ not crossed paths when they did. And I don’t disagree that he is a better man/his best self with her compared to Jen. I’m just not sure Jen realized how much she was even holding him back, especially if he kept his discontent mostly to himself, and that she still hoped their marriage stood a chance and therefore was upset when it fell apart.
Glad to see I’m a good influence, TC 🙂
Do you have a link to that Esquire interview? I often wondered about that. Because I’ve heard it said that the only reason why Brad started with charity work was because he got with Angelina, that it was just pr to deflect, etc. Which I never thought was true–based on the kind of person Angelina is, and the nature of the work that Brad did.
When you start doing charity work for pr–you don’t do what Brad did. He started going on humanitarian trips to Africa, before he separated from Jennifer (he did something with Bono in Ethiopia right? And he did that trip that was covered on Diane Sawyer, post separation). He started the Make It Right Foundation after New Orleans got hit with Katrina. That’s not something that you can just throw a bunch of money at once in a while, and call it a day. It doesn’t work like that.
And I would think that Angelina knows the difference between the people who are doing it because they care, or the ones who are doing it to try and impress her, or for other selfish reasons. You don’t see long term dedication in people like that. How many men do you think tried to front like they were into charity, to try and get into her panties after she divorced Billy Bob?
And yes–I always wondered that if Brad was just as aimless as he always was, then what did Angelina see in him. Because someone like that is not attractive to me–even though you could argue that in his work life, he was fulfilled. But I think, personally, he felt like he was doing absolutely nothing useful, and started to change that.
Hey VC — Here’s the link to the article. Not sure if it’s the entire story or a shortened version: http://www.esquire.com/features/brad-pitt-cover-interview-0613
Esmom — You do realize that Brad was no longer living with Aniston before their separation was announced, right? And this was BEFORE he met Jolie and began filming MAMS.
And I personally think it’s much better to make comments in retrospect (6 years after the fact in Brad’s case), as you have time to reflect, put things in context and understand all the circumstances surrounding it. Running to the media immediately after the fact to “tell your side of the story” seems vengeful, calculated and mean-spirited.
TC of course it’s better to make comments abut sensitive topics when you’ve had some time and distance to get a better perspective. I just think it’s twisting things a bit to say Jen sought out the media — the story was so huge there was no way for to escape talking about it. Truly I think it was the ONLY thing people wanted to hear from her about, that’s how much their marriage defined her.
I don’t have the timelines but on thing I do remember clearly is that Jen and Brad were still married when he began filming MAMS. That’s where all the homewrecker accusations came from, not just out of thin air.
Esmom — I didn’t say they weren’t married. I said they weren’t living together. Part of it was work related, and part of it was Brad being fed up. He was filming Troy for eight months in Malta (June 2003 – January 2004). Aniston visited him once in that time. Doesn’t really seem like they wanted to see each other, does it? Only a week or so after Brad was back in LA, MAMS started filming, and a producer friend of Brad’s has gone on record saying Brad was living in hotels and then later with him at his home BEFORE production started. Production was halted about a month later due to Brad’s contractual obligations to promote Troy. He took Aniston to Cannes, to quell the break-up rumors that were swirling around this time. But there’s a very revealing YouTube sound bite from Brad on the Cannes red carpet when he talks about wanting a family and he appears fed up, like he’s beyond ready for a change in his life. He even left Aniston at the movie premiere. Walked the red carpet with her to quell the break-up rumors, but left the theater once the movie started. Aniston ended up staying.
The sh*t hit the fan when they got back to LA. And MAMS had only been filming for a month, if that. He was done. Had been done for awhile, in my opinion. All the clues are there for people who really want to see the truth.
And his self-reflective interview in Esquire, years after the fact, describes his “epiphany,” as happening a decade ago. Given that the Esquire story came out in 2013, ten years earlier would put the timetable right around the Troy production when they were apart for 8 months and then he came back to LA and bunked in hotels and eventually with his producer friend.
