Whenever I think about Jennifer Aniston’s understanding of “new media,” the internet, social media platforms and the like, I always think back to what John Mayer said about Jennifer in his now-infamous Playboy interview, which took place after they had broken up for good. When describing the differences between himself and Aniston and whether social media played a part, he said:
“If Jennifer Aniston knows how to use BitTorrent, I’ll eat my f–king shoe. One of the most significant differences between us was that I was tweeting. There was a rumor that I had been dumped because I was tweeting too much. That wasn’t it, but that was a big difference. The brunt of her success came before TMZ and Twitter. I think she’s still hoping it goes back to 1998. She saw my involvement in technology as courting distraction. And I always said, ‘These are the new rules.'”
“I think she’s still hoping it goes back to 1998.” That’s what I always think regarding Jen too. Her primary focus is on old-media and she still announces all of her big milestones with press releases to People Magazine. Anyway, I bring this all up because Jennifer has some new quotes and she’s talking about the internet:
The 45-year-old actress admits she has become so afraid of public criticism, particularly on the internet, that she and her actor fiancé Justin Theroux have turned into social hermits who prefer to stay at home.
“You do the best you can but it feels like it’s getting worse and very nasty because of bullying on the internet,” says the Friends star. “Even movie critics don’t just comment on the film, they tear people apart on a human level. I don’t know why that is happening but it is…we just stay home so there really isn’t anything to report.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom for multimillionaire Jennifer. Earlier this month she jetted off to the Tahitian island of Bora Bora with Justin for a romantic holiday to celebrate his 43rd birthday and mark the two-year anniversary of their engagement.
Jennifer has also landed an extremely lucrative deal as the face of Aveeno hair care and continues to attract top film roles. She is set to star in movie Life Of Crime in September and is also scheduled to attend the Toronto Film Festival for the premiere of another of her films Cake. Another comedy, She’s Funny That Way, which reunites her with her Marley & Me co-star Owen Wilson, will also debut in Venice.
Is it a good idea to bash “the internet” when she has so much to shill these days? Three new movies, plus Aveeno, SmartWater and Living Proof? The internet could have been her ally if only she would stop seeing herself as the perpetual victim? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve often thought that we could easily get 200-plus comments, with vicious back-and-forth, both for and against, if we merely posted a photo of Jennifer and like three words of commentary. But you know who else inspires that kind of passionate response? Angelina Jolie. And you never hear Angelina complaining about “the internet.” And for that matter, you never hear Angelina complain about being publicly “bullied” by Aniston’s BFF Chelsea Handler.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Oh boo hoo. You are an actress. You get criticized. Get over it.
I think she would have liked to be a good actress with a decent career.
The fact she had to stand people saying she is only famous for a bunch of hair and a divorce is probably very unpleasant. I don’t think I saw a single movie she’s in and thought she’s great.
The truth is painful, for sure. For most, she’ll always be Rachel, and it has to be unpleasant to realize that she doesn’t have the talent to elevate herself beyond Friends and nice hair and the loser end of a very public love triangle.
Bullying, Jennifer? Really? Just how old are you?
Take a stadium full of seats.
While I’m in agreement with you ladies, one single point stood out for me in this post. Further confirmation, as though any more was needed, that John Mayer is a gigantic douche nozzle. Can he ever just STFU with unkind comments about his conquests??
It is degrading to have someone kiss and tell, and it must have been extremely humiliating for Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry, and whoever else he’s banged, to have their private business on loud speaker. What he does to a woman’s reputation is really uncool to most of us, but it is almost a desecration for these women he’s had a relationship with, because of the international stage upon which he projects their intimate details. I would feel vengeful. It would be almost impossible to trust him – it’s not like he’d suddenly change (run!).
Taylor Swift may sing about her guys, but she doesn’t describe their sexuality in detail.
Gee, she sounds just like Timberlake: dumb, put-upon and annoyed because critics think she’s a crap actress. Newsflash: you ARE a crap actress! She has two settings: comedy variations on Rachel, and glum “serious” roles (she apparently thinks looking depressed is great dramatic acting). And now that she’s aging, she’s going to be hard pressed to do either anymore.
You forget when she did that one role without make-up and talked about it like it actually made her a good actress.
As opposed to an animal level?
No, as opposed to exploring the subtle nuances and internal motivations of a character, whether dramatic or comedic, and bringing those nuances to the portrayal.
