Jen: “I want to let Brad back into my life”
Following the end of her second marriage, Jennifer Aniston is rethinking her past spats and healing the rift with ex Brad Pitt
In the wake of I her marriage split from Justin Theroux two weeks ago, reports quickly surfaced that Jennifer Aniston had put the Bel Air mansion they shared on the market and had been turning to her exes, former husband Brad Pitt and Gerard Butler – whom she reportedly dated in 2010.
And pals say, since the former Friends star can’t face living in the house they also married in, she’s staying at best friend Courteney Cox’s Malibu home, while the actress is visiting fiancé Johnny Mcdaid in the UK. And now pals say she’s been leaning on her male friends, including Gerard, 48, more than ever.
A pal says, “Jen’s heartbroken, but she’s determined to keep going and focus on healing. The home she lived in with Justin is just too raw and painful to be in. She’s loving being at Courteney’s with her dogs and is having some space from the memories and ghosts of her Bel Air home.
“But when she does feel like company, or a distraction, Gerard has been going round to cook her meals and distract her with funny movies. He’s also getting her out of the house and planning long hikes. He’s been a shoulder for her to cry on – they’ve been close friends for years.”
EMOTIONAL
Insiders reveal Jen, 49, has also taken the opportunity to heal some old wounds with Brad, 54 – to whom she was married for five years before he left her for Angelina Jolie in 2005.
As Closer reported last year, Courteney had an emotional chat with Brad at a charity event in Malibu and told him Jen “doesn’t hold any grudges” and was “wishing him the best.” And now pals say Jen’s beginning to forge a new friendship with Brad – who’s currently going through a messy divorce and custody battle with Angelina after their 2016 split.
A pal reveals, “Everyone would love to see Brad and Jen get back together – it would be the perfect fairy tale. But there aren’t any signs of that happening. For the moment it’s baby steps, but they are forming a friendship again.
STAYING POSITIVE
“After going through a painful marriage breakdown himself, Brad understands what Jen’s dealing with and he’s been an incredible support. He’s been texting, giving her advice on how to stay positive with various techniques he has used. He’s also been making her laugh – something Jen said she hadn’t done for a long time. She feels like she’s ready to let him back into her life as friends.”
Reports surfaced last week that Jen and Justin, who wed in 2015, were never legally married as there was no evidence of a marriage licence – but pals say Jen has shot down the claims and now wants a quickie divorce from Justin, 46.
It was also reported last week that Justin had found sweet little Postit notes from Brad that Jen had kept from when they were married, which is said to have contributed to Justin’s insecurity in their relationship.
The source says, “Jen wants this over with as quickly and painlessly as possible. She’s already looking at new homes for a fresh start. They signed a prenup and don’t have any children, which should make things fairly straightforward. She’s already instructed her lawyers to start proceedings.
“She wants to move out to Malibu, so she can be close to Courteney and her other pals. She’s also planning to jet to India with two girlfriends in May, so she can start looking forward to the future.”