Jennifer Aniston’s love life has long fascinated the public, especially following her highly publicized divorce from Brad Pitt in 2005. When she married fellow actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux in 2015, fans hoped she had finally found lasting love.
However, when the couple announced their separation just two years later in 2017, speculation swirled once again. Chief among the rumors was the suggestion that Aniston’s lingering connection to Brad Pitt played a role in the breakup.
But now, Justin Theroux has finally spoken up, offering rare insight into their relationship and its quiet dissolution.
In a candid interview with Esquire, Theroux laid to rest the persistent speculation—including those involving Aniston’s first husband, Brad Pitt—and revealed that their breakup was rooted not in drama, but in reality.
A Love That Began on Set
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s love story began in 2011 on the set of the comedy Wanderlust. Their chemistry quickly blossomed into a romance. By August 2012, Theroux had proposed to Aniston while they were in New York celebrating her birthday.
The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in August 2015 at their Bel-Air home, surrounded by close friends, including Courteney Cox and Jimmy Kimmel.
For a while, things seemed idyllic. Aniston and Theroux shared a home, a dog, and a deep affection for each other that was evident in interviews and red carpet appearances. But by late 2017, things had started to shift behind closed doors.
Breaking the Silence
In the years following their split, neither Aniston nor Theroux publicly discussed what had gone wrong. The silence fueled rumors.
Tabloid headlines claimed the couple had clashed over where to live—Aniston preferring the sunny ease of Los Angeles and Theroux drawn to the edgier vibe of New York.
Others speculated that Aniston had never truly moved on from Brad Pitt, suggesting his reappearance in her life—particularly after his split from Angelina Jolie in 2016—had complicated things.
In his interview with Esquire, Theroux finally pushed back on these narratives.
“That’s a narrative that is not true, for the most part,” he explained. “People create narratives that make themselves feel better or simplify things for them.
That whole ‘This person likes rock ‘n’ roll, that person likes jazz. Of course!’ That’s just not the case. It’s an oversimplification.”
He emphasized that their split had nothing to do with geography or incompatible personalities—and certainly not with any lingering relationships from the past. In fact, the notion that Brad Pitt caused tension between them appears to be entirely unfounded.
Still Friends—No Drama
One of the most surprising revelations in Theroux’s interview was how amicable his relationship with Aniston remains.
While many celebrity divorces are accompanied by drama, bitterness, or complete radio silence, Theroux and Aniston have chosen a different path.
“Like it or not, we didn’t have that dramatic split, and we love each other,” Theroux said. “I’m sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship. We can not be together and still bring each other joy and friendship. It would be a loss if we weren’t in contact, for me personally.”
The two still keep in touch, according to Theroux, and have even been spotted together publicly since their divorce.
One notable instance was Aniston’s annual “Friendsgiving” celebration, where Theroux was among the invited guests. They exchange texts, FaceTime, and genuinely seem to support one another in their post-marriage lives.
Theroux’s comments clearly show there was no third party involved in their breakup—not Pitt, and not anyone else. If anything, it was the natural evolution of a relationship between two people who came to realize they were better off as friends.
What About Brad Pitt?
Brad Pitt’s name often resurfaces in connection to Jennifer Aniston’s romantic life, especially after their friendly reunion at the 2020 SAG Awards, where photos of the former couple backstage sent the internet into a frenzy.
Though fans and tabloids alike hoped for a rekindled romance, both Aniston and Pitt have repeatedly clarified that they are simply friends.
In multiple interviews, Aniston has made it clear that she harbors no ill will toward Pitt. In fact, their renewed friendship seems to be based on mutual respect and shared history, not romantic intent.
As for any overlap between Pitt’s presence and the end of her marriage to Theroux, the timeline doesn’t support the theory. Aniston and Pitt reconnected publicly after she and Theroux had already separated.
Their divorce was announced in early 2018, but Theroux said the decision was made “lovingly” at the end of the previous year. That timing makes it unlikely that Pitt had anything to do with their decision to part ways.
A Quiet End to a Private Love Story
Theroux and Aniston released a joint statement at the time of their separation, noting, “We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.”
Those words, often seen as Hollywood platitudes, have proven to be genuinely reflective of their post-divorce relationship. There was no custody battle, no fights over assets, and no media war. Their story ended the same way it was lived—quietly, with love and respect.
So, did Jennifer Aniston break up with Justin Theroux because of Brad Pitt? Absolutely not. According to Theroux himself, their split was a mutual, thoughtful decision untainted by the drama often suggested in tabloids.
The couple simply grew apart but retained a deep appreciation and fondness for one another. Brad Pitt’s name may generate headlines, but in this case, he had no role in the story.
Their breakup serves as a reminder that not all separations are messy or dramatic. Sometimes, love evolves into something different—a friendship rooted in shared memories and mutual respect. That’s exactly what Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux continue to offer each other.
In the end, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux’s breakup wasn’t about lingering love for an ex or clashing lifestyles. It was simply two mature individuals realizing their romantic journey had ended. Their continued friendship is a testament to their mutual love and growth.
