Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has opened up about an unexpected yet enduring friendship, with none other than Brad Pitt’s former fiancée, actor Gwyneth Paltrow. In a candid conversation for Vanity Fair’s September cover story, the Friends alum not only reflected on her unique bond with Paltrow but also spoke about how the two occasionally talk about their shared romantic past with Pitt.
“Ironically, I went to her and Brad’s engagement party,” she recalled, noting that the connection has only grown warmer over time, as mentioned in a report by USA Today.
The conversations, however, are far from gossip-fueled. Aniston explained that much of their dialogue revolves around everyday matters. “We’re always swapping advice — ‘What are you doing for this? What are you doing for that? Do you have a new doctor for that?’” she shared.
Aniston began dating Pitt at the height of her Friends fame, marrying him in 2000. Their divorce in 2005 came just months before Pitt’s relationship with Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie made global headlines.
Aniston referred to the period as the “love triangle” era — one that was endlessly dissected by tabloids.
“It was such juicy reading for people. If they didn’t have their soap operas, they had their tabloids,” she told Vanity Fair. “It’s a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally.”
Her coping strategy, she added, was simple: “Just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep on walking, girl.”
“We did everything we could when we could,” she said of Perry’s years-long battle with addiction. “But it almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight.”
While acknowledging the pain of his loss, Aniston expressed a sense of relief for her friend. “I’m glad he’s out of that pain,” she added.
As Aniston puts it, the bond is grounded not in shared history with Pitt but in shared wisdom and personal growth.
How did Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow first meet?
They met through Friends star David Schwimmer, who was working with Paltrow on the film The Pallbearer. Aniston even attended Paltrow and Brad Pitt’s engagement party.
How the Friendship Began
Aniston, 56, told the magazine that her introduction to Paltrow came through her Friends co-star David Schwimmer, who was filming The Pallbearer with the Shakespeare in Love actor. Their early interactions led to a surprising social moment, Aniston attended Paltrow and Pitt’s engagement party in the mid-1990s.
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“Ironically, I went to her and Brad’s engagement party,” she recalled, noting that the connection has only grown warmer over time, as mentioned in a report by USA Today.
Conversations About a Shared Past
When asked whether the two ever discuss Pitt, Aniston’s response was straightforward. “Oh, of course. How can we not? We’re girls,” she said, with a laugh.The conversations, however, are far from gossip-fueled. Aniston explained that much of their dialogue revolves around everyday matters. “We’re always swapping advice — ‘What are you doing for this? What are you doing for that? Do you have a new doctor for that?’” she shared.
Hollywood History: Paltrow and Pitt
Paltrow, 52, and Pitt, 61, famously dated after starring together in David Fincher’s 1995 thriller Se7en. The pair were briefly engaged in 1996 before parting ways a few months later.Aniston began dating Pitt at the height of her Friends fame, marrying him in 2000. Their divorce in 2005 came just months before Pitt’s relationship with Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie made global headlines.
Living Through “The Love Triangle”
Aniston referred to the period as the “love triangle” era — one that was endlessly dissected by tabloids.“It was such juicy reading for people. If they didn’t have their soap operas, they had their tabloids,” she told Vanity Fair. “It’s a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally.”
Her coping strategy, she added, was simple: “Just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep on walking, girl.”
A Shift in Priorities
Today, Aniston says her interests lie far beyond Hollywood’s constant scrutiny. “My focus is on metaphysical things and ‘What if there’s something bigger out there than all of us?’” she said. Of fame, she remarked: “It’s not real. My interests are other than that.”Remembering Matthew Perry
The Vanity Fair interview also turned reflective when Aniston spoke about her Friends co-star Matthew Perry, who died in October 2023 at 54 from the “acute effects of ketamine,” according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office.“We did everything we could when we could,” she said of Perry’s years-long battle with addiction. “But it almost felt like we’d been mourning Matthew for a long time because his battle with that disease was a really hard one for him to fight.”
While acknowledging the pain of his loss, Aniston expressed a sense of relief for her friend. “I’m glad he’s out of that pain,” she added.
As Aniston puts it, the bond is grounded not in shared history with Pitt but in shared wisdom and personal growth.
