Their rekindled friendship was confirmed when Jennifer Aniston invited Brad Pitt to her 50th birthday celebrations two years ago – and now insiders reveal how the pair have been comforting each other through recent difficult times.
In February, friends revealed how – despite fans hoping for a reunion between the Hollywood exes – Jen, 52, had been quietly dating a TV producer she’d met on set of her series, The Morning Show.
She first sparked speculation in November when she shared a snap to Instagram with a mystery man’s legs in the background, with insiders saying the “down-to-earth, handsome” man “makes her laugh and feel safe” .
![jennifer aniston](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/60f7/ed29/744c/9738/f717/c6b5/jennifer-aniston-mystery-man.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
However, just last month, Jen gushed about her bond with Brad, 57, saying “Brad and I are buddies, we’re friends” after they worked together on a Hollywood reading session, with their friend Matthew McConaughey commenting on their “palpable” sexual chemistry.
And pals say Jen’s newfound friendship with the Fight Club star has led to her most recent heartbreak.
The source says, “Anyone would understandably feel intimidated by their partner’s close friendship with an ex – let alone with a star like Brad.
“The world has been longing for them to get back together, so that naturally put a strain on them and led to a lot of tension.
![brad pitt jennifer aniston](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/60f7/ed49/db16/038d/023d/df2f/jennifer-aniston-brad-pitt-reunite.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
“Brad ultimately scared off her new man – he found it hard being in Brad’s shadow and it affected things to the point where Jen felt she had no choice but to call time on the romance.
“Brad and Jen are in regular contact – if they’re not in the same area, they call each other, and after she confessed to the latest split during one of their chats, he genuinely felt sorry for her that it didn’t work out. He told her that she is a great person, that she deserves all the happiness in the world and that’s all he wants for her, which really touched her –she’s pleased they’ve got a bond again.”
Jen was famously heartbroken in 2005 when Brad ended their five-year marriage, amid rumours he’d fallen in love with Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith.
She later said her ex was “missing a sensitivity chip” after snaps emerged of him and Ange frolicking on the beach with her adopted son, Maddox, shortly after their split and she’d sobbed “silent tears” after learning Angelina was pregnant with their first biological child, Shiloh, two months before their divorce was even finalised.
![brad pitt angelina jolie](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/60f7/edce/db16/033d/233d/df3b/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
However, the former couple have since renewed their friendship and were seen embracing at the SAG awards in early 2020 – with Brad mouthing “wow!” at his ex who wore a figure-hugging dress.
There was further speculation they were getting back together, with a source telling Closer that he was supporting her plans to adopt a baby from an orphanage in Mexico.
The source continues, “Brad and Jen’s close bond may seem peculiar to some, but for Jen, it’s allowed her to have closure on that painful chapter of Brad leaving her for Angelina.
“It is comforting for her to see how much Brad cares for her, and he tells her she deserves the best, which means a lot to her given he is someone who knows her so well.”
Check out: the most shocking celebrity breakups of the decade
Most shocking breakups of the decade - slider
![Louise and Jamie Redknapp](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/e1a9/0f54/90f3/9738/3315/louise-jamie-redknapp-shocking-celebrity-breakups-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Louise and Jamie Redknapp
They were the British A-list couple that we thought would last but the world was stunned in July 2017 when Louise and Jamie Redknapp confirmed they'd split after 19 years together. Months later Louise opened up about the end of her marriage and following the end of the Redknapp marriage, it was reported that celebrities were refusing to sign up to the BBC show because of the Strictly curse.
![Cheryl and Ashley Cole](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dfea/0f54/90b7/9838/3305/ashley-cole-cheryl-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Cheryl and Ashley Cole
Cheryl and Ashley Cole first met in 2004 and quickly became an A-list couple. Two years later they tied the knot in an extravagant wedding. However, in 2010 following cheating allegations that were splashed across the media, Chez split from her footballer husband.
![Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/df40/1f06/7f5c/30a2/45c1/lisa-armstrong-ant-mcpartlin-shocking-celebrity-breaksups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin
Lisa Armstrong and Ant McPartlin had been together for 23 years and married for 11 but in January 2018, the TV presenter confirmed he was filing for divorce following his rehab stint.However after a drink driving arrest, a second visit to rehab and liking a lot of shady tweets – the pair officially divorced nine months after splitting.
![Lenny Henry and Dawn French](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/e159/0f54/9084/f338/3312/lenny-henry-dawn-french-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Lenny Henry and Dawn French
At the beginning of the decade, Dawn French and Lenny Henry announced they were splitting after 25 years of marriage.
![Paul and Alex Hollywood](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dfaf/0f54/904b/9438/3300/paul-hollywood-alex-hollywood-shocking-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Paul and Alex Hollywood
Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood and his wife Alex split after 20 years together. They'd previously split in 2013 after the GBBO star had an affair with his American co-star but they managed to patch things over and make things work. For a while.
![Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/d68c/27ff/0a5d/4279/5746/angelina-jolie-brad-pitt-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
We still can't believe Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie split in 2016 after ten years together and two years marriage. The couple are parents to six children; Maddox, 18, Shiloh, 13, Pax, 16, Zahara, 14, Vivienne, 11, and Knox, 11. Even George Clooney was stunned at the news; well, to be fair he did find out during an interview.
![Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/de57/1f06/7f33/83a2/45b9/millie-mackintosh-professor-green-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green
We thought they'd be a real-life Romeo and Juliet (minus the death) but Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green called it quits after being married for three years. We weren't the only ones who thought they were a power couple; remember when Craig Lawson joked he'd be the next Pro Green and Millie with Camilla Thurlow? Yeah, that didn't last.
![Bruce and Kris Jenner](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dc23/0f54/90f7/6038/32d0/bruce-jenner-kris-jenner-shocking-celebrity-breaksup-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Bruce and Kris Jenner
They're the head of the Kardashian/Jenner household but in 2013 the world was shocked when Bruce and Kris Jenner announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage. A year later, Kris filed for divorce and cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason. A month after their divorce was finalised, Bruce publicly came out as a transgender woman – Caitlyn.
![Katy Perry and Russell Brand](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dd0d/0f54/9065/d338/32e0/katy-perry-russell-brand-shocking-celebrity-breakup-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Katy Perry and Russell Brand
One of the most heart-breaking celebrity break ups was definitely Katy Perry and Russell Brand, after all, she found out their 14-month marriage ended via TEXT. Their entire split was shown on her documentary Part of Me and remarkably Katy still performed on stage just hours after Russell announced he wanted to end their marriage.
![Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dd31/1f06/7f24/e2a2/45a3/khloe-kardashian-lamar-odom-shocking-celebrity-breaksup-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom had only known each other for three weeks before they tied the knot. Yes, really. They lasted four years before the Keeping Up with The Kardashians star filed for divorce. However, in 2015 she withdrew the file after Lamar suffered a drug overdose and she had to take control of his health decisions. There were reports that the pair would reunite but in 2016 their divorce was finalised.
![Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dd4a/1be0/458f/772b/d939/kim-kardashian-kris-humphries-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries
Kim appeared to have followed in the footsteps as her younger sister Khloe when she got engaged to Kris Humphries after just seven months. She documented her 'dream' wedding on Keeping Up with The Kardashians but their relationship didn't last and they split just 72 DAYS after their wedding. Their breakup was also documented on their show.
![Stormzy and Maya Jama](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dd63/27ff/0a7b/8f79/5782/stormzy-maya-jama-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Stormzy and Maya Jama
We're still devastated about Stormzy and Maya Jama splitting, tbh. They were the dream team and had been together for four years – despite being very private they appeared in Vogue magazine together and the grime artist dedicated a song to her. However in August 2019 they called it quits and the TV presenter unfollowed him on Instagram.
