Jennifer Aniston says fans have ‘no idea’ what she’s been through ‘medically or emotionally’ when it comes to having children
CHILDLESS Jennifer Aniston has criticised pressure on women to be mothers or else be seen as “damaged goods”.
In her first interview since divorcing Justin Theroux, the Hollywood star, 49, hit back at claims she cannot hang on to a man and is too selfish to have kids.
The former Friends actress said people had no idea what she had been through “medically or emotionally”.
She insisted she was not “heartbroken” following her break-up with the actor, 46, in February and hinted she was not made to be a mother.
Jennifer, who split from second husband Justin after two years, was also married to screen idol Brad Pitt, 54, for five years until 2005.
Shooting back at cruel online jibes, she said: “It’s pretty crazy.
"The misconceptions are ‘Jen can’t keep a man’ and ‘Jen refuses to have a baby because she’s selfish and committed to her career’. Or that I’m sad and heartbroken.
“First, with all due respect, I’m not heartbroken. And second, those are reckless assumptions. No one knows what’s going on behind closed doors. No one considers how sensitive that might be for my partner and me.
“They don’t know what I’ve been through medically or emotionally. There is a pressure on women to be mothers, and if they are not, then they’re deemed damaged goods.
“Maybe my purpose on this planet isn’t to procreate. Maybe I have other things I’m supposed to do?”
Jennifer also spoke about her experience of sexual harassment in the workplace in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
But she said she was treated worst at the hands of women.
She told InStyle mag: “I’ve definitely had some sloppy moves made on me by other actors, and I handled it by walking away.
“I have never had anyone in a position of power make me feel uncomfortable and leverage that over me. In my personal experience, I have been treated worse verbally and energetically by some women in this industry.”
The actress had her breakout role as Rachel Green in US sitcom Friends, which ran for ten years and 236 episodes from 1994.
And she said she was open to it being revived, despite reluctance from former co-star Matt LeBlanc, 51.
Jen said she and other ex-cast members Courteney Cox, 54, and Lisa Kudrow, 55, talk about it.
She added: “I fantasise about it. It really was the greatest job I ever had. I don’t know what it would look like today, but you never know.
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“So many shows are being successfully rebooted. I know Matt LeBlanc doesn’t want to be asked that question anymore. But maybe we could talk him into it.”
Jennifer stars in upcoming musical comedy Dumplin’ about the overweight daughter of a former beauty queen.
Country legend Dolly Parton, 72, wrote six songs for the film and they became pals as they anonymously attended a viewing.
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