I agree she needs to get over criticism, but Kiaser’s constant association with AJ is rather tiresome. I dunno why women pit other women against each other.
Oh, please. The film critics aren’t out to get you, Jen. Don’t read your reviews if you don’t care to, but film criticism is valid and useful.
Well, some is. And then you have Armond White.
Ah, yes, the Professional Troll Extraordinaire. I forgot about him for a few happy moments. I’m guessing he likes Jennifer Aniston movies.
If he hates Toy Story 3 and the Avengers, he probably loves JA movies and Uwe Boll.
Or she should make better films.
my thought exactly – if you don’t want the constant criticism for your movies, stop appearing in the godawful rom-coms that are your bread and butter. take some smaller roles, build up your acting skills and a different reputation. but you can’t have it both way – make a shitload of money AND expect the critics to like yet another “adam sandler/mistaken identity/love was right there in front of you the entire time” movies you’re in.
What’s odd is that she often gets very flattering reviews when she chooses to do something a bit different from her usual role.
yeap, i remember when she did “the good girl.” i thought it was meh, but it was such a departure for her that critics seemed to love it.
Aniston’s old psychic buddy recently said Brad & Angelina were breaking up again. Same thing Jen’s buddy Howard Stern said in 2010. And then of course Jen’s BFF Chelsea had to say something similar in 2012.
Why can’t she ask her friends to keep quiet on Angelina?
That’s what I honestly don’t understand. It makes her look bitter and obsessed with the past. Especially since she’s said nothing but nice things about Brad (for the most part)–yet for some reason there’s an issue with Angelina (who’s only met her once, and spoke about her once when asked)…and it shows in what her friends (HANDLER) say.
I mean, if it was me, I’d want my friends to be talking about how amazing I am, how happy I am–not about my ex husband’s woman. And especially friends that weren’t even there when I was getting divorced..coughHANDLERcough.
@Virgilia Coriolanus…Once again …you are spot on!
@Virgilia
I will never get it either…..
Good point, VC. Because if they truly are her friends, she CAN influence if not control the dialogue from them.
@Christin
I’m not saying she can control what they say–I mean, she can say ‘hey, I don’t like so and so being brought up during your interviews, please quit it’ (especially when it’s in relation to HER, not something that is entirely unrelated, like Angelina saying that she thinks Chelsea Handler botoxed her face to hell, and Chelsea saying she’d rather be a botoxed old hag than a homewrecker–or something)……and it’s up to her friends (HANDLER) to concede to her wishes or not.
But there comes a time when you have to think about how you are perceived as a person. And it’s your choice to continue to associate with someone who brings up old bs, in her work AND personal life (personal interviews, such as Howard Stern when Handler says that Brad is there for the kids, and that Angelina trapped him).
Jennifer is a grown woman. She obviously agrees with what Handler has said, because she has not culled that friendship–that RECENT friendship. They’ve only been friends for four years. And to me, that makes her pathetic. I was completely neutral on her, didn’t believe a word of the Bermuda triangle, and generally had no issues with JA (Except for her crappy movies) up until I started reading all of that bs that Handler was saying about Angelina over the years. Jennifer gives her approval every time she and Handler slurp a margarita down together.
Which is fine. Be a hater. But don’t be all about ‘No H8’/get rid of bullying when her your bestie has been using personal attacks to attack a family that has ZERO connection to her, with the exception of Jennifer.
The way I see the Brad-Jen marriage (I can’t believe this is still in the press and that I’m actually commenting on a story about these people) is that this was the “respectable” conventional marriage with a respectable conventional person that society tells a grown man or woman they are supposed to want in adulthood. Problem is, Brad is a bit of a wild child and I think he eventually realized that he just wasn’t going to conform to the mold. If you’re old like I am (30) you might remember back in the day when he was with Juliette Lewis and they had like a leopard, a bunch of lizards, and some exotic snakes. Yeah, you don’t just give that up for a white picket fence and the girl-next-door. He’s a Juliette/Angelina dude in his heart.
I totally agree with that comment. David Fincher is on record as saying that Brad is closer to Tyler Duerdan than most people would be comfortable with. I think that Brad is as much of a badass as Angelina is.
It’s clearly obvious in hindsight that he loathed and despised the whole ‘Golden Couple’ BS that the media made his deadbeat merger of a marriage out to be.
