Why Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are so “very proud” of their split

People


Why Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux are so “very proud” of their split

By Kayleigh Dray

7 years ago

Earlier this year, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux revealed that they had separated at the end of 2017 after two years of marriage. Here, he explains why they are “very proud” of their split.

In February 2018, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux – who tied the knot in a secret ceremony in August 2015, after four years of dating – confirmed their separation.

Now, in a new interview, Theroux has addressed the break-up for the first time, calling it “heartbreaking,” yet “gentle.”

“The good news is that was probably the most – I’m choosing my words really carefully – it was kind of the most gentle separation, in that there was no animosity,” the actor, who is currently promoting his new Netflix show, Maniac, told the New York Times.

“Again, neither one of us is dead, neither one of us is looking to throw hatchets at each other,” he added. “It’s more like, it’s amicable. It’s boring, but, you know, we respected each other enough that it was as painless as it could be.”

Theroux went on to say that, while the split was “heartbreaking”, this was “only in the sense that the friendship would not be the same, as far as just the day to day.”

“But the friendship is shifting and changing, you know,” he said, “so that part is something that we’re both very proud of.”



Earlier this year, Aniston and Theroux confirmed their split, adding that they intended to keep their decision private, but “given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly”.

“This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year,” their joint statement read.

“We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.

“Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another,” the statement added.

It is, of course, understandable that Aniston and Theroux – who reportedly met on the set of comedy film Wanderlust – have criticised tabloid gossips in their statement: after all, the couple have been dogged by baseless split rumours for years.

Praising Aniston’s “badass” ability to rise above tabloid speculation about her personal life, Theroux previously told the Sunday Times Magazine: “She has lived through a lot of bullshit.

“Many people would have crumbled under some of the stresses that have been put on her. I’m very proud of her for that, for the way she handles herself.”

And, striking a similar note, Aniston told the press: “My marital status has been shamed, my divorce status was shamed, my lack of a mate had been shamed, my nipples have been shamed.

“It’s like, why are we only looking at women through this particular lens of picking us apart? Why are we listening to it?

“I just thought: ‘I have worked too hard in this life and this career to be whittled down to a sad, childless human.’”

Images: Rex Features

undefined

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.