How Jennifer Aniston’s new man healed her heartache over Brad Pitt

As Jennifer Aniston has reportedly found love again with a mystery man, insiders reveal the new romance has helped her to establish distance and boundaries from ex Brad Pitt following their recent reconciliation

brad pitt jennifer aniston

by Daisy McClure |
Updated on

While she has remained single since her 2018 marriage split from Justin Theroux, it has not stopped her love life from hitting the headlines – thanks to her reconciliation with first husband Brad Pitt, with whom she’s formed a close friendship over the past few years.

But any glimmer of hope of a romantic reunion between Hollywood’s former golden couple appeared to be dashed last week amid fresh reports that Jennifer Aniston, 52, has found love again with a “down-to-earth, handsome” man who “makes her laugh and feel safe”.

She first sparked speculation that a new man was in her life in November, when she shared a snap to Instagram with a mystery man’s legs in the background, prompting questions from fans as to who they belonged to.

jennifer aniston
'she can't keep the smile off her face- it very much took her by surprise' ©Getty Images

US sources say Jen finds it “so refreshing” that her new beau was not a Friends fan, adding that they shared a love of “independent and foreign films, cooking, and dogs.”

Now insiders tell Closer that, while it is still early days, the star of Apple TV+ series The Morning Show has told pals this could be her third time lucky.

A source says, “Jen’s on cloud nine and can’t keep the smile off her face. She notoriously hates being set up, but this happened very organically with someone she met on set filming the second series of The Morning Show. It very much took her by surprise.

“He gave her a portrait of her beloved late dog Dolly for her birthday, which really touched her, and hired the head chef from her favourite Mexican restaurant to cook a dinner on Valentine’s Day.”

Check out: 35 celebrity couples we forgot about

Gallery

35 celebrity couples we forgot about SLIDER

Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson1 of 44
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1. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson

Jennifer and Owen dated for a short time in 2008 after filming Marley & Me together.

Sandra Bullock and Matthew Mcconaughey2 of 44
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2. Sandra Bullock and Matthew Mcconaughey

Sandra Bullock and Matthew Mcconaughey became a couple after starring in A Time To Kill together. Despite the fact they looked SUPER CUTE together with their matching glossy curls, their relationship lasted less than two years.

Seal and Tyra Banks3 of 44
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3. Seal and Tyra Banks

Before Seal married Heidi Klum and started throwing THE BEST Halloween parties of all time (seriously, if you don't know, check them out), he briefly dated model and 'smize' enthusiast, Tyra Banks.

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss4 of 44
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4. Johnny Depp and Kate Moss

We don't want to be dramatic, but Kate Moss and Johnny Depp were probably the hottest couple OF ALL TIME.

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss5 of 44
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Johnny Depp and Kate Moss

Seriously, just look at them. That hair! Those cheekbones! PHWOAR!

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss6 of 44
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Johnny Depp and Kate Moss

The couple met in 1994 - when Johnny was 31 and Kate was just 20 - and dated for four years and were reportedly even engaged.

Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal7 of 44
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5. Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal

Brace yourselves, ladies, for you're about to witness pictures of dreamboat Jake Gyllenhaal looking TOTALLY besotted with another woman. The woman in question is, of couse, Kirsten Dunst, who he dated from 2002 - 2004.

Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal8 of 44
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Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal

Look, here he is gently cupping her face as he stares adoringly into her eyes...

Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal9 of 44
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Kirsten Dunst and Jake Gyllenhaal

And here they are snogging each other's faces off in a doorway. JEALOUS!

Kate Bosworth and Orlando Bloom10 of 44
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6. Kate Bosworth and Orlando Bloom

Long before he went naked paddle boarding with Katy Perry, British actor Orlando Bloom dated super-chic actress Kate Bosworth.

Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere11 of 44
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7. Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere

Wow, these two REALLY looked great together. Just look at them! Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere first met in 1987 when Cindy was just 21, and wed four years later. Sadly their huge 17-year age gap proved fatal, and the couple divorced just four years later in 1995.

Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling12 of 44
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8. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Gosling

Yes, much to everyone's surprise, Ryan Gosling and Sandra Bullock were once a 'thing'. Briefly.

Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger13 of 44
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9. Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger

Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin were married for nine years and have one child - Ireland Baldwin - together. Sadly, their relationship ended in a bitter divorce in 2002.

Blake Lively and Penn Badgley14 of 44
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10. Blake Lively and Penn Badgley

Long before Blake was ultimate #CoupleGoals with hubby Ryan Reynolds, she made Gossip Girl fans' dreams come true by dating her GG co-star Penn Badgley. Sadly the couple broke everyone's hearts by splitting up three years later, but we think we can all agree it was for the greater good.

Natalie Portman and Moby15 of 44
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11. Natalie Portman and Moby

Yes, Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman briefly dated the much-maligned musician (and fellow vegan), Moby. Strangely, the only image we could find of them was this one where they're posing with Questlove and Black Thought from The Roots and even more inexplicably, Natalie's holding a cake. GO FIGURE.

Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson16 of 44
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12. Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson

Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson's relationship may have been short (it only lasted about a year), but it had HUGE ramifications - mainly because Ted was married at the time and his affair with Whoopi resulted in his second divorce. Gulp.

Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt17 of 44
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13. Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt

Can we all just take a moment to remember just how great Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt were together. Look - they even had matching hair! The couple, who were together from 1994 - 1997 met when Gwynnie was just 24, and were even engaged. Talking about the relationship years later, Oscar winner Gwyneth admitted: "I f----- that up, Brad!" REGRETS!

Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck18 of 44
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14. Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck

Who do you possibly date if you've just broken up with Brad Pitt? Well, if you're Gwyneth Paltrow, that answer's Ben Affleck. The couple dated on and off till 2000.

Sienna Miller and Rhys Ifans19 of 44
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15. Sienna Miller and Rhys Ifans

Let's take a trip back to 2007, when Sienna Miller had everyone asking, 'WTF does SHE see in HIM?' when she began dating super-scruffy Welsh actor Rhys Ifans (yes, we know he's probably got a great personality, but COME ON!).

Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon20 of 44
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16. Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon

Back when Kim Kardashian was BFFs with Paris Hilton and still had most of her real face (circa 2006), she was doing the dirty with Nick Cannon - aka. Mariah Carey's baby daddy.

Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon21 of 44
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Kim Kardashian and Nick Cannon

And look, here they are posing with a topless woman who's carrying a snake. Good times!

Ashton Kutcher and January Jones22 of 44
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17. Ashton Kutcher and January Jones

Before we all knew her as Betty Draper in Mad Men, January Jones dated Ashton Kutcher. The couple dated from 1998 - 2001, but sadly, despite the fact they look seriously happy in this snap, it turns out Ashton was a bit of a jerk. Talking to GQ in 2009, January admitted: "He was not supportive of my acting... He was like, 'I don't think you're going to be good at this."

Kiera Knightley and Jamie Dornan23 of 44
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18. Kiera Knightley and Jamie Dornan

Long before he was dark and brooding and Christian Grey, Jamie Dornan was the dark, brooding boyfriend of Kiera Knightley. Lucky girl!

Chris Evans and Jessica Biel24 of 44
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19. Chris Evans and Jessica Biel

Yes, Jessica Biel (who's now happily to married to Justin Timberlake) used to date Captain America! Sorry, we mean, Chris Evans. Who knew?

Madonna and Sean Penn25 of 44
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20. Madonna and Sean Penn

Madonna's dating history is long and varied - from legendary artist Jean Michel Basquiat to, er, Vanilla Ice - but let's take a minute to remember that her first husband was none other than Sean Penn. The couple were married from 1985 - 1989, and although they weren't suited in many many ways, they certainly looked great together.

Jennifer Lopez and Wesley Snipes26 of 44
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21. Jennifer Lopez and Wesley Snipes

J-Lo has had some hot, and seriously famous, O/H's (hiya Diddy, Marc Anthony, Ben Affleck!), but did you know she briefly dated actor Wesley Snipes in the mid-90s? No, neither did we!

Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin27 of 44
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22. Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin

And the award for the cutest celeb couple of all time is... Mila Kunis and Macaulay Culkin. Seriously, just look at them! We. Can't. Cope.

Winona Ryder and Matt Damon28 of 44
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23. Winona Ryder and Matt Damon

Winona Ryder and Matt Damon met in 1997 after being introduced by Gwyneth Paltrow (who was dating Matt's mate Ben Affleck at the time). The couple became official in 1998, but broke it off just two years later in 2000.

Owen Wilson and Sheryl Crow29 of 44
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24. Owen Wilson and Sheryl Crow

Owen Wilson dated All I Wanna Do singer Sheryl Crow from 1999 - 2001. Here they are having a red carpet snog which Sheryl doesn't look 100% comfortable with. Eek!

Courteney Cox and Michael Keaton30 of 44
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25. Courteney Cox and Michael Keaton

Courteney Cox and Michael Keaton dated for an impressive (in Hollywood terms, at least) six years. Following their split in 1995, Courteney said: "It's the most important relationship I've ever had, and I think he's the most wonderful person I've ever met." Awww!

Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn31 of 44

26. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn

Remember when Jennifer Aniston dated Vince Vaughn? The couple started dating after filming The Break Up together (which was possibly a bad omen) because, as you can see from this snap of them not enjoying each other's company, it wasn't really #CoupleGoals

Ryan Reynolds  and Alanis Morissette32 of 44
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27. Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morissette

Does Ryan Reynolds and Alanis Morisette strike anyone else as a bit of an odd coupling? Yes, we know they're both Canadian, but still. Anyway, the couple dated for five long years after meeting at Drew Barrymore's birthday party in 2002 (IMAGINE!), and were even engaged to be married.

and Alanis Morissette33 of 44
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and Alanis Morissette

Sadly they never made it down the aisle, but they did manage to get in A LOT of PDAs before splitting in 2007.

George Clooney and Lucy Liu34 of 44
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28. George Clooney and Lucy Liu

George Clooney's dated more gorgeous women than we've had hot dinners, but we were particularly into his short-lived fling with Charlie's Angels star Lucy Liu.