I just think he just married her cause he was getting old and it was convenient and she had a nice reputation and her own money. If you let people talk and you just listen, you will get an idea of what’s going on with someone. One of his first interviews called it a business deal and one of his last , while with her, said it will last as long as it will last. I didn’t start reading their interviews until Aniston went on dissing the Pitts and Jolies in interviews, back in 2008. They gave plenty of interviews that made it sound like a marriage of convenience. Maybe people haven’t read them, but the people that act like they don’t understand what happened are just crazy. Those are Aniston fans that live through her, cause she got famous and plenty of dough for being mediocre. They want to be able to do the same thing. She had a pops that got her industry connections and she lucked out with a co-headlining cast. Then she got a publicist that knows how to brainwash people.
I thought it was much simpler than that. He wanted kids and a real family life and she did not. He wanted to be with someone who wanted to make the world a better place and help the people in it. Jen was not that person.
I’m with Other Renee. I think the kids issue had a lot to do with it. I don’t believe Aniston has any desire to have children, which I’m totally cool with as a fellow non-breeder (I just wish she’d admit it). But she has always, always talked about wanting kids and having a family, and I think Brad believed that. They got married, they bought the big traditional house in Beverly Hills, and Friends was ending. But then instead of taking time off to start a family, Jen booked like, four movies back to back and went straight into working full-time on film. I think Brad realized she didn’t actually want a family and he checked out. Then he met Angelina, a woman who turned her whole life around to be a mother, and that was it.
I think it’s so easy to understand, 10 years on. Brad made himself that is radically different, while Jen hasn’t changed anything about her life. Both are valid routes, but I can see how they were no longer compatible. Would you match up 2014 Brad Pitt with 2014 Jennifer Aniston?
I wouldn’t have matched them in 1998. He was a hippy-dippy, art-obsessed stoner and she was a mall girl. Their reps set them up on a date because she was America’s Sweetheart who just needed that fairy tale romance to put her over the top, and he needed to seem more middle-America friendly than he was at the time. From a press angle, it was a match made in heaven but they were horribly suited for one another even back then.
@Algernon
One of the things that made me start disliking her a lot was that VF article. I remember reading it, after years of comments about how the only reason Jennifer hadn’t had kids was because of You-Know-Who…well. I read it, and it basically said that Jennifer was really hurt by all the baby rumors about Angelina because she had thought that she was going to be pregnant during the year of 2005.
Which, to me, is just a straight up lie. Especially since at the END OF THE ARTICLE, the interviewer notes how many movies Jennifer has coming out–three or four, AND at the beginning of the article, she was talking about how Jennifer had signed a six picture deal with a studio.
So when on earth was she supposed to be pregnant? Honestly. She didn’t play a pregnant woman in any of those movies, and she filmed and promoted movies for like the next two years.
And don’t forget, the marriage was so popular because Aniston was the quintessential girl-next-door – cute, pretty even, but not beautiful – who managed to land the (then) hottest guy on the planet. Made all of us less than gorgeous girls (back then) think, ‘see, true love conquers all. Men don’t have to go after the most beautiful woman, they value humor, personality, character – we didn’t know about the fundamental incompatibility in their relationship, or that they obviously wanted very different things. Brad’s problem is, the woman he fell for after Aniston was gorgeous, and had a rep as a femme fatale.
Because she’s a passive-aggressive bitch who uses her friends to bash people she has a grudge against. That’s why.
This. It is what Jennifer Aniston does, clearly a pattern from her and selected “friends” …till they are no longer useful. The PR Guru….well, at least he gets paid handsomely.
Can’t stand her. Petty and whinny.
If you weren’t such a mediocre actress, you wouldn’t have to worry about it. Stop making crappy films.
Just roll it on out there why dontcha! 🙂
How does that work shilling for Aveeno hair care (or was that a misprint) and Living Proof? I mean, does Aveeno get credit on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and LP the rest of the week?
Oh wait, she pretty much just stays at home so never mind. Pass the Smartwater please, this hangover is killing me.
lol
“Pass the Smartwater please, this hangover is killing me.”
That was gold mimif, GOLD!!
The jerk critic who went after Melissa McCarthy personally comes to mind. I don’t know if Jen is talking about herself or not, but it does happen.
Didn’t Julia Roberts just say something very similar about the internet stuff? I would think a lot of people who became famous before that feel that way. Personally I don’t think hiding at home is the answer- go live your life and don’t read about yourself online.
I think it was Rex Reed, and, yes, he came to my mind as well for the really vile MMcC remarks. It was all about her weight and nothing substantive to do with her acting or the pertinent film. Other than that, I can’t think of anyone getting personally ‘torn apart’ by any reputable film critic. They may go to town on how bad a film is or the actor/actress in it, but it’s rarely on a personal level.