And yes, I personally think Aniston sought out the media after her break-up to construct her “public sympathy” narrative and continued to feed that narrative for years.
TC–that’s the one thing that I found extremely odd. Jennifer filmed ‘Friends’ in LA. Brad and Angelina filmed the majority of ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ in LA–I think they had to go to Italy for a (deleted) scene–the ending–for a couple of weeks, but other than that? I found it odd that Jennifer would’ve only met Angelina one time, because she pulled herself to the side and introduced herself to her. I would’ve thought that them being in the same city, working, that they would’ve at least went home together, or out to dinner, after filming.
But then again, my eyes were like 0_0 when I found out that JA had only visited Brad ONE TIME in eight months, while he was filming ‘Troy’…..now, I watched that movie because my twin brother LOVED it–he likes Greek Mythology, stories about warriors. And did you SEE Brad Pitt in that movie????? Barring that horrendous blonde hair–Brad looked GOOD. If I was his wife, he wouldn’t need to worry about ANYTHING. I’d be on it….I don’t care if I only got to spend a few days here and there with him, while going on extremely long flights–I’d be going to visit my husband while he’s away working. Especially if there are issues–absence doesn’t make the heart fonder in that case. And Brad was probably in his best shape at that point in his life–to be crass, I’d have jumped on that every chance I got.
Hey VC — Yes, it is interesting there are no stories to be found of Aniston and Pitt dining with Jolie or doing other social things to get to know each other better. Maybe because Brad wasn’t living at home and his relationship with Aniston was tenuous at best?
The MAMS production had a lot of starts and stops for various reasons. That’s why it took over a year to film. Plus they had reshoots right up until it premiered in May 2005. So technically, they were still working on the film even after the Aniston-Pitt separation announcement in January and possibly the divorce filing in March. I think that’s why Angie gets blamed. She’s an easy target based on the timing. But Brad was unhappy way before that. He has said it himself (Courtney and David too).
This is just my own speculation, but I think their time apart, while Brad was away filming Troy in Malta, was a private, trial separation. I could be wrong, but that’s a long stretch without seeing your spouse. Especially when he’s Brad Pitt.
Yep, TC—they filmed reshoots in March, and then I read in PEOPLE (it was one of the cover articles about their divorce/separation), where the director said something like he was ‘threatening’ to shoot one more thing–so I really got the impression that they were re-shooting bits and pieces of the film, a day or two at a time, during the entire spring of 2005. And yeah–Brad said that they were filming even after the separation.
@Esmom, who wrote: “I don’t have the timelines but on thing I do remember clearly is that Jen and Brad were still married when he began filming MAMS. That’s where all the homewrecker accusations came from, not just out of thin air.”
And yet, they didn’t get together until April/May 2005, after Jen had filed for divorce.
I’m a bit curious about your mental picture of Angelina Jolie in 2004 as some kind of Man-eating succubus, whom you “don’t doubt … left more than one guy swooning in her wake before she met Brad.” Can’t you mind wrap around the fact that the ‘only’ man captivated by Angelina Jolie in 2004 was Maddox Jolie? Maddox–being a mother–changed Angie’s life. The Femme Fatale/Succubus image of Angelina Jolie you have permanently fixed in your mind no longer existed after her divorce from Billy Bob Thornton.
If the Aniston-Pitt marriage ended because Brad couldn’t stay out of Angie’s bed, he would have ‘run’ back to Angie’s bed once he and Jen made their joint separation announcement. Most couples whose relationships started as ‘affairs’ don’t take a break from their ‘affair’ just because the soon-to-be-ex-Mrs. is in the process of filing for divorce (unless money and/or property is a factor).
Emma – the JP Lover, I never said anything about AJ being a man-eating succubus, as you put it. I only said she was arguably one of the hottest stars around, paired up in MAMS with another one of the hottest stars, BP. I’m not surprised that sparks would fly between them, onscreen or off.
