Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Aniston on Brangelina: 'I Was Shocked'

Jennifer Aniston could have been forgiven if she'd taken the bitter ex route in her first post-breakup interview by laying the blame for her split with Brad Pitt on the Angelina Jolie factor. Instead, she takes the high road and says, despite everything, her soon-to-be ex-hubby is "a fantastic man."

"I don't regret any of it, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it," Jen, 36, diplomatically tells Vanity Fair in the in-depth sit-down. "We spent seven very intense years together & a beautiful, complicated relationship."

The actress says she believes Pitt's assertion that he did not pursue a relationship with Jolie before their separation in January, but admits the aftermath hasn't always been easy.

"Am I lonely? Yes. Am I upset? Yes. Am I confused? Yes. Do I have my days when I've thrown a little pity party for myself? Absolutely. But I'm also doing really well," she says.

Still, when the interviewer mentions a rumor about Pitt and Jolie possibly starting a family, Aniston reportedly looks stricken and breaks into tears that last for several minutes.

Jennifer adamantly denies the oft-repeated claim that their marriage unraveled because Pitt, 41, who is now reportedly shacking up with Jolie, 30, her son Maddox, 3, and her newly adopted daughter Zahara at his Malibu mansion, wanted a family and she didn't.

"A man divorcing would never be accused of choosing career over children," rants the star, who reveals that she had planned to spend the last year pregnant. "That really p***ed me off. I've never in my life said I don't want children. I did and I do and I will! The women that inspire me are the ones who have careers and children; why would I want to limit myself? I've always wanted to have children, and I would never give up that experience for a career. I want to have it all."

Jen 'fesses up to being hurt by paparazzi pics that captured Brad spending quality time with Angelina and Maddox on a beach in Kenya.

"The world was shocked and I was shocked," she says. "I'd be a robot if I said I didn't feel moments of anger, of hurt, of embarrassment."

Aniston continues, "I can't say it was one of the highlights of my year. Who would deal with that and say, 'Isn't that sweet! That looks like fun!'? But [bleep] happens. You joke and say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'"

She also wasn't a fan of the 60-page W spread in which Brangelina posed as bored suburban parents.

"There's a sensitivity chip that's missing [in him]," Aniston explains. "I can ... imagine Brad having absolutely no clue why people would be appalled by it."

The actress says she's still single and is fine with it, explaining, "I like a lot of people, but I am sooo not 'in like' with anybody."

But she believes another relationship will come in time: "I am really enjoying being by myself. I'm excited that I know there's somebody out there for me, but I am absolutely in no rush. This is all very fresh, very new. This was a 7-year relationship that was very dear, very complicated, very special. I need to honor it."

While the ex-squeezes are no longer speaking (the divorce will likely be finalized in the fall), Jen does seem to have achieved a bit of closure.

"I love Brad. I will love him for the rest of my life," she admits. "I really do hope that someday we can be friends again."

And like any good friend, Jennifer isn't afraid to speak the truth, taking a light-hearted dig at Pitt's lightened locks: "Billy Idol called -- he wants his look back."

The issue hits stands Aug. 9.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

i was sad for her when they broke up- i thought they would last.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

I do feel for her. She is reminded everyday of her situation. It is just awful!

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

I feel like this article makes her so REAL - you know - I feel sad for her.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Message edited 8/2/2005 2:26:52 PM.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Interesting..she definitely comes out looking like the better person..

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

I also feel bad for her, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

So do we know why they are getting divorced then? (since its not about the kids?)

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

she needs to do what other famous divorced actresses have done recently (nicole kidman, Uma Thurman). Make a kick *** movie - either one where she gets to actually kick some butt or wins an oscar.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

I'm so glad she spoke out first... and she really took the high road. I do feel for her.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Good for her for being the better person.

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

Re: Jennifer Anniston opens up about brangelina

I really like and admire her. She is so strong and genuine.