There were nasty comments by critics about Sarah Jessica Parker’s, and Cindy Crawford’s facial moles too (not longer after SJP had hers excised); I remember thinking how bizarre it was that critics would target such personal, off-topic stuff. I’ve often thought it must be hard to be a woman in Hollywood. Even critics target minute details of physical appearance, when it has nothing to do with the quality of film, performance etc. I don’t know if Aniston has experienced that herself, certainly many noticed with the awful Melissa McCarthy remarks.
Um, what? Maybe I’m not reading the right reviews, but a film critic saying that a certain actor sucks in their movie isn’t personal-it’s their job. Sure, EVERYONE is biased and has their favorites….but I’ve never read any personal attacks from film critics. Ahh–was just reminded of Melissa M…but other than that?
I’m assuming that Jennifer is talking about herself? When has any film critic unfairly attacked her for her acting? I mean, seriously–this is a woman who said that acting without wearing mascara was a HUGE deal and gamechanger for her performance.
And good point Kaiser–she is best friends with someone who IS a bully. I’ve said it time and again. You don’t control what your friends say (and you shouldn’t). But you choose who you associate yourself with, and who you are seen with. She chooses to associate with someone who is constantly going after a woman with whom she has never met, and who hasn’t ever once responded to anything she’s said.
I think that Jennifer’s friendship with Handler is just sooo pathetic. And the timing is just HORRIBLE. Because it seems like to me that as soon as Handler came around, Courteney Cox threw a peace sign and said DEUCES! And I think that says something.
This is just a random thought–but what if Chelsea had been a man, and had constantly been calling Angelina a homewrecker. Or evil. A c-nt. A demon. Saying that the only reason why Brad was still with her was because of the kids–implying that guys don’t have ANY responsibility about the kids that THEY willingly brought into this world.
How would the media react? I think that it would be seen as a lot more creepy and damaging towards feminism that a MAN was publicly saying things like that about a woman that he’d never met, and who hadn’t ever responded to him–and, above all, this man was friends with said woman’s partner’s ex.
As an OT–I read that Handler apparently isn’t hiring Chuy on, when she has her netflix show. Anyone know if that’s true?
Yeah, I have no idea what Jen is even talking about. I have occasionally seen reviews that struck me as being unfairly personal (the one about Olivia Wilde being too attractive to play an intelligent woman comes to mind as inappropriate), but I’ve never seen one like that about Aniston. If there was, I’d have preferred it if she called it out right away so we would know which one it was, rather than complaining vaguely.
The last time I heard about a woman being too pretty to play someone intelligent was when Denise Sheen (can’t remember her last name) was cast as a nuclear physicist in a James Bond movie. There were some pretty ignorant comments about her role in the movie.
While I am not fan of Jen, I agree to some degree (not completely but some degree) about film critics.
Sure, if the criticism is relevant to the film (acting performance, plot, writing, execution/direction, etc) then it is valid and warranted. But quite often many critics use their “critique” to personally attack film stars, directors, etc for their personal lives, political views, etc that have no immediate connection to the film. Like they’ll say, “Angelina was probably too busy collecting babies to …” or some other disparaging remark. Or, in Jen’s case they’ll use her “woe-in -love” public image as an attack point. Some critics even go on entire tirades about an actors political views (which may have no role in the film at all). Posters above have mentioned similar attacks against Julia R. and Melissa M. By the way, it’s been my observation that this behaviors happens against woman more frequently but men certainly are not spared from it.
IMO, if critics have legitimate issues with a film, then state those issues clearly without taking cheap shots at the people involved. Keep it professional.
She gets great reviews. She has been compared to Katherine Hepburn.
“Jennifer Aniston has starred in so many lame romantic comedies that she’s become an industry punch line, but drop her into an Adam Sandler movie and she comes off like Katharine Hepburn.”
On the serious side, if she wants to be taken more serious as an actress, stop doing paycheck lame rom coms and get some decent acting roles under your belt by doing some good indie films if she won’t lower herself to audition for better mainstream roles. Sandra Bullock did a load of lame rom coms but splattered it with some films outside the genre to her advantage and credit
Yeah, I think she is so used to being the darling of the media and being treated with kid gloves, that any criticism is ‘bullying’ and she can’t deal. The irony of course, is that she has been behind the scenes of one of the biggest and longest running bullying campaigns in Hollywood.