But like it or not the timing of them getting together WAS suspicious, despite your insistence that Brad and Jen were over, that Jen didn’t care, whatever, and all of your meticulous timelines “proving” AJ couldn’t possibly have been guilty of having any part in it. I’m not trying to prove AJ guilty of anything, my initial comments were and continue to be based on what I remember as the public narrative. Of course there are shades of gray but in the simplest of terms, BP and JA were married, BP filmed MAMS with AJ, then BP and JA broke up.
Even if AJ was the catalyst for Brad realizing his marriage was over and he needed more out of life, so what? Why are you so insistent that AJ played no part in their demise? Stuff like this happens all the time, why fight so hard for the “innocence” of a celeb you presumably don’t even know?
Esmom, there is your problem. Public ‘narrative’. A narrative driven by tabloids. That’s why its so easy for tabloids to brainwash people, repeat something often enough; it becomes the truth. Ever heard the saying: a lie travels half-way around the world, before the truth even gets a chance to put its shoes on? Or if repeated often enough, a lie becomes the truth (as it did with this alleged ‘affair’) because everyone is saying it, therefore everyone believes it must be true? You are telling us you believe public narrative, hearsay and hysteria. What does that say about you? A hint: brainwashed by tabloid-driven public narrative.
Sal, When it comes to celeb’s lives, public narrative and our own powers of observation and opinions are pretty much all we’ve got. Unless you have a personal relationship with these people — or ARE one of these people — no one has any idea what JA, AJ or BP really feels or even what really happened. Sorry but your version of the truth isn’t better or more accurate than anyone else’s version. All of the timelines and links in the world can’t change the fact that NONE of us really knows the real truth. No need to keep tearing down anyone who happens to disagree with some of your opinions. Peace.
Ditto Eva perfect comment
I dunno. I feel like Jen’s kind of a player and she gravitates to men she knows on some level won’t hassle her to give up her independence. The stigma of single parent adoptions is long over, so if she seriously wanted kids she’d have them.
I’d like to see her and Gerard together. That would be a hot mess. Btw, I caught We’re the Millers on cable the other day – it was actually very funny!
I watched The Miller and it was not that bad. Fun to see if you want something light after a long day at work. Definitely so much better than Wanderlust.
Yep, good for unwinding after work. It was surprisingly funny, and she pulled her weight. I’ve not seen most of her movies, but I liked Office Space and thought she was also good in that movie with Frances McDormand
Wanderlust made me so sad. The gem of the idea would have worked. But the actual script is a silly predictable mess with no real funny bits. It had a solid supporting cast who all for some reason conspired to phone it in. And then a director who just couldnt pull it together. Rudd and Aniston deserve the disdain but Wanderlust is a good example of a project gone wrong from Day 1.
I completely agree with the first paragraph . She doesn’t want to settle down.
Eh. Justin was in LA for the Crticis Association Press Tour on Jan 9th, and was in LA until at least January 25th, before he went to NY for Leftovers. There are paparazzi pics of him on his motorcycle around their home.
what I took from this is: THERE IS GOING TO BE A SEQUEL TO ZOOLANDER.
LOL. And, scene!
I loved that movie!
I never heard of Theroux until he and Jen got together, but I was watching Zoolander again a few months ago and discovered he was the “Evil DJ” in that movie. I do think they buried the lede in this article! 🙂
I’m not a huge fan of Jen. Her friendships with Uncle Creepy Richardson and Chelsea I’m-not-racist-because-I-bang-black-dudes Handler are huge turn-offs. That said, I’m ambivalent about JustJen. To me, they seem like a decent couple, but if they’re over then it won’t bother me at all.
Justin is such flawed human being, a disappointment to the male race.
Really convenient to end up crying on Gerard Butler’s shoulder after a breakup… Or not after a breakup, either way…. Never gotten the appeal of J. Theroux but after Tropic Thunder he is the best screenwriter ever IMO….
