Why Justin Theroux Felt ‘Protective’ About Ex Jennifer Aniston Amid Exchange With JD Vance

Justin Theroux continues to have Jennifer Aniston‘s back more than six years after their marriage ended. The actor, who has now moved on with his fiancée Nicole Brydon Bloom, recently discussed how he felt about the Friends actress spat with Republican VP nominee JD Vance.

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actor, in a new interview, dished on the state of his relationship with his ex-wife. “She is still very dear to me,” he told The Times. Due to their close bond, Theroux admitted he was rubbed the wrong way when Aniston was triggered by Vance’s “childless cat ladies” remark. When asked about the incident, he answered:

“Of course, yeah, I feel protective. But she batted back criticism, as well she should.”

Recall that in July, the Murder Mystery actress publicly called out the Ohio senator after a 2021 video resurfaced where he referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives.” Aniston, who has been vocal about her struggles with infertility, said she couldn’t “believe” such a comment came from a potential vice president. “All I can say is… Mr. Vance, I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children of her own one day,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “I hope she will not need to turn to IVF as a second option. Because you are trying to take that away from her, too.”

Justin Theroux ‘Very Proud’ Of Jennifer Aniston’s Fight Against Tabloid

This isn’t the first time the Mulholland Drive actor has publicly praised Aniston for clapping back at comments surrounding fertility. In July 2016, The Morning Show star had to address false pregnancy rumors amid her marriage to Theroux. “For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up,” she wrote in a Huffington Post essay. “Women don’t need to be married or mothers to be complete.”

Following her response, the 53-year-old praised Aniston’s resilience. “Many people would have crumbled under some of the stresses that have been put on her. I’m very proud of her for that, for the way she handles herself,” he said. Theroux and Aniston began their romance in 2011, with an engagement the following year. They exchanged vows in August 2015 but announced their split three years later. The exes have since remained amicable, showering each other with love from time to time.