I don’t live her life, so I have no idea how the convos between her and C.H are … but I was in a really bad relationship years ago and I had friends that after the break up would comment about him … started telling them “you know what, I am working on me, not to be rude but I don’t care. How are you?” and the comments stopped. With time, there is no convo about an ex.
Of course, they are all three public figures in the same industry, you are going to have a journalist once in a while ask a question regarding your past, but you can decline to answer. Same logic, “let’s talk about this movie.”
She could venture to do other roles, but maybe she is not comfortable with them.
I have always gotten the impression that as laid back as she wants to appear, she could be very clingy. But really, J.M?? I still don’t understand how that guy gets to be in relationships with women with his rep?!
Honestly, if I felt that my friend was STILL hurt from a relationship that ended five years before I came into the picture, the very LAST thing I would do is talk about to her face (and I mean talking about anything other than moving on), let alone to the public–like facebook.
I don’t think it’s wrong if you talk about your past relationships–especially if you frame it in a way that you come off as understanding what happened for it to go wrong. It’s your relationship, you have the right to speak about it.
What I don’t like about how Jennifer talks about her marriage with Brad, is that she’s constantly referencing the timeline of her divorce as ‘spring cleaning her life’, or how she was reborn from the ashes ‘five or six years ago’, or that ridiculous ‘Five years after Brad…’ People cover. That doesn’t show any growth or wisdom to me.
I tried to find the article about “Jennifer’s acting moved a director to tears”, online, but I can’t find it. There always seems to be something before her movie, like – you’re in for a big suprise with her acting, (no mascara), or -get ready for a topless Jennifer Aniston, even on Chelsea saying yes, you are going to see me topless in the movie. Good marketing, but shamefull.
Can somebody please enlighten me if you also heard the director crying story, or did I just imagine it. Thanks.
Here you go
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2420827/Jennifer-Aniston-looks-youthful-promoting-new-movie-Life-Crime.html
The film is based on Emore Leonard’s 1978 novel, and director Daniel Schechter commented about Jen: ‘It’s the best work she’s ever done and she’ll blow people away. I don’t think people will see it coming, she’s so talented and I was crying while watching it.’
Thanks so much Eva! I’m sure the director of “The Bounty Hunter” was crying as well.
Eh, I can’t shade her for this because the truth is the internet (this place is a rare exception) can be a nasty, nasty place. Made me want to weep for humanity on a daily basis until I stopped reading most comments. I don’t know the context of her comments but I’m guessing AJ or any other celeb would say the same if pressed.
And John Mayer seems like a d$^k. He feels superior because he tweets and she doesn’t? Please.
Ditto!
While I agree that John Mayer is a d-ck, I think his point was more that he’s figuring out how to make the 21st century fame game work for him. Jen always seems to be fighting it, but that’s not uncommon for her generation of celebrity. They were the last ones produced inside a pretty insular bubble where stars were still held up to be rarefied creatures that were better than us. Now it’s all about Stars–They’re JUST Like Us! That’s not the culture she grew famous in, and she’s never learned how to live in the new internet-driven era of celebrity. But again, a lot them haven’t from that generation.
I hear you. I guess I thought it was snotty of him because really she doesn’t need to evolve as the fame game has, nor does anyone who isn’t in the industry solely for the celeb status. Just because social media has exploded doesn’t mean a person can’t achieve success without it.
They don’t necessarily have to be *on* social media, but the young stars now understand how to live with it. They make allowances for it, they understand how it functions as part of their celebrity, even if they don’t participate. Look at someone like Jennifer Lawrence. She’s not on social media, but she acknowledges its role in her celebrity and she, or her agent/manager, knows how to work it in her favor. I think Aniston is at a level where she doesn’t even need to do that, but I’m not sure she even understands that much about it.
John Mayer makes too many stupid comments in interviews for me to believe he’s only using Twitter to figure out the current PR game.
I think the older stars are wise to stay off Twitter. Unless you’re Z-list, it doesn’t make sense to me to use it, unless you have a PR person helping you out to let you know when you’re about to say something dumb (i.e see Ashton Kutcher).
“continues to attract top film roles” … sure, when casting parts in strong Oscar contenders, I’m sure Jennifer Anniston’s name is right up there on the list of actresses with Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams.
There’s been some “Oscar Buzz” chatter with regard to Aniston’s upcoming film “Cake”.
