Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux Breakup: What Went Wrong?

Sadly, another Hollywood couple has bitten the dust. A-list comedienne Jennifer Aniston and actor Justin Theroux have officially headed to splitsville after reports surfaced that the latter missed the former’s birthday last weekend. The pair have decided to open up about the split to prevent speculations and gossip from plaguing their personal and professional lives.

“In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation,” Aniston and Theroux’s joint statement to Us Weekly issued Thursday read. “This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year. We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.”

The exes also grabbed the opportunity to explain why they opted to make their breakup public. “Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another,” Aniston and Theroux clarified.

The stars’ separation comes more than two years after they walked the aisle on Aug. 5, 2015. The “Annihilation” actress and “The Girl on the Train” actor started dating back in May 2011 and got engaged in August 2012. Their last public appearance as a couple was in July 2017 at Jason Bateman’s induction ceremony for his Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Prior to announcing their breakup, several news outlets circulated a story about Theroux being noticeably absent from Aniston’s 49th birthday last Sunday, Feb. 11. Brad Pitt’s ex celebrated her big day with her “Friends” co-star Courtney Cox, manager Aileen Keshishian, Kristin Hahn and her other gal pals.

It wasn’t the first time that Theroux and Aniston spent time apart either. In fact, the two have been living separate lives in the recent months, with People reporting that the 46-year-old actor has been spotted in New York City away from their L.A. home most of the time.

Initially, it was believed that Aniston and Theroux managed to keep their love burning despite the distance caused by their busy schedules. Theroux filmed “The Spy Who Dumped Me” in Budapest, while Aniston was busy doing an upcoming Apple TV series with Reese Witherspoon and filming the musical comedy “Dumplin’” in Atlanta.