Aniston shuts down claims during Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance
Jennifer Aniston has firmly denied rumors circulating in a tabloid that linked her romantically with former U.S. President Barack Obama. The 55-year-old actress, best known for her role as Rachel Green on FRIENDS, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night, where she addressed the claims directly.
Rumor debunked on air
During the show, host Jimmy Kimmel handed Aniston a copy of the magazine that published the baseless story, which alleged that Michelle Obama was “betrayed” as Aniston had supposedly “stolen” the former president’s attention. Aniston used the opportunity to clarify the situation and dismissed the rumor as “absolutely untrue.”
“Of all the calls you get from your publicist where you’re just like ‘Oh, no, what’s it gonna be?’ or you get an email saying some cheesy tabloid is gonna make up a story—and then it’s that…” Aniston said.
She added, “I was not mad at it,” and called the story “absolutely untrue”.
Aniston’s relationship status
Aniston, who has not been romantically linked to anyone for nearly five years, remains single. Her last public relationship was with actor and director Justin Theroux, whom she began dating in 2011. The couple got engaged in 2012, and married in 2015, but ultimately parted ways in 2017.
A long-time Barack Obama supporter
Although the rumor was fabricated, Aniston has a history of supporting Barack Obama politically. During his 2008 presidential campaign, she donated to his bid for the White House. Aniston is also known for her support of Democratic candidates, including her participation in a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and her endorsement of President Joe Biden in 2020.
The Obamas’ enduring marriage
Former President Barack Obama has been married to Michelle Obama for over three decades. The couple, who have two daughters—Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23—remain a steadfast presence in public life. There have been no verified claims that could substantiate the tabloid’s allegations.
Childhood “trauma” shared
During the same interview, Aniston revealed a personal story from her childhood, describing a “traumatic” experience of being made to belly dance in front of her Greek relatives. The actress shared how these moments of being asked to perform in front of family left her with “some sort of PTSD.”
“You know, the Greeks love any kind of family dinner,” Aniston said. “They would say, ‘Let’s get up and watch’—it’s like when you say to your child, ‘Play piano for everyone, let’s sing for everyone.’ I have inner trauma from having to perform and belly dance in front of my Greek aunts, uncles, and grandmothers.”
Despite the headline-grabbing claims, Aniston’s message is clear: the story is entirely unfounded, and she continues to focus on her career and personal life, unfazed by the tabloid drama.