For almost three decades, Jennifer Aniston has been a beloved figure and a global pin-up. It may be surprising to learn that the 49-year-old former Friends star experienced bullying in her childhood. In a recent interview with InStyle magazine, the Dumplin’ actress opened up about being childless, addressing rumors about her love life, sharing her experiences with women in Hollywood, and discussing her thoughts on the MeToo movement.
Isn’t this adorable? Jennifer Aniston has captivated fans worldwide as a pin-up icon for almost three decades. It’s surprising to think that the 49-year-old former Friends star faced bullying during her childhood. Check out this sweet picture of her growing up in Los Angeles.
Grown-up now: In a candid interview with InStyle magazine, the actress from Dumplin’ opened up about her experiences growing up, including being childless, addressing rumors about her love life, navigating challenges with women in Hollywood, and reflecting on the impact of the MeToo movement.
Aniston shared, “I was one of those kids who experienced bullying for reasons I couldn’t quite understand. During fifth, sixth, seventh grades, I was often targeted for being a little chubby. It was a tough time, and I internalized a lot of what was said about me.”
Reflecting on the vulnerability of childhood, the actress from We’re The Millers acknowledged how those early experiences shaped her perception of herself.
The beginning wasn’t smooth sailing for Aniston: She shared, “I was one of those children who experienced some bullying for no apparent reason.” This photo shows her during her time on the Ferris Bueller TV show in 1990.
In the photo, you can see Jennifer Aniston playing the role of Jeannie Bueller, Charlie Schlatter as Ferris Bueller, Brandon Douglas as Cameron Frye (standing), and Ami Dolenz as Sloan Peterson.
Her experience: During fifth, sixth, and seventh grades, I was often the target of ridicule by other kids. Being a bit chubby at the time, I was labeled as “that kid.” Fortunately, back then, I didn’t have access to a phone or social media to compare myself to others. All I wanted was to have a good time playing games like capture the flag.
In her upcoming movie, Dumplin’, she takes on the role of a former beauty queen. When asked if she had ever participated in pageants, Aniston chuckled and denied it, saying, “That’s funny. Have you seen what I looked like as a child?” She mentioned how the perception of beauty is evolving in society, which is a central theme of the film – the idea of redefining standards of beauty and challenging societal norms.
However, she managed to push through it. The actress from “We’re The Millers” reflected on her childhood struggles, acknowledging that it was a sensitive time for her. She admitted that some of the hurtful comments from that period may have stuck with her. This was observed in 1990.
When the spotlight shone on them, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and David Schwimmer became the faces of the hit TV show Friends back in 1994. Reflecting on the recent decision to eliminate the swimsuit competition from the Miss America pageant, the actress from Along Came Polly expressed her support for the change. She believes that beauty should not be confined to a specific body type or size, emphasizing that it’s time to embrace all shapes and sizes. Currently filming Murder Mystery in Italy with Adam Sandler, the blonde actress revealed her newfound love for boxing as part of her exercise routine. Embracing this new form of fitness, she shared her enthusiasm for this physically demanding workout.
Fitness enthusiast: Aniston revealed in 2014 that her target weight range is between 100 to 113 pounds. Recently, the actress from Horrible Bosses shared that she has discovered a new and enjoyable way to feel content with her weight.
The former Friends star mentioned, ‘I have this amazing trainer named Leyon, who I think is the best. Boxing has become the longest workout routine I have stuck with consistently, aside from yoga.
‘Boxing involves a mental challenge that is different from just cycling. The drills engage your brain, making it an amazing workout.’
Moreover, boxing helps her release any pent-up frustrations she may have.
Aniston expressed, ‘Boxing is an effective way to let out aggression. It provides a mental escape from the negativity we are bombarded with daily, allowing you to indulge in some fantasy moments of punching someone in your mind.’
‘I’m thankful it’s not a real person I’m punching, although there might be one person in mind. You get what I mean. It’s all in good fun.’
More enjoyable than going for a run is how the Friends star described her experience with boxing training. She praised her trainer Leyon, saying he is the reason she has been able to stick with the workouts regularly, aside from yoga. She highlighted the mental challenges of boxing drills, stating that it keeps her brain engaged unlike simply cycling on a stationary bike. This was reported in 2015.
Everything is fine: Boxing helps her cope with frustrations. “Boxing is a fantastic outlet for pent-up aggression. It allows me to release all the negativity I absorb daily and have little daydreams about punching something,” she explained.
During her interview, she discussed the way the media has labeled her. “It’s really wild. People think I can’t hold onto a relationship, or I’m avoiding having kids because I’m too focused on my job. Some even assume I’m constantly sad and heartbroken. But honestly, I’m not heartbroken,” the actress revealed.
Jennifer parted ways with Justin Theroux this year and is in the process of getting a divorce. She was previously married to Brad Pitt for five years and has also had relationships with Vince Vaughn and John Mayer.
Jennifer ended her relationship with Justin earlier this year, as noted in 2017. The actress from Wanderlust spoke out against the assumptions surrounding her decision not to have children, stating that nobody truly knows what goes on in someone’s personal life. She expressed frustration at being compared to Angelina Jolie, who has six children, pointing out the insensitivity of such comparisons towards her and her partner. Jennifer also hinted at potential medical or emotional challenges that may have influenced her choice. She criticized the societal pressure on women to become mothers, emphasizing that perhaps motherhood is not her designated path in life and that she may have other callings to fulfill.
Ideal career: A native of Los Angeles, she is currently working on a Netflix film in Italy alongside Adam Sandler. In a photo, she is shown with her hairstylist and makeup artist.
Regarding the pressure of constant public scrutiny, Aniston admits to having breakdowns, although she keeps them private. “There are times when I feel out of balance, but I prefer to deal with that in my own space. Most of the time, I can brush off the ridiculous headlines because they have become increasingly absurd,” she shared. “I think they cater to a certain public demand, but I prefer to focus on my work, my relationships, my pets, and contributing positively to the world. The gossip is just empty calories that should be disregarded.”
When discussing the issue of sexism, the actress revealed, “I have certainly faced sexism in the industry.”
Capturing footage of Adam aboard a yacht, stationed in the beautiful waters off the coast of Italy.
Women are often unfairly judged and compared based on their appearance and clothing. In Hollywood, when a couple breaks up, it is typically the woman who is blamed and labeled a failure. When was the last time you heard a divorced, childless man being called a spinster? Jennifer Aniston also shared her experience of facing inappropriate advances from fellow actors in the workplace, but she knew how to handle it by walking away. She also stated that she has never been made to feel uncomfortable by someone in a position of power who tried to leverage that against her.
Luke Evans, in the company of Jennifer and Adam, complimented their professionalism on set. Meanwhile, Jennifer Aniston opened up about her experiences with mistreatment from some women in the industry, without specifying names. She expressed her support for the Time’s Up movement, emphasizing the importance of listening to each other, including men in the conversation. Aniston highlighted the need for constructive dialogue and avoiding aggression, quoting Michelle Obama’s advice to “go high” when faced with negativity. On another note, “Murder Mystery,” a film depicting a couple implicated in a billionaire’s murder, is set to premiere in 2019.
Having a blast: David Walliams posted a picture from the filming location featuring Jennifer, Adam, and Luke.