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The two mutually decided to end their marriage.
By Sarah Gangraw — Written on Feb 17, 2018
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux have called it quits on their marriage after just two and a half years.
The couple announced they are parting ways but will still remain friends in a statement Thursday, according to ET Online.
“In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation," Aniston and Theroux's statement reads. "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."
Jen and Justin knew that because of their celebrity status rumors regarding their split would surface and they wanted to address the issue in their statement.
"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,” the statement continues. “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.”
Despite their effort to avoid speculation, rumors were born.
Here are the five biggest rumors about why Aniston and Theroux are going separate ways.
1. They couldn't agree on where to live.
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A source told ET Online that the couple disagreed on where to live.
Jen wanted to move to L.A. while Justin, a New Yorker at heart, never wanted to live in Hollywood.
"He much prefers being [in New York] and that's been a major issue for them for a long time,” the source said. “Justin has a very diverse friend group and he likes that they're not all 'in the industry.’ He's friends with people in the restaurant world, writers, comedians, artists, tattoo artists. It's an eclectic group and he doesn't have that type of network in LA."
But the former Friends star didn't enjoy living in the Big Apple like her hubby. The paparazzi wouldn't leave her alone and even came to the couple’s apartment, making it frustrating to be home.
“Justin can hop on his [motorcycle], walk in the neighborhood, hang at a bar and all that without being bothered, but for Jen, the paparazzi are all over her,” the source explained.
Though Justin tried everything to get Jen to want to stay in New York it wasn't enough.
"She just never really could get settled in, she wasn't happy [in New York]," the source said.
Justin eventually agreed to move to California but frequently traveled back to New York.
2. Jen thought time apart would help their relationship but it made it worse.
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An insider told UsWeekly that Aniston encouraged Theroux to take trips back to New York but her plan backfired.
“Encouraging Justin to spend as much time as he wanted in New York City is what doomed the marriage,” the source said. “Jen thought by doing so, spending time without her would make Justin miss her more.”
3. Jen stopped regularly spending time with Justin.
TMZ reports that the last photo of the couple together at their NY apartment was taken Oct. 1, months before they announced their split.
While Jennifer stayed in Los Angeles most of the time, Justin spent a good portion of his time back at his NYC apartment which Jen stopped visiting last summer.
“Jen tried the whole living in New York City thing with Justin, but at heart, she is a California girl. New York City just wasn't ever going to be home for Jen,” a source told Us Weekly.
She also spent her 49th birthday away from Theroux.
4. They took a “make or break” New Year’s trip.
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Jen and Justin paired up with Jason Bateman and Amanda Anka on a vacation in Cabo, Mexico in December. According to a source who spoke with Us Weekly, the getaway was a last attempt to make their marriage work.
“Jason Bateman’s wife convinced Justin to go to Cabo,” the insider said. “She has been the mediator in recent months, trying to get Jen and Justin to work through their problems and save their marriage.”
This trip was the most recent time Jen and Justin were seen together so it’s safe to assume they weren’t able to work through their issues.
“The Cabo trip was a make or break vacation for Jen and Justin. They went away with their friends hoping to have fun and work on it,” the source added.
5. Brad Pitt is single.
Though this rumor is a bit far-stretched, fans took to Twitter to speculate a reunion between the former lovers.
Now that both Pitt and Aniston are single, could they possibly want to reunite?