Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were four years into their marriage when rumors of another woman began to surface.
Before the emergence of ‘Brangelina,’ Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were Hollywood’s beloved power couple.
The two had been together for seven years, getting married in July 2000. However, in January 2005, they stunned fans by announcing their separation. Just a few months later, in March 2005, their divorce was officially finalized.
The couple issued a statement regarding their split: “After seven years together, we have decided to formally separate. For those who follow these matters, we want to clarify that our separation is not a result of any of the rumors spread by the tabloid media.”
“This decision comes after much thoughtful consideration. We remain committed and caring friends, with deep love and admiration for each other.”
Their separation happened to coincide with the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which was released in June 2005.
In the film, Pitt portrayed John Smith alongside Angelina Jolie as Jane Smith. According to Courteney Cox, Aniston’s Friends co-star, Pitt had something crucial to share with Aniston before their marriage came to an end.
Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt pictured together in 2001Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Cox revealed, “I don’t believe he was unfaithful in a physical sense, but he definitely felt drawn to her.”
“There was an undeniable connection, and he was upfront about it with Jen. Typically, when people develop feelings for someone else, they keep it to themselves.”
“At the very least, he was truthful about his emotions. It was an attraction he struggled with for a while.”
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt met on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith.20th Century Fox
At the time, Aniston was grappling with the emotional impact of Friends coming to a close after ten successful seasons in 2004. Meanwhile, Pitt was heavily focused on filming with Jolie, and sources claimed he wasn’t there for his wife in the way she needed.
A source shared with PEOPLE magazine: “They gradually lost touch with themselves as individuals. And despite their luxurious lifestyle and having everything they could want, they weren’t happy. They lost their sense of self.”
Shortly after Pitt and Aniston’s separation, he and Jolie made their relationship public. The two eventually married in 2014, but their union also ended in divorce in 2016.
The media frenzy surrounding the situation quickly escalated into a public feud, with Aniston often depicted as the heartbroken ex-wife and Jolie cast as the ‘other woman.’
As Pitt and Jolie’s relationship blossomed in the public eye, fans and tabloids stoked the imagined rivalry between Aniston and Jolie.
Despite the constant rumors, Aniston largely chose to stay out of the drama, avoiding involvement in the spectacle.
Jennifer Aniston’s split from Brad Pitt was tabloid fodder for yearsABC
In 2015, a full decade after her split from Pitt, Aniston finally addressed the ongoing narrative that had placed her in opposition to Jolie.
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she stated, “I think it’s time for people to move past that trivial nonsense and start focusing on celebrating incredible work instead of indulging in pointless drama.”
“I genuinely believe this is gradually fading away. Honestly, it’s just exhausting and outdated. It’s like an old, worn-out leather shoe—it’s time to get a fresh, shiny new pair.”