He was one of five or six cowriters—he didn’t write the entire thing by himself, or even with Stiller. I’ve heard good things about his directorial debut ‘Dedication’, but the only thing I’ve seen that he’s written was Ironman 2–which sucked balls. I harp on it because my little nephew LOVES that movie…and I watched it with him.
He’s apparently writing Zoolander 2 and directing it–but I have no clue when that’s happening. I would think that that kind of a script would only take a month, at most, to churn out.
He also wrote “Rock of Ages” starring Tom Cruise. That one sucked.
Why is it nobody talks about it? It IS his recent work. Or how about Wanderlust? You know, the movie that brought him and Aniston together?
Why do you have to got back so far when he has recent work (within 5 years) that everyone can discuss?
Because he’s a sh-tty writer…he needs to stick to acting.
I never got these two.
He looks like a human version of a Biker Ken doll. Utterly sexless. Their coupling has always screamed fake to me.
+1
TWO pre Oscar parties together holding hands and no pictures? How did that happen?
Thank you! Was wondering about that too.
I posted this up thread.. but I did see one picture. Maybe a fan shot.
This is all I could find….
http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/jennifer-aniston-and-justin-theroux-look-happier-than-ever-at-pre-oscars-party-35669
They’re definitely in containment mode….I’ve seen a bunch of articles about how they put the rumors to rest, but only ONE picture! Seriously?
Compare this to last year–they were front and center at the Oscars–posed for several pictures, even though Jennifer was only presenting. Hijacked the PEOPLE Oscar cover the week after, talking about how she CONQUERED the Oscars……..now, nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Even though I don’t think Jennifer can act—she’s famous. Her name gets clicks. Even if these were pre party events…….don’t you think that her fans would want to see her and Justin loved up, after so many rumors of them being broken up for the past year????? They are SO done.
I’m just hoping it’s an epic PEOPLE cover—I’m STILL giggling over last year’s cover, after the Oscars. Us Celebitches were in FINE form for that one.
Also, wouldn’t you think that the best way to put the rumors to rest would be to be front and center in as many pics as possible? I mean this is a CAA party, and she’s one of their biggest clients–it wouldn’t be weird at all that she and Justin were in a lot of pictures.
But they aren’t. I’m wondering if they waited to see if BP would win or not. Because I know that if my ex won an Oscar, or had the potential to win one (the most prestigious award in our field), I wouldn’t want to be the one in the news for a broken engagement….
One of the Australian tabloids has on the cover that she dumped Justin to return to her “soul mate and one true love” Gerard Butler, this week. I never mentioned it because Australia’s tabloids are as scummy and untrustworthy as America’s.
You know you can still be an Angelia fan and not have to hate Jennifer.
Ok, wtf? My post was pretty innocuous and clinical with no hate or emotion one way or the other way. All I said was that an Australian tabloid said she was with Gerard and that I dismissed it because it came from a tabloid. Where is the hate in that? If I wanted to show hate, I would have believed the tabloid and smugly posted it here. I did the exact opposite, giving it no credence. Your post makes no sense.
For some reason I can only reply to some of your post and not to others. That was a response to your posts as a whole on the subject of Jennifer.
I find it it insulting that you said people who find Jennifer innocuous are brainwashed.
She has every right to comment about her relationships and how she feels about events that have happened in her life. So what if sways the story to paint herself in a more positive light. Who doesn’t do that. It’s just human nature. I’m sure she was hurt by her divorce from Brad. Maybe in that raw place she said things but when is the last time she has said anything about Brad or Angie? No one has a dog in that fight but those three. Why is everyone fighting that fight for them? It’s over and done.
