How Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt’s pals are trying to get them back together

After drifting apart and falling out over Kanye West, A-list friends of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt are stepping in to help salvage the former couple’s friendship

jennifer aniston brad pitt

by Daisy McClure |
Updated on

Despite their shock divorce in 2005, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have formed an increasingly close friendship since he was spotted at her 50th birthday party last year.

But Brad’s recent fling with married 27-year-old German model Nicole Poturalski, and Jen actively discouraging fans from voting for Brad’s pal Kanye West in the lead-up to the presidential election, appeared to have wrecked the friendship all over again.

brad pitt jennifer aniston
Brad and Jen together earlier this year ©Getty Images

Just a week on, insiders say Jen and Brad’s mutual A-list pals – including Matthew McConaughey and Ellen DeGeneres – don’t want to be caught in the middle and are trying to help the pair get back on better terms.

Attempting to break the ice during an interview last week, Matthew joked that the sexual tension between the exes was “palpable” when they all appeared via Zoom to perform a table read of the script of classic ’80s comedy Fast Times At Ridgemont High in September.

Check out: the most shocking celebrity breakups of the decade

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Most shocking breakups of the decade - slider

Louise and Jamie Redknapp1 of 30
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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 Cole2 of 30
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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 McPartlin3 of 30
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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 French4 of 30
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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 Hollywood5 of 30
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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 Jolie6 of 30
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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 Green7 of 30
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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 Jenner8 of 30
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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 Brand9 of 30
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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 Odom10 of 30
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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 Humphries11 of 30
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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 Jama12 of 30
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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 Klum13 of 30
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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 Gray14 of 30
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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 Cheryl15 of 30
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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 Piggy16 of 30
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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 Disick17 of 30
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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-Versini18 of 30
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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 Malik19 of 30
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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 Konecki20 of 30
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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 Faris21 of 30
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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 Dewan22 of 30
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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 Shayk23 of 30
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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 Holmes24 of 30
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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 Theroux25 of 30
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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 Bloom26 of 30
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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 Hemsworth27 of 30
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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 Pattinson28 of 30
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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 Duhamel29 of 30
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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 Mulligan30 of 30
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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.

brad pitt jennifer aniston
Brad and Jen together in 2001 ©Getty Images

“Could I feel the heat through the screen of Brad? So palpable. Yeah, it was so palpable,” the 51-year-old quipped.

And pals say it was one of many tactical moves friends have made to dispel tension between the pair following their recent fallout, with Ellen thinking of inviting both of them to her house in LA when she can and it’s safe to do so.

Closer magazine
©Closer magazine

The source says, “Everyone loves seeing Jen and Brad back together and how happy they’ve been since reconciling, so friends have been trying to settle the dust and mediate to ensure a spat doesn’t escalate into destroying their relationship – especially after everything they’ve been through over the years.

“Matthew knew his comments would make them both laugh, and it worked to dispel the tension.

“It can cause issues within the wider group if there’s tension between Brad and Jen. Ellen prides herself on being everyone’s buddy, and as soon as she can she’s keen to get them over for a low-key gathering so they can catch up in a relaxed environment and get comfortable around each other after a rocky few months.”

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Following their divorce – said to be sparked after Brad, 56, fell for his now estranged wife Angelina Jolie, 45, on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith – the pair didn’t speak for 13 years.

But after his bitter split from Angelina in 2016, and Jen’s divorce from actor Justin Theroux two years later, the pair were said to have grown close again after reaching out to support one another.

Earlier this year, their close friend Melissa Etheridge, who sang at their wedding in 2000, spoke out about reports the pair were getting close again, saying, “I believe they will always remain friends, because they’re two very special people that can get through anything. I just hope their friendship lasts, because they share one hell of an unbreakable bond.”

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