In the early 2000s, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were the epitome of a Hollywood golden couple. Their seemingly perfect marriage, however, was shattered by the filming of 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' where Pitt starred alongside Angelina Jolie.
Rumors of an affair quickly spread, leading to Pitt and Aniston's separation in January 2005 and finalized divorce in October. Paparazzi captured photos of Pitt, Jolie, and her son Maddox, fueling the speculation.
The ensuing media frenzy exposed the deeply ingrained sexism within pop culture. Jennifer Aniston was immediately cast as the heartbroken, abandoned wife, while Angelina Jolie was portrayed as the villainous 'homewrecker.' Brad Pitt, on the other hand, largely escaped scrutiny.
The narrative further evolved into a debate about Aniston's alleged lack of desire for children, with the media seemingly blaming her for the marriage's demise. In a 2022 interview, Aniston refuted these claims, stating the reasons for the divorce were fabricated.
Jolie's image fluctuated between a humanitarian and a seductress, reflecting the Madonna-whore complex. Pitt, however, remained largely unscathed, with his alleged affair often framed as a result of Aniston's shortcomings.
This media coverage highlighted a double standard, where women were either victims or villains, and men were often absolved of responsibility. Both Aniston and Jolie have since spoken about the impact of this period.
The story serves as a reminder of how societal biases shape media narratives and how far we still have to go in achieving gender equality.