Jennifer Aniston is offering rare insight into the emotional fallout of her 2005 divorce from Brad Pitt, reflecting on the intense media scrutiny and the vulnerability she felt at the time, per people.com.
In a newly published September cover interview for Vanity Fair—20 years after her first post-split cover with the magazine—the 56-year-old actress called the period “such a vulnerable time” and a moment “for the memoirs.”
Aniston, who was married to Pitt for nearly five years, confessed that the media frenzy surrounding their breakup made her feel personally targeted. “It was such juicy reading for people,” the Morning Show star said. “It’s a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally.” She added that she “didn’t have a strong enough constitution to not get affected by” the rumors, pushing back on the idea that celebrities should simply “take it.”
Surprisingly, Aniston also recalled making the 2006 film The Break-Up immediately following her split, calling the experience “cathartic.” Though nervous producers worried the role was “insensitive,” Aniston saw it as a “great opportunity” that would “benefit me emotionally, just as a human being.”
The former couple, who have since rekindled a friendship, went on to marry other people—Pitt to Angelina Jolie, and Aniston to Justin Theroux. Aniston is currently dating hypnotherapist Jim Curtis.