I have read every post even then I can’t muster up any reason to think Jennifer is some horrible human being that does horrible things. Not one…
Sigh. Ferris, so many people have come on here with the impression that Aniston is this sweet little girl next door, harmless, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. Unfortunately I’m not usually in the habit of saving long posts to save myself repeating everything, and when I do, they invariably get lost in re-formatting, hard-drive failure etc. So, let me just give you a (longish) summary of why I think she is harmful.
1. She started this whole Team Aniston vendetta, and fanned the flames, even signing tshirts for fans with the slogan on it.
2. She did that VF interview where she threw Brad under the bus, she lied about him and her part/responsibility in the divorce. She burst into tears on cue the second the VF reporter entered the room. Maximum manipulation, there.
3. In almost every interview since, she has referenced her marriage/divorce in some way. To the Vogue interview in ’08 (I believe it was 08, if memory serves) where she herself brought up a cartoon where she was aiming a gun at Angelina, to outright misrepresenting what Angelina said and calling her ‘uncool’. She thought about her response and rang back with that quote 2 days later, by the Editor’s admission, so it was premeditated and well thought out. She then lied about her role, attempting to say she didn’t say it, and put the blame on the Vogue Editor. Only Oprah called her out for lying on her show, live, and then Aniston was all, ‘ok, yes, I did say it’.
4. Aniston has gone on talk shows and painted herself as the victim and Angelina the villain (not Brad, she says she is ‘so proud’ of Brad, BUT attacks the mother of his children) which led to an Aniston fan accosting Angelina and Brad at a restaurant in Germany. Said Aniston fan was wearing a ‘Team Aniston’ tshirt, and tried to kick a (then pregnant with Shiloh) Angelina in the stomach. The rationale, according to the fan, was that if Angelina lost the baby, Brad could return to Jen.
5. The worst, is her friendship with Handler where she walked on stage, TWICE, after Handler introed her, attacking Angelina and calling Angelina’s CHILDREN racist names, and walked on, on cue grinning like a Cheshire cat. Handler and Aniston went away on an intimate Thanksgiving holiday for 2, and immediately on return, Handler launches into her most vile and vicious attack on Angelina AND HER CHILDREN, yet. What do you think they were discussing on that trip, Ferris? Certainly not the Stock exchange. Handler got the urge to attack Angelina on that trip, somehow. Aniston was clearly in Handler’s ear and swaying her.
And there is much more. Now, all this passive-aggressiveness may be subtle, but it all adds up. You may think a manipulative and spiteful woman who references and snarks her ex and the mother of his children/his children (Aniston herself mocked having a twin on each of her hip, only 2 years ago) constantly is ‘innocuous’. You may think a person who lies about Editors roles, denies attacking the mother of her ex’s children, and makes jokes about shooting her is innocuous. You may think her hiring Handler to be her attack dog and walking on stage on cue after the host make racist jokes about innocent children and sexual references about a 4 year old little girl’s sexuality – twice, grinning like a Cheshire cat is ‘innocuous’. I happen to think her passive-aggressiveness, her manipulations is stirring up hatred. And that hatred has led to a pregnant woman being kicked, and the like of Female First becoming a hatefest where Angelina is accused of running a child prostitution ring. You see, Ferris, it is the flow-on effect of her enabling, her passive-aggressive attacks. Her fanning the flames. Her encouraging it. I don’t see Aniston’s behaviour as ‘innocuous’ at all. You might. You might not pick up on everything. Her very carefully veiled passive-aggressiveness may go over your head. But I know many agree with me. Aniston is not innocuous. She is highly toxic. Taking all things into consideration, yes, I believe as outlined that the evidence does she is a horrible person and she certainly does do horrible things. I’ve come across at least half a dozen people on here over the years who slowly woke up and came around and said yes, they ‘see’ it now. Perhaps Virgilia Coriolanus could elaborate, she posted a couple of great links a month or so back that really went in depth.
I would quibble with you on one point Sal–I think that story about the fan wearing a Team Aniston tshirt is a false rumor, because I did look it up, and all I found was a couple of people discussing it on a message board, wondering if it was true.
