Seven years after their high-profile split, actor Justin Theroux is opening up about his current relationship with ex-wife Jennifer Aniston—and it might not be what fans expected. In a new, candid interview with The Times, Theroux, 53, revealed that the two have maintained a deep friendship, one that has quietly endured despite the public spotlight, changing partners, and busy lives that followed their divorce.

A Relationship That Didn’t End in Bitterness

Theroux, best known for his roles in The Leftovers and more recently Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, spoke warmly about Aniston, now 55. “We’re still close,” he said simply. “She’s someone I continue to admire and care about deeply.”

Their relationship began in 2011 when they co-starred in the comedy Wanderlust. By 2012, they were engaged, and in August 2015, they married in a private ceremony at their Los Angeles home. But their wedded bliss was short-lived. In early 2018, the couple announced their separation, releasing a joint statement describing the decision as mutual and lovingly made. They stressed their intention to remain friends—a rare sentiment in Hollywood splits, and one they’ve apparently honored.

At the time, sources close to the couple pointed to geographical differences as a major issue. Theroux preferred the fast-paced life and anonymity of New York City, while Aniston was firmly rooted in Los Angeles, where her career and support system were centered.

Mutual Respect in a Changing World

Despite the physical distance and new romantic paths, Theroux hasn’t stopped publicly supporting his ex-wife. In his interview, he expressed pride in Aniston for her recent response to Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, who made controversial remarks about childless women—comments that struck a nerve for many, including Aniston.

“I was proud of how she handled it,” Theroux said. “She said what needed to be said. I’ll always want to protect her.”

Aniston, who has long been open about her struggles with fertility and the societal pressures placed on women without children, hit back at Vance in July 2024 with a scathing Instagram post. “I truly cannot believe this came from someone aiming to represent all Americans,” she wrote. “All I can hope is that if your daughter chooses motherhood one day, she never has to turn to IVF as a second choice—because she’ll know it’s a powerful, beautiful first one.”

Theroux echoed those sentiments, calling Aniston’s voice “important” and “compassionate.” His words offered a reminder that the end of a marriage doesn’t have to mean the end of mutual respect and support.

Moving On Without Cutting Ties

While Jennifer Aniston remains single and relatively private about her love life, Theroux has recently found happiness with another actress—Nicole Brydon Bloom. The couple went public in 2022 and have kept a low profile ever since. Last week, during a trip to the Venice Film Festival in Italy, Theroux proposed.

“I was nervous, of course,” he admitted with a grin. “But it was a perfect moment. She said yes, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Despite his new chapter, Theroux remains in touch with Aniston. The two were spotted having dinner together in New York in April 2023, joined by a group of mutual friends. Their reunion sparked a wave of fan speculation, but insiders quickly confirmed there was nothing romantic behind the outing—just two old friends catching up.

“They’ll always have a bond,” a source close to the former couple told People last year. “It’s not romantic, but it’s real. They genuinely care about each other.”

Jennifer Aniston: Strong, Single, and Unapologetic

While Theroux has embraced his engagement, Aniston has leaned into a different kind of fulfillment. Now 55, she remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. In 2023, she ranked among the ten highest-paid actresses thanks to her role in Murder Mystery 2, her continued success on The Morning Show, and residual income from Friends, which continues to stream to millions of fans worldwide.

Aniston is also known for her wellness-focused lifestyle—regular workouts, yoga, travel, and a deep love for her dogs, which she frequently features on social media. She lives a relatively quiet life in Los Angeles, surrounded by longtime friends like Courteney Cox and Jason Bateman.

In a 2022 interview with Allure, she reflected on the idea of marriage and motherhood, revealing that while she’s open to love, she no longer feels pressure to define her happiness through traditional milestones.

“I’ve learned to enjoy being on my own,” she said. “But sure, I still hope to find someone to come home to and say, ‘Wow, today was hard.’ That intimacy, that comfort—it’s something I think most people crave.”

She also opened up about her past efforts to become a mother, including undergoing multiple rounds of IVF—efforts that ultimately didn’t result in a child. “I’m at peace with it now,” she said. “It was painful, but I’ve moved through it. I don’t feel regret.”

A New Era for Both

With both Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux—her two most public former partners—now moving forward with new relationships, speculation has swirled around Aniston’s future. Will she marry again? Is she truly content alone?

Aniston herself may have given the clearest answer. “I’m not saying never,” she told Allure. “But I’m not chasing anything. If love finds me, it finds me. Until then, I’m pretty good on my own.”

As for Theroux, his chapter with Aniston appears to have closed not with resentment, but with enduring affection. In a town where broken relationships often lead to lifelong silence or public feuds, their friendship is an anomaly—one rooted in respect, shared history, and the rare ability to wish each other well, even from a distance.

It’s a modern love story in its own right—not about staying to