Jennifer Aniston, known for her role in The Morning Show, has addressed the damaging false narratives surrounding her personal life, particularly regarding her decision to not have children.
At 56, Aniston has portrayed a variety of characters, including businesswomen, friends, mothers, girlfriends, and fashion icons throughout her career.
Despite her on-screen roles, Aniston’s real life has been under media scrutiny, particularly regarding her potential role as a mother and her ability to conceive.
Following her separation from Brad Pitt in October 2005, speculation arose suggesting she was choosing her career over starting a family.
However, the reality was that Aniston was undergoing IVF treatments, which were ultimately unsuccessful.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Aniston talked about her experiences, stating: “They didn’t know my story, or what I’d been going through over the past 20 years to try to pursue a family, because I don’t go out there and tell them my medical woes.”
Aniston continued: “That’s not anybody’s business. But there comes a point when you can’t not hear it – the narrative about how I won’t have a baby, won’t have a family, because I’m selfish, a workaholic. It does affect me – I’m just a human being. We’re all human beings. That’s why I thought, ‘What the hell?’”
In 2016, Aniston penned an op-ed for the Huffington Post, confronting the rumors about her life.
She added: “I knew a lot of women at the time who were trying to have kids, who were dealing with IVF. So it did feel like it was not only for myself, but for any women who were struggling with the same issue.”
While acknowledging that tabloid culture has evolved over time, she expressed concern over the anonymity that social media provides, which can lead to cruelty.
“So now any schmuck can stay anonymous and write whatever the hell they want to write,” she remarked about social media. “I’m sure the guys who came up with it thought it was a great idea and, yeah, congratulations on your billions, but it has taken down a huge portion of humanity.”
Amid the challenges of the digital age, Aniston values her real-life relationships, including her friendship with Adam Sandler, her co-star from Murder Mystery.
“That’s a guy who would lie down on the tracks for me,” Aniston said of Sandler, who she appreciates for sending her flowers each Mother’s Day after learning of her struggles with pregnancy.
Aniston’s interview coincides with the release of season four of The Morning Show, currently available on Apple TV+.