‘A Vulnerable Time’: Jennifer Aniston Reflects on Brad Pitt Split With Rare, Heartfelt Honesty

Jennifer Aniston is opening up with rare, heartfelt reflections on her 2005 breakup with Brad Pitt, a time she describes as deeply personal and emotional. In a new Vanity Fair cover interview for the magazine’s September issue, the “The Morning Show” star, 56, reflected on the time following their nearly five-year marriage.

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The story comes almost 20 years after her original September 2005 Vanity Fair feature, “The Unsinkable Jennifer Aniston,” her first interview after their breakup.

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Aniston Recalls 2005 Interview as a ‘Jarring’ Yet Memorable Moment

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“I haven’t looked at that article in forever,” Aniston said of the 2005 piece. “I just remember the experience of doing it, which was kind of jarring. It was also such a vulnerable time. But yeah, that was one for the memoirs.”

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Making “The Break-Up” Amid Real-Life Heartbreak

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In her new interview, the “Friends” alum also recalled filming 2006’s “The Break-Up” with Vince Vaughn while navigating her own separation. “I might’ve just gone through a separation — that little separation, I’m sure nobody remembers that,” she joked.

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She explained that the studio was initially nervous to approach her for the role.

“They thought, ‘Oh, is that insensitive? Is it inappropriate?’ But I actually thought, ‘What a great opportunity.’ I knew it would actually kind of benefit me emotionally, just as a human being, and also serve the script and the character pretty well.”

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A Look Back at Their Relationship

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Aniston and Pitt met through their managers in 1994, began dating in 1998, and married in a lavish ceremony in July 2000. They separated in 2005, later marrying other partners. Pitt wed “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” co-star Angelina Jolie, while Aniston married actor Justin Theroux.

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Today, Pitt is dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, and Aniston is with hypnotherapist Jim Curtis. In 2020, the former couple delighted fans with two friendly reunions, a backstage embrace at the SAG Awards, and a virtual “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” table read.

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Coping With Media Attention & Moving Forward

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Reflecting on the media storm surrounding her breakup, Aniston admitted it was “juicy reading for people” and compared tabloids to soap operas. “It’s a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally.”

She recalled telling herself, “Just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep on walking, girl.” But the scrutiny took its toll. “I didn’t have a strong enough constitution to not get affected by” the rumors, she said.

“We’re human beings, even though some people don’t want to believe we are. They think, ‘You signed up for it, so you take it.’ But we really didn’t sign up for that.”