![Seal and Heidi Klum](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dca0/0f54/9020/ef38/32d5/seal-heidi-klum-shocking-celebrity-breaksup-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Seal and Heidi Klum
Seal and Heidi Klum renewed their wedding vows every year on their anniversary however after a seven-year marriage they called it quits. The A-list couple are parents to four children; Leni (who Heidi had from a previous relationship, but Seal adopted) and during their relationship they also welcomed Henry, Johan and Lou into the world.
![Gary Lucy and Natasha Gray](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/e013/1f06/7f3a/cba2/45ca/gary-lucy-natasha-gray-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Gary Lucy and Natasha Gray
After dating for 10 years and then being married for four, Gary Lucy and Natasha Gray called time on their marriage. The pair confirmed the news in a statement saying, "This was a very difficult decision, but was reached mutually and amicably. No other parties are involved."
![Liam Payne and Cheryl](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/d86b/27ff/0a58/8079/5754/cheryl-liam-payne-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Liam Payne and Cheryl
We're pretty sure the world was shocked when Liam Payne and Cheryl announced they were dating. However they then went on to welcome baby Bear Grey Payne into the world and despite breakup rumours they posed together at the Brit Awards in 2018. Unfortunately a few months later – and a total of two years together - they split.
![Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/ddd0/27ff/0a2e/0879/5785/kermit-the-frog-miss-piggy-shocking-celebrity-breaksups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy
This break up is still a bit weird and we're not really sure why it happened because – spoiler alert – they're not real people. Anyways, in 2015 the puppets announced the end of their relationship in a lengthy statement.
![Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/de1b/27ff/0a31/7e79/578f/kourtney-kardashian-scott-disick-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
Another KUWTK break up – this one more surprising than the others – was Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick. The pair had been together for nine years and during that time they welcomed Mason, Penelope and Reign. They'd split a few times throughout their relationship – which included Scott doing to rehab and cheating allegations. However in 2015 they split for good.
![Cheryl and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dee2/1be0/454b/d32b/d94e/cheryl-jean-bernard-fernandez-versini-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Cheryl and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
Cheryl literally surprised the world when she announced on Instagram that she had eloped with Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini after three months of dating. The pair seemed totally in love until Cheryl raised concerns among fans after losing a lot of weight and slammed any split rumours by revealing her father in law had died. Unfortunately their romance wasn't to last and after 18 months of marriage they split.
![Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/e0ec/0f54/9067/6938/330e/perrie-edwards-zayn-malik-shocking-celebrity-breaksup-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik
Little Mix's Perri Edwards and One Direction's Zayn Malik were X Factor sweethearts. They supported each other's career, posted adorable snaps and even got a puppy together. The singers then got engaged but two years later – following cheating accusations and after Zayn quit One Direction – it came to light that he ended their relationship. While she claimed he dumped her via text, he denied it.
![Adele and Simon Konecki](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/e131/1f06/7f19/41a2/45d6/adele-simon-konecki-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Adele and Simon Konecki
She's notoriously private with her life but in 2019 is came to light that Adele and her husband Simon Konecki had split. Awhopping £145m is the figure being talked about in relation to their divorce. In 2012 they welcomed their only child into the world – Angelo.
![Chris Pratt and Anna Faris](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/d82e/90a4/164b/72c0/aa86/chris-pratt-anna-faris-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced they were splitting back in 2018 and a few months later their divorce was finalised. At the time they released a statement, saying: "We tried hard for a long time, and we're really disappointed. "Our son has two parents who love him very much and for his sake we want to keep this situation as private as possible moving forward."They went on to say they "still have love for each other".
![Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/d7ba/90a4/1677/b2c0/aa81/channing-tatum-jenna-dewan-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
Step Up stars Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan called it quits after being married for eight years. At the time they insisted they'd "lovingly chosen to separate as a couple". During their relationship they welcomed their daughter Everly into the world.
![Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/da8b/90a4/16a3/5ac0/aaa7/bradley-cooper-irina-shayk-shocking-celebrity-split-breakup-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk
We were devastated in June 2019 when one of the hottest A-list couples – Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk – split after four years together. Apparently the parents to their daughter Lea De Seine hadn't "been good for a few months".
![Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dbf0/27ff/0a7d/0b79/5773/tom-cruise-katie-homles-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes dated for seven years and were married for six but in 2012 it came to light that she had filed for divorce. He later spoke out and admitted he "did not expect" the turn of events.
![Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/daf2/1be0/4501/c72b/d916/jennifer-aniston-justin-theroux-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
Friends star Jennifer Aniston and her husband Justin Theroux called it quits after being married for two years. At the time they said the "decision was mutual and loving" and it appeared to be the truth because a year later to paid tribute to his ex-wife to celebrate her 50th birthday.
![Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/db8d/1f06/7feb/9fa2/458d/miranda-kerr-orlando-bloom-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom
Victoria's Secret model and Hollywood actor Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom broke up after six years together. After being married for three years they announced they'd been "amicably separated for the past few months" before confirming their relationship had ended.
![Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/d8d7/27ff/0a70/f979/5757/liam-hemsworth-miley-cyrus-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth lived a real-life story after falling in love on the set of The Last Song. However after four years together they split. They were then on/off but decided to call it quits AGAIN after eight years together. Their relationship didn't end there though because they reunited and got married but eight months after their wedding they split again.
![Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/dccb/1be0/458e/432b/d930/kristen-stewart-robert-pattinson-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson
Another couple who took the world by surprise were Twilightstars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. They met on the set of the vampire phenomenon back in 2009 and fell in love. While we all thought it would last, it didn't. Their relationship hit a rough patch in 2012 when Kristen's affair with her married director Rupert Sanders was exposed by paparazzi. Robert forgave her and they tried to make it work but they split a few months later.
![Fergie and Josh Duhamel](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5dca/db5b/1f06/7f7b/baa2/458a/fergie-josh-duhamel-shocking-celebrity-breakups-split-over-the-decade.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Fergie and Josh Duhamel
After eight years together Fergie and Josh Duhamel announced their split. Fast forward two years and Fergie filed for divorce.
![Matt Leblanc and Aurora Mulligan](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/620a/88c0/4a7c/a973/985d/7f32/matt-le-blanc-Aurora-Mulligan.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Matt Leblanc and Aurora Mulligan
In news that shocked Friends fans the world over, In February 2022 it was reported that Matt LeBlanc - best known for playing Joey Tribbiani on the show – had split from his girlfriend of six years, Top Gear producer Aurora Mulligan.
![Closer magazine](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/60f7/ecaf/bb97/9cbd/1819/76b8/closer-magazine.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
And in return, Jen has also “expressed sympathy” for Brad as his legal battles with Angelina rumble on.
Next month will mark five years since their shock split in what has become one of the longest, most tumultuous divorces in Hollywood history – stretching over twice as long as their two-year marriage.
And last week, there was no sign of an end to their battle, with Angelina launching a legal battle to sell her share of Chateau Miraval – the £50m French vineyard she co-owns with Brad.
The estate – which they bought in 2008 and which has its own chapel where the couple tied the knot in 2014 – is said to have been one of the main “sticking points” dragging out their bitter settlement which has still yet to be finalised. Legal fees are said to have already set them back a whopping £1.5m.
Angelina, 46, has asked a judge to let her sell her share in the property. Her lawyers are also apparently claiming that Chateau Miraval should be considered her property.
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The exes have been at loggerheads since their split in September 2016, which was reportedly sparked after Brad got into a drunken row with Maddox, 19, on a private jet flying from Paris back to their home in LA with their other adopted children, Pax, 17, and Zahara, 16, and their three biological children, Shiloh, 15, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 13.
The source adds, “Jen has expressed sympathy that his legal case with Ange is dragging on. Despite feeling hurt, she doesn’t want him having all this stress in his life and she knows how much he misses seeing his children every day. She’s said she will be there if he needs her, even if it’s just to vent to or to offload.
“Even though she is still hurting after her split from her boyfriend – and insisting she and Brad are platonic rather than romantic – it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a huge amount of love and respect for him. He was the biggest, and best, part of her life, once.”
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