Justin Theroux admits he feels 'protective' of ex Jennifer Aniston amid engagement to Nicole Brydon Bloom
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Justin Theroux, who recently got engaged to his girlfriend Nicole Brydon Bloom, 30, admitted in a recent interview that he is still "protective" of his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston, almost seven years after their divorce.
In an interview with The Times, the 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' actor, 53, recently discussed the upcoming movie and opened up about his past romance with the 'Friends' star, 55.
Justin Theroux says ex-wife Jennifer Aniston 'still very dear to' him
Justin Theroux and Jennifer Aniston began dating in 2011 and got engaged the following year. Three years later, they exchanged vows in a backyard ceremony in August 2015. However, they announced their separation in 2018.
The couple has remained close friends even after their divorce. Theroux emphasized in The Times interview how strong their bond still is.
He told the outlet that Aniston remains "very dear" to him and praised her for addressing JD Vance's divisive comments about "childless cat ladies."
"She is still very dear to me," Theroux admitted.
He and Aniston parted ways in 2017 after having a discreet, star-studded wedding two years earlier at her $21 million Bel-Air estate. They publicly announced their divorce in February 2018, per Daily Mail.
In a joint statement, they emphasized that there was no animosity between them and that they intended to remain friends.
Theroux also discussed Aniston's recent response to Sen JD Vance's 2021 remarks, in which he referred to women without children, including Vice President Kamala Harris, as "childless cat ladies."
The 'Friends' actress, who does not have any children, criticized Vance for his anti-IVF views and for referring to Kamala Harris and others as a "bunch of childless cat ladies, who are miserable about their own lives."
"Of course, yeah, I feel protective. But she batted back criticism, as she should," the 'Mulholland Drive' actor admitted.
Aniston, who has previously shared her own IVF journey, commented on her Instagram Stories at the time, "All I can say is… Mr Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day."
"I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too," the 'Murder Mystery' star added.
In 2022, Aniston confessed to Allure magazine that she had tried IVF in her 30s and 40s, but the procedure was unsuccessful in conceiving a child.
Justin Theroux is currently engaged to actress Nicole Brydon Bloom
Justin Theroux's comments about Jennifer Aniston came as news emerged that he had proposed to younger actress Nicole Brydon Bloom, with a ring featuring both of their birthstones.
The couple sparked engagement rumors following their appearance at the global premiere of Tim Burton's highly anticipated sequel 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' starring Theroux, at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.
Theroux told The Times about his engagement to the 30-year-old, saying, "Of course, I was nervous proposing. It is a question after all, so the answer isn’t guaranteed. But it was wonderful."
The pair has only occasionally been spotted together since their first public appearance in February 2023.
The couple marked a significant moment when Theroux accompanied Nicole to her twin sister Chrissy's wedding in December 2023. Nicole shared a mirror photo of herself and the actor smiling on a staircase with a group of their loved ones.
Nicole, like her fiance, is a Hollywood actress, best known for her role in Julian Fellowes' upcoming series 'The 'Gilded Age.'
