Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux may have called it quits on their relationship in 2018, but according to Theroux himself, they’re still as close as ever.
In a recent interview with Esquire, the 49-year-old actor spoke highly of the Friends alum, explaining that they regularly stay in touch via text messages and FaceTime calls.
“I would say we’ve remained friends,” he said. “We FaceTime. We text. Like it or not, we didn’t have that dramatic split, and we love each other. I’m sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship.”
He added, “We can not be together and still bring each other joy and friendship. Also, she makes me laugh very, very hard. She’s a hilarious person. It would be a loss if we weren’t in contact, for me personally. And I’d like to think the same for her.”
Aniston and Theroux announced their split after two years of marriage in February 2018, releasing the news in a statement via Aniston’s publicist, Stephen Huvane.
“In an effort to reduce any further speculation, we have decided to announce our separation,” the couple said, as per People. “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 statement continued, “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.”
The pair met way back in 2008 and officially started dating in 2011. By August 2015, the couple were wed, mere days before Theroux’s 44th birthday. According to People, their marriage ceremony came as a surprise to guests, who were invited to their home for a backyard gathering under the guise that it was for Theroux’s birthday, but instead, they tied the knot.
However, this isn’t the first time that Theroux has opened up about his breakup with Aniston. In an interview with The New York Times, he revealed: “It was heartbreaking.”
“Only in the sense that the friendship would not be the same, as far as just the day to day. But the friendship is shifting and changing, you know, so that part is something that we’re both very proud of.”