In a year filled with global headlines, Meghan and Harry’s royal exit, a pandemic, and a U.S. election, one unexpected moment captivated fans worldwide: Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s reunion at the 2020 SAG Awards.
The former couple, married from 2000 to 2005, both took home awards that night, and their backstage embrace instantly went viral. As Jennifer walked away, Brad briefly held onto her hand, a moment that sent social media into a frenzy raising the hopes of millions to the hope of a potential reconciliation.
Their relationship has long been the subject of speculation, particularly because of what happened following their split. A few days after the couple were seen spending New Year’s Eve together in Anguilla, the pair released a joint statement announcing they were set to divorce.
It read: "We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate. For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media.
Following their separation, Brad was linked to his Mr & Mrs Smith co-star Angelina Jolie although a source close to the Fight Club star maintained that nothing improper happened while he was married. Someone close to the actor told PEOPLE at the time. “He’ll go to the grave saying that.”
When Pitt and Jolie were snapped together enjoying a romantic holiday in Kenya, Jennifer told Vanity Fair: "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 s***happens. You joke and say, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'"
She then added: "I would much rather everyone move on. I am not defined by this relationship. I am not defined by the part [the media is] making me play in the triangle. It's maddening to me."
Promoted Stories
Despite their highly publicised breakup, the two remained amicable. "Brad and I are buddies, we're friends," Aniston told Howard Stern in 2021, adding, "There's no oddness at all."
While fans continue to hope for a romantic rekindling, Pitt put the rumours to rest in 2020 when asked if they’d get back together, simply laughing and saying, "Oh my God."
After their split, both went on to wed other people, Brad to Angelina Jolie, with who he shares six children and Jennifer to actor Justin Theroux.
Over the years the former pair have appeared to rekindle their friendship. In 2020 they delighted fans with not one, but two reunions: a backstage embrace at the SAG Awards, and a virtual table reading of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Brad’s southern drawl of “Hey Anniston” to her “Hey Pitt” probably lives rent-free in the minds of millions.
When asked when she and Brad were “healed” by Vogue in 2008, she told the magazine that it was “never that bad”. She went on: "I mean, look, it's not like divorce is something that you go, 'Oooh, I can't wait to get divorced!' It doesn't feel like a tickle. But I've got to tell you, it's so vague at this point, it's so far away in my mind, I can't even remember the darkness.
“I mean, in the end, we really had an amicable split. It wasn't mean and hateful and all of this stuff that they tried to create about Brad can't talk to Jen and Jen can't talk to Brad because this person won't allow it. It just didn't happen. The marriage didn't work out."
Following their ‘reunion’ in 2020, Jennifer had nothing but nice things to say about her former husband, explaining on The Howard Stern Show in 202 that “it was absolutely fun” to see him. She shared, "Brad and I are buddies, we're friends. And we speak and there's no oddness at all.”
