It has been over five years since Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt sent the internet into a frenzy with their unexpected and heartwarming backstage reunion at the 2020 SAG Awards. 

The moment, which saw the former spouses smiling and sharing an embrace, quickly went viral, reigniting speculation about their relationship status. 

Now, half a decade later, where do they really stand?

The Viral SAG Awards Moment

On January 19, 2020, Aniston and Pitt crossed paths backstage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, 

where the Friends star had just won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for The Morning Show.

As she made her way backstage, cameras caught the former couple exchanging warm smiles, with Pitt briefly holding Aniston’s hand as she walked away. The moment was enough to spark a wave of excitement from fans, many of whom had hoped for a reconciliation. Given that their split in 2005 had been one of Hollywood’s most publicized breakups, seeing them on such friendly terms was a pleasant surprise.

From Divorce to Friendship

Aniston and Pitt were one of the most beloved Hollywood couples of the late 1990s and early 2000s. They tied the knot in an extravagant Malibu wedding on July 29, 2000, and remained together for five years. However, their marriage ended in 2005, shortly after Pitt met Angelina Jolie on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Following their divorce, Pitt moved on with Jolie, and the two built a family together, eventually marrying in 2014 before separating in 2016. Their contentious divorce and custody battle over their six children kept them in the headlines for years.

Despite the initial drama surrounding Pitt’s new relationship, Aniston never expressed bitterness about their past. In a 2006 Vanity Fair interview, she admitted, “I really do hope that someday we can be friends again,” and reflected positively on their time together, calling it a “beautiful, complicated relationship.”

Reuniting for a Cause

Their SAG Awards reunion wasn’t the last time Aniston and Pitt appeared together publicly. In September 2020, they both participated in a virtual table reading of Fast Times at Ridgemont High to raise funds for Sean Penn’s nonprofit organization, CORE.

During the event, which featured a star-studded cast including Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, and Matthew McConaughey, Aniston and Pitt playfully read flirty lines from the classic film, further fueling speculation about their relationship. However, Aniston later clarified that their dynamic was strictly platonic.

Jennifer Aniston’s Perspective on Their Relationship

Since their brief on-screen reunion, Aniston has repeatedly addressed the state of her friendship with Pitt. During an appearance on The Howard Stern Show in 2021, she confirmed that they remain on good terms.

“It was absolutely fun. Brad and I are buddies, we’re friends,” she said, downplaying any rumors of romantic reconciliation. “We speak, and there’s no oddness at all, except for everyone that probably watched it and was wanting there to be, or assumed there to be.”

She emphasized that their interactions were lighthearted and without tension, adding, “We had fun, and it was for a great cause.”

Brad Pitt’s Personal Struggles

While Aniston has maintained a relatively drama-free personal life in recent years, Pitt has faced several challenges. His ongoing legal battles with Angelina Jolie over custody of their children have kept him in the spotlight, with reports suggesting that some of his children are estranged from him.

Despite his personal struggles, Pitt has continued to focus on his career, receiving critical acclaim for roles in films like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Babylon.

No Romantic Reunion, But a Strong Friendship

Five years after their viral reunion, it’s clear that Aniston and Pitt share a genuine friendship but have no plans for rekindling their romance. Aniston has expressed nothing but appreciation for their past relationship, and Pitt has similarly spoken warmly about their connection.

While fans may continue to hold out hope for a romantic reconciliation, both stars seem content with the bond they currently share. After years of public scrutiny, they have managed to maintain a friendship that, despite past heartbreak, has stood the test of time.

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