But I do agree, that by dint of allowing that fact into her Vanity Fair interview (Leslie Bennetts wrote about the Team Aniston vs. Team Jolie tshirts selling out 25 to 1 in her commentary in the article), that she was perpetuating it further–it seemed really petty to include, to me.
Here are links to the blog that me and my friend created (yes we’re losers with a ton of time on our hands, but we’re teenagers, so we can get away with it)
Links on Jennifer Aniston, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Angelina Jolie:
http://gossipramblingswithvirgilia.blogspot.com/2014/02/did-jennifer-aniston-hate-angelina.html
http://gossipramblingswithvirgilia.blogspot.com/2014/02/did-jennifer-aniston-hate-angelina_18.html
http://gossipramblingswithvirgilia.blogspot.com/2014/03/did-jennifer-aniston-hate-angelina.html
We had to move it from AO3.org, because the posts were reported for not being fanfiction i.e. the people who reported it were mad that I was criticizing Jennifer and Jared Leto….not because I wrote a gossip blog on a fanfiction site. Sigh.
If Jennifer really wanted kids, she would’ve at least adopted. I understand that adoption is not for everyone but I think if she were so desperate (or if she “longed”) to have a kid, she would’ve had one already. I don’t think she wants kids. Commitment-maybe. I think she’s far from being the person that the media makes her to be. I think she’s a person who likes the sun, the margaritas, an arm candy and sex. And making brainless-easy-money comedies. And if this media portrait of her really bothered her (it doesn’t, as she cashes on it every time) she would’ve done something about it. She hasn’t. Therefore….
Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston was always a couple that made zero sense to me. TBH I never did follow them regarding gossip. But Jen always seemed like such an All-American-Girl, pretty, nice and everything, but not a whole lot of exciting. I always assumed that was one of the reasons why her marriage to Brad Pitt didn’t work out as AJ seems to me (even with motherhood and humanitarian work) quite a wild woman at heart. Very different vibe than Jennifer Aniston.
I practically don’t know Justin Theroux at all, except that he played the director in Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive” ages ago (where I did love him), but (pre)judging from pics and everything he doesn’t seem the type to be happy with a nice, pretty All-American-Girl.
My prediction is that those two will split and Theroux will get together with a considerably younger actress who’s got a less “nice” reputation.
On a sidenote: everybody on gossip sites seems to think he’s kind of a douchebag. Why? As I said I hardly know him, so please enlighten me. 🙂
He’s a cheater, for one. He cheated on his partner of 14 years, Heidi Bivens, with Aniston. So basically he’s a cheater and Aniston’s a homewrecker. Also he’s what, in his 40s and he dresses in ultra tight hipster clothes and with his black boot polish hair dye and orange tanspray looks like a douche. He just comes across as a massive try-hard greasy creep to me anyway.
I’m not really a fan of his either, but I think the orange spray tan is Jennifer’s. When he’s not with her he’s not orange.
Ah ok, thank you! Just googled Heidi Bivens and based on looks only she seems a much better match for him… but oh well..
Don’t you all think that Justin is more Angelina’s type than Jennifer’s?
Nah. Jolie most likely would be bored to death—just by waiting for Justin getting ready—whenever they’re about to go out somewhere.
Aww I miss Gerard Butler lol
Stupid story,they aren’t have to say they are happy in every single step
Because they want u to believe their happy (subliminally). Just like they have to say she beautiful all the time like we dont have eyes. There selling a product for you to feel asserting way. Like they always calle her brads ex but never call him jens ex…..things that make you go hmmm.
