Some people refer to Justin Theroux as “Mr. Jennifer Aniston,” and while this could come off as a jab, the actor takes on the nickname with a totally different attitude.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Theroux couldn’t help but gush about his wife, with whom he just celebrated their one-year anniversary.
“It doesn’t really get under my skin,” he said of the Mr. Aniston nickname. “It’s just one of those things that’s a shorthand for describing who I am.”
In fact, despite Aniston’s career seeing greater success than his, Theroux is very proud that he’s attached to her and has had the privilege of to seeing her continue to grow and succeed.
“[Jennifer] is a proper badass. She has lived through a lot of bullshit,” he explained. “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. So in a weird way it’s an honor to stand behind her. Truly, in that sense, she’s amazing.”
Can we get a round of applause for the World’s Best Husband?!
Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux
Even with Aniston getting tangled up in all the news surrounding Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Theroux—who admits the media can be a bit much—sticks by her side, seeing the odd light Hollywood has shed on his wife and standing up for her through it.
“There are definitely times when I don’t like walking past the newsstand in the U.S.,” he said. “You start to feel like the crazy person [with the media] portraying you as if you follow that shit.”
He admitted of the constant tabloids, “When it first started happening I’d sort of casually pay attention to it, and then I’d realize I was eating poison. Now I just avert my gaze.” Still, he revealed he is “constantly surprised” by strangers congratulation him on the birth of his child. “It’s insane,” he said.
Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux
He confessed that the only rumors that really get to the from time to time is the ones surrounding her being pregnant.
“You feel protective, of course,” he said. “She’s similar to me—she doesn’t pay attention to it unless she has to. But there’s definitely times when your privacy is invaded. Areas of your personal life that are yours to discuss among yourselves and your friends and family shouldn’t be a topic for national debate.”
That was the motivation behind the Huffington Post essay she wrote in July. “I was very, very proud of her for writing that. It was very well written. She expressed herself beautifully.”
Ultimately, he’s well aware of how the public views her, and he’s glad she’s able to understand that, too, and not take it too personally.
“[Jennifer] understands that she is someone who has attracted, for whatever reason, a level of attention where she’s become this sort of fable, I guess, in some sort of bizarre morality play of what a woman should be.”
Check out his full interview with The Sunday Times here.