Will Jen ever find lasting love?
HOLLYWOOD actress Jennifer Aniston is once again looking for love after splitting from husband Justin Theroux.
The 49-year-old former Friends star and screen writer, and actor Justin, 46, have parted amicably after less than three years of marriage.
The A-list duo made an unusual public declaration, insisting they would maintain “the deep respect and love” they had for each other.
They also insisted they would continue their “cherished friendship” but gave no reason for their divorce.
The announcement came after the rumour mill had begun swirling, with many remarking on the fact that the couple were attending events on their own.
Jennifer was seen celebrating her 49th birthday on Sunday with female friends – including fellow Friends star Courteney Cox – but there was no sign of Justin.
There had also been reports that she was spending much of her time in Los Angeles while he was in New York. As the marriage unravelled, the pair embarked on an apparent last-ditch attempt to save it with a holiday to Mexico last month.
But yesterday, in a joint statement, they announced they were splitting following a “mutual and lovingly” made decision brokered at the end of last year.
“In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation,” they said. “We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship. Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly.”
The couple married in August 2015, having become engaged three years earlier. They do not have any children.
Jennifer, whose previous marriage to Brad Pitt also crumbled, had recently hit out at gossip culture, telling Marie Claire magazine: “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.”
The highs and lows of her love life have been played out very publicly over the years.
Jennifer and Brad’s marriage in 2000 made headlines around the world but there was even more publicity when they filed for divorce five years later.
Speculation from fans and in the media focused on Brad’s relationship with Angelina Jolie, whom he met on the set of 2005 film Mr & Mrs Smith. They later went on to marry and have children before they too split in 2016.
At the time, “Team Aniston” and “Team Jolie” T-shirts were worn by rival fans. Brad, 54, has always denied allegations of cheating.
Jennifer later went on to date her co-star in the movie The BreakUp, Vince Vaughn, from 2005 until 2006 – her first major relationship following her divorce from Brad.
But this too fizzled out and in 2008 she began an on-off romance with singer John Mayer. They called time on their relationship the following year.
The actress then met Justin on the set of their 2011 film Wanderlust.
Despite Jennifer’s desire for privacy, she is unlikely to get it, and yesterday’s announcement quickly led to widespread social media speculation that she might now get back together with Brad.
JENNIFER ANISTON is single again having split from her husband. Worrying about Jen’s love life was once a global preoccupation. Now it looks as though fans will have to start doing it all over again. Just like old times.