Certain*
I don’t find Aniston any more Insufferable than Jolie. I’m intrigued by all the posters who think they have the precise timeline of the Aniston-Pitt marriage demise as if their marriage meant nothing. Anniston and Pitt were media darlings perceived by fans as a great couple until Mr and Mrs Smith came out. I don’t hate Aniston and I don’t hate Jolie. I’m equally likely to watch an Aniston film as I am to watch a Jolie film. Pitt has been with Jolie for longer than he was ever with Aniston now. I don’t get the need to demonize either of these women.
Eh, I can’t speak for anyone else–but I am a fan of both Brad and Angelina. I’m not a fan (of her films at least) of Jennifer’s. I am a fan of someone, first and foremost, because I think that they make good movies. I’m young enough to have watched some of their films, before reading gossip–so I already knew who I did and didn’t like before I even came onto this site.
Btw, I love your name……sounds Irish, correct?
Also–to comment on the actual story.
I think that Jennifer and Justin are done already, so meh on if Jennifer has some booty waiting for her in the wings. Go ahead.
But I pray to God that it isn’t Gerard Butler. He is so gross….he acted gross towards her.
Who sticks their finger up a woman’s butt IN FRONT OF the paparazzi, during a photocall, while promoting a film??
Apparently that’s foreplay in Gerard’s mind–that is so gross.
http://celebrityviplounge.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gerard1.jpg
This isn’t even an ass grab….
Also–just saw this on PEOPLE’s site:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20794865,00.html
It’s a rehash of her SELF interview–where she talked about the trailer trash Bloody Mary’s….I saw the time stamp–it’s TODAY….why are they putting out an interview that came out like a month ago, TODAY?
Unless it’s to remind everyone that she’s still engaged, with this line–
“Even with an incredibly busy career schedule, along with a social life to maintain – Aniston is engaged to Justin Theroux – she still manages to set aside time to kick back. ”
And I lol’d at the opening statement–“Jennifer Aniston is known for keeping her private life under wraps,………….”–she’s not gushing over all of her boyfriends, being TMI at the wrong points, in that sense, but she’s also someone who had a ‘Five Years After Brad’ cover, detailing how amazing and better her life was—looking good is the best revenge!!!!! Seriously? I was in middle school when I read that, and even I rolled my eyes….
VC — ROFTL!! Yeah, I totally remember that People cover. That’s when a few of my friends, who still liked Aniston at the time, jumped ship. The headline and story were pretty blatant with Huvane’s standard PR tactics. Huvane’s talking points have now expanded to include (in no particular order): she’s a “natural” beauty, she’s SO busy with work projects, she’s SO happy with fiance Justin and her life now is better than ever.
There’s one thing you can consistently say about Aniston, her PR is not subtle in the least. But then again, she’s paying a pretty penny for it, so I guess you might as well go “whole hog.”
Brad married Jennifer when they were both at the same level in their careers. She was successful, funny, cute and a pretty powerful Hollywood player. When Brad was younger those were the things that mattered. But like many couples who marry, then grow into different people, their relationship eventually faltered. Sure they remained friends but Brad wanted more from life and himself than hanging in Cabo with celebrities, smoking dope and being a star. He’s stretched himself immeasurably since they split, philanthropically, artistically and emotionally. I think if he’d remained with JA he’d be a much less interesting person. He realized that she was hindering his growth because she wasn’t willing to go along on the ride to the next phase, she was firmly entrenched in her comfort zone. AJ was obviously someone he admired for her deliberate breaking away from the Hollywood shtick and fearlessly applied her humanitarian skills to something worthwhile. When he and Anniston split Brad found his wings as a committed philanthropist, parent and creative force in the movie industry with a partner who has the same focus.
Somehow with it all said and done now after all these years i just cannot imagine Brad still with Jen as he has matured in ways that would leave Jen scratching her head saying “So um Cabo are you in or are you out?”
Yeah, they’re in two completely different places now. He’s just grown exponentially, both personally and professionally, in the last 8 years. I definitely prefer the “post 2005” Brad.
I notice there aren’t any photos of her with the glob, or girl bob, or whatever it’s called.