Reese Witherspoon on Jennifer Aniston’s ‘Warm and Calm’ Approach to Staying Friends with Exes

Reese Witherspoon has lifted the lid on her long-time friend Jennifer Aniston’s remarkable ability to stay on good terms with her exes, after the Friends star went public with her boyfriend, Hollywood hypnotist Jim Curtis.

In a new interview on Monday, Reese, 49, reflected on her 25-year friendship with Aniston, describing her as ‘really warm and welcoming’ and revealing that the actress makes sure not to burn bridges when it comes to past relationships.

Reese said on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast: ‘We’ve known each other so long and we are very different people. She’s really warm and welcoming. She’s a big host. She’s very warm and friendly. I think I’m more nerdy.’

The pair, who co-star in the hit Apple TV series The Morning Show and played sisters in Friends, share a deep bond off-screen. 

Reese explained how she has long admired Jennifer’s ability to remain open-hearted despite a lifetime lived under public scrutiny. 

She said: ‘I used to be really rigid. I think my edge has softened. Life does that to you. But Jen, I will say, I’ve known Jen 25 years, 26 years…

‘She’s always been really lovely and nurturing and warm and friendly and kind – and has been through her own stuff. And has reason to be a little guarded.’

Reese admitted she once broke down when she was defending her friend against fan speculation about her private life.

She said: ‘I’ve cried in one of our interviews because I was like, I just think people are so unfair sometimes that they think they know her and make assumptions. She’s not who people think she is. She’s not holding onto old things.’

When Dax asked if that meant Jennifer wasn’t ‘pining for Brad Pitt’, Reese replied: ‘No. She’s doing great. At her 50th birthday – one of the biggest testaments I can say to what a wonderful person she is…

‘People from her teenage years, people from her twenties, people who work in her home, every ex-husband, ex-boyfriend, was there. She just is like a high-spiritual integrity person.’

Jennifer’s 50th birthday bash, held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, made headlines at the time after it was reported that her ex-husband Brad, 61, was among guests.

Dax clarified: ‘She’s not a burner of bridges?’ to which Reese replied: ‘Correct.’ Her comments come as Jennifer appears to have finally found happiness with Jim Curtis. 

The actress made her relationship with the 50-year-old hypnotherapist Instagram official on Sunday, posting a black and white photo of the pair embracing to celebrate his birthday.

‘Happy birthday my love. Cherished,’ she wrote in the caption, alongside a red heart emoji. Curtis replied with a kissing face emoji.

The image showed the couple smiling joyfully as Jennifer wrapped her arms around Jim from behind.

Friends including Amy Schumer, Olivia Munn and Leslie Mann rushed to share their excitement in the comments, whie one fan wrote: ‘This version of you is my fav! Healthy, happy, successful and in love! You really deserve this, Jen!’

Jim, who describes himself as a ‘transformational coach and hypnotherapist’, has reportedly been dating Jennifer since last summer. 

The pair were first spotted holidaying together in Mallorca over the Fourth of July weekend and have been inseparable ever since.

‘They do everything together, they are always together, and if they have to be apart, they are on the phone all the time,’ a source told the Daily Mail in August. ‘They are so hot and heavy, it’s crazy.’

Jennifer was married to Brad Pitt from 2000 until 2005 – before he went on to marry his now-ex-wife Angelina Jolie – and later to Hollywood star Justin Theroux from 2015 until 2018.