Jennifer Aniston Fires Back At Rampant Pregnancy Rumors, Criticism Of Her Marital Status

Jennifer Aniston is here to remind fans and critics alike that a woman is not defined by if and how many children she has. For years the former “Friends” actress has been at the center of rumors about her desire to bear children as well as countless pregnancy hoaxes. Aniston fired back for the first time in July 2015 and it seems she’s got plenty more to say on the matter.

In an interview with Marie Claire for their December issue, she assured those spreading false stories about her being pregnant or wanting to be that she is not “a sad, childless human.” Aniston told the publication that she initially spoke out about the rumors in a Huffington Post op-ed because she was tired of being defined by rigid societal standards rather than the years of hard work and many career accolades she’s amassed. While her piece was well received, Aniston continues to be shamed by outsiders for not having children, her relationships and her physical form and she’s fed up.

“My marital status has been shamed; my divorce status was shamed; my lack of a mate had been shamed; my nipples have been shamed,” she said. “It’s like, ‘Why are we only looking at women through this particular lens of picking us apart? Why are we listening to it?’ I just thought: I have worked too hard in this life and this career to be whittled down to a sad, childless human.”

Although there is no shortage of negativity surrounding Aniston, 47, at any given time, it seems she’s got some really positive people in her corner. Husband Justin Theroux defended his wife in an interview with The Sunday Times in October, praising her unthinkable strength to the publication. Theroux called Aniston a “proper badass,” adding that he had doubts many people could withstand some of what she’s been dealt in life.

“She has lived through a lot of bulls---. 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,” Theroux said.

Fellow former “Friends” actress Courtney Cox also recently came to Aniston’s defense, asking the public to stop pulling her into the divorce drama between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Aniston and Pitt were married for five years before divorcing in 2005. In September, Cox sat down with Entertainment Tonight where she was asked about unwanted attention Aniston may be receiving because of Pitt’s divorce. The “Cougar Town” star was adamant that “it’s not about her,” adding that she felt that talking about such rumors in any way was only “exacerbating” them.