Jen tells pals: “Brad’s been my rock”
After Brad Pitt was spotted at Jennifer Aniston’s 50th birthday party in LA, pals say the exes have been leaning on each other
❛ THERE’S A GREAT FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THEM AND THEY APPRECIATE EACH OTHER’S ADVICE ❜
Insiders claimed they had quietly rekindled their friendship last year, following her split from Justin Theroux, after two and half years of marriage. And last week, speculation around their relationship status heightened when Brad Pitt was spotted sneaking into ex Jennifer Aniston’s star-studded 50th birthday bash – as sources say the exes are now firmly back in each other’s lives.
GREAT CONNECTION
Our source reveals, “Jen and Brad have been in contact for a while now. Jennifer said Brad was really there for her after her split from Justin – she’s told pals he’s been like her rock at times. Brad knows her well and knows just what to say to make her feel better. They had a great connection as husband and wife and it’s still strong as friends.”
And it’s not only Brad that the star has maintained a friendship with. The source adds that Justin – who posted a sweet birthday tribute to Jen, calling her a “fierce woman” – is also still on good terms. And her former boyfriend John Mayer also attended her birthday bash. Other A-list guests included Gwyneth Paltrow – who was previously engaged to Brad Pitt – and fellow actress Kate Hudson.
Brad and Jen got married in a private ceremony in Malibu, California, in 2000, but announced they were separating five years later – amid reports he’d grown close to his Mr & Mrs Smith co-star, Angelina Jolie. Things got worse when Brad and Angelina posed as man and wife with a family for a fashion spread in W magazine soon after the split – and Jennifer blasted Brad for having a “sensitivity chip missing”.
Brad and Angelina embarked on a very public romance, becoming parents to adopted kids Maddox, 17, Pax, 15, and Zahara, 14, as well as biological children Shiloh, 12, and 10-yearold twins Knox and Vivienne. They tied the knot in 2014, after nearly 12 years together.
Rumours A-lister Brad was still on good terms with Jennifer were confirmed in 2015, when she admitted in an interview that they’d “exchanged good wishes and all that sort of stuff to each other, but not a constant thing.”
But in early 2016, it was reported that Brad had enraged Angelina by contacting Jennifer following the death of her mother, Nancy Dow. His marriage to Angelina fell apart in September that same year, with both sides accusing each other of trying to manipulate media coverage in their favour. It was at this point that insiders claimed Brad had reached out again to Jennifer as a source of support.
SUPPORTIVE
Our source says, “Brad was the first to make contact with Jen. She understood he was going through a hard time and wanted to be supportive.
There’s a great friendship between them and they appreciate each other’s advice. Following Jen’s split from Justin, Brad returned the favour and was a sympathetic ear.”
Brad has reportedly been dating actress Charlize Theron since January, while Jennifer is said to be happy being single since her split from Justin.
The source adds, “Everyone at the party was speculating whether there could be more romantic intentions to Brad being there, but both have remained tight-lipped. Jen’s told pals she loved Brad and their marriage together was mostly wonderful, so all this time later she’s just really happy to call him her friend.”