Chatter from her fans and PR team. No one has seen the film, it has no distributor yet, and is premiering in a throwaway time slot at TIFF (Monday at 2:30).
There are so many actresses in front of her in the Oscar line up….she will never have a chance.
Ugh. No one likes a whiner. Especially a well paid, extremely fortunate one. I mean, if the biggest issue of your life is you don’t want to adapt to new media, or that people online are mean, your life isn’t that bad. And if it really bothers you that much, what are you doing in this business? Retire, and take Chelsea Handler and Laura Jean Poon with you.
Jen doesn’t want to share the details of her life through the internet. Just People Magazine.
Movie critics are vicious and dehumanizing to actors. Make better movies, Jen.
She wants the benefits of fame and fortune without any of the downsides.
Kanye West would agree with her.
I mean, she’s basically like Rosa Parks at this point.
Hahaha…pretty much!
Ugh she’s such a whiner. Let’s forget for one second all the passive aggressive digs she’s taken at her ex and encouraged her friends to take in the past and just go back a week to the way she tore apart one of her long standing close friends Courtney Cox. She is a hypocrite and a baby.
I agree, I think she’s not very bright, and she is certainly not self-aware. She just strikes me as very . . . dim.
+1000
I don’t follow her as much as others here, but I thought she always called herself, paraphrased, a “homebody”. Wasn’t that part of her persona with Pitt (he, smoking pot on the couch all day) and then later with raising chickens with Justin, and whatnot?
Anyway, it’s time to preemptively post this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tTV0cBGbaM
Yeah I think you’re right about the homebody part, Kiddo, and the YouTube part as well. 😀
I never understand how people (not you personally but Jennifer, her fans and the media) conveniently forgets that Jennifer was sitting on that sofa getting stoned right there with Brad as well. Infact Jennifer still gets stoned and drunk a lot and you can see that by her live interviews and presentations.
My point was that she said she stays home as a hermit because of the meanness of the internet and whatnot, but I thought she once said that she likes to stay home and is a homebody. Although I can’t be certain. I wasn’t putting down Brad or Jennifer. I was just saying that she was never really that out-about-town-person anyway, as far as I recall.
Sorry Jen, but pointing out that you are not that great of an actress isn’t bullying. It’s just a fact.
Pfffft. You’re an actress. You’ll get criticized. Get over it.
I’m a law school student, I have oral tests and if I make mistakes my teachers will have no problems with laughing in front of my face and making jokes about my stupidity. Yes, it’s rude and we could argue it goes against the ethics of being a teacher, but it makes you stronger. Lawyers can’t be shy and frail. If you don’t like having the teacher laugh at your mistakes, don’t make them. Same goes to you, Jen. Perhaps if your movies were half decent you’d be telling another story.
And the teachers are just preparing you for the judges, who’ll toy with you even when they’re finding in your favor.
Yup. That’s why lawyers can’t be shy and frail. The future of someone else is in your hands. Your lack of personality can put an innocent in jail. There’s no room for pussies in this industry.
@Josefa
Pussies..really! How about punks and chumps. Get that thesaurus while you are at it.
Your teacher sounds like an effing asshole! I don’t know where you go to get your education but my profs never would have degraded me in that manner.
They only do it in oral tests. In the future, the opposing party or even the judge can use shady tactics to weaken your case (perhaps not in that level, but this job is no bed of roses). They are preparing you emotionally for it. They often put a weird face and ask you “are you sure?” when you’ve said everything correctly to test your confidence. If you can’t handle it, the job’s not for you.
But during classes they never do that. They all show great disposition to answer questions, dumb as they may be.
Film critics are mostly failed actors.
They couldn’t cut it in the industry and have an axe to grind. Jennifer Aniston is a convenient target for film critics to vent their frustrations.
Aniston’s brand is flourishing without social media and Twitter can easily become like quicksand to some celebrities.
All of the critics I could think of to look up have always been journalists or writers of some kind. No failed actors on the list, and I don’t think “they’re just jealous!” works here.
I’d agree she’s better off avoiding Twitter, though. Not everyone needs to be on there, and someone who’s already well-known and who has no personal inclination toward it might be wise to stay away.
I think avoiding Twitter is good advice. Not just for her, I can think of a pretty large number of people, famous and not, who’d probably be better off taking a break from it for good.
@Esmom
I don’t know how people do it. I got a twitter account earlier this year, on a whim. And I think I’ve made about fifty tweets/retweets. It’s like FB for me–I have no clue