Johnny Depp and Kate Moss35 of 44
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29. Cameron Diaz and Jared Leto

Look at these cool kids! Yep, Cameron Diaz and Jared Leto dated from 1999 - 2003 and were reportedly even engaged. We think they looked pretty great together tbh.

Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz36 of 44
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30. Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz

Despite the fact that Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz dated for two years (2003 - 2005) and were even engaged, the only photos we could find of the pair was this seriously awkward encounter with Nicole's hubby Keith Urban.

Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz37 of 44
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Nicole Kidman and Lenny Kravitz

Like, REALLY awkward. Let go of her hand, Lenny!

Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.38 of 44
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31. Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.

Yes, that is Robert Downey Jr. And yes, he dated Sarah Jessica Parker - for an incredible seven years in fact! We love this snap of them looking seriously cute and gawky back in 1990!

Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.39 of 44
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Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr.

And here they are at the London premiere of SJP's film LA Story shortly before their split in 1991.

Whitney Houston and Ray J40 of 44
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32. Whitney Houston and Ray J

We LOVED Whitney, but she really did have awful taste in men. At the time of her death the legendary singer was dating Ray J (of Kim Kardashian sex tape fame).

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake41 of 44
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33. Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake began dating after meeting at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in 2003 (proof that love can strike any time, any place). The couple dated for almost four years, and appeared to spend much of their relationship looking loved-up at sports events. Here they are staring lovingly into each other's eyes at a charity basket ball game...

Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake42 of 44
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Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake

And here they are having a cheeky snog at a Lakers game. As you do.

Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan43 of 44

34. Jennifer Aniston and Tate Donovan

Before Brad, Jennifer Aniston dated Tate Cooper- who you'll probably know as Jimmy Cooper, Marissa's hot dad in The O.C.

Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz44 of 44
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35. Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz

And finally, who can forget the time that Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz began dating and everyone REALLY hoped they'd get married and double barrel their names #Mems

jennifer aniston brad pitt
Backstage at the SAG Awards in January last year ©Getty Images

Shortly after their 2005 divorce, Jen admitted she was “shocked” when rumours that her then husband Brad, 57, had fallen for Angelina Jolie, 45, on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith were confirmed.

But following the end of Jen’s marriage to Justin, the pair had formed a closer bond, with fans going into a frenzy over hopes of a romantic reunion after Brad attended her 50th birthday bash in February 2019. They later sent the internet into overdrive when they were seen embracing behind the scenes at the SAG Awards in January 2020, following the breakdown of his marriage to Angelina in 2016.

Then, last September, the pair reunited online for a charity read-through of the script of 1982 classic comedy movie Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Brad was seen blushing as his ex read to him, “I think you’re so sexy. Will you come to me?”

jennifer aniston jennifer theroux
She's on good terms with second husband justin theroux too ©Getty Images

But earlier this month insiders told Closer how Jen was forced to remind herself of the boundaries of their newfound friendship after being left upset over rumours Brad could be fathering a child with his ex, Nicole Poturalski, 28.

Now pals say since meeting her new man, Jen has started to carve out a different dynamic with Brad – and moving on romantically has ensured she has finally put to bed any hope of a romance with him.

The source says, “Jen’s incredibly spiritual and truly believes in good karma having a knock-on effect on every aspect of your life. For Jen, having any unresolved feelings for an ex seeps out into new romances, and she’s aware how that can affect things. Being on good terms with both Justin and Brad is important to her.

“Her new man is very open and understanding of her continued friendships, and it’s another reason why Jen was so attracted to him – he isn’t threatened by her past.

“While Jen admitted that lines may have been blurred in the past with Brad, she’s put strict boundaries in place to ensure her new partner never feels threatened. It’s given her the push to establish some healthy distance and heal any heartache she may feel about her past with Brad.

“She’s now mindful about their dynamic. She won’t pick up Brad’s calls while she’s with her boyfriend, but she is happy to invite him alongside her other pals on group meet-ups.”

Closer magazine
Get the best celeb interviews in Closer magazine each week ©Closer magazine

Jen’s amicable relationship with her exes was even said to have inspired her BFF, Courteney Cox, to accept the offer to appear in Scream 5 amid concerns over working with her ex-husband, David Arquette, 49 – who she met while filming the first film in the franchise in 1996.

Pals revealed how Jen urged Courteney, 56, to keep her emotions in check and remain professional at all times amid her fears their familiarity could cause tension on set and affect their amicable relationship co-parenting their 16-year-old daughter Coco.

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Insiders have also told Closer how Jen – who last year hinted that motherhood was still on the cards when she revealed she sees “kids running” in her future – is adopting a much-longed-for child from a Mexican orphanage of which she has long been a supporter.

And pals say while she was preparing for single parenthood, the actress’ new man has vowed to support and help bring her child up together as a family.

The source adds, “Jen was initially concerned about breaking the adoption news to him, and feared it could scare him off – especially as he already has teenage kids of his own.

“But his reaction of overwhelming support and admiration for her made her realise just how special he is and further cemented the relationship – telling pals while it may have taken her 52 years, she may finally be getting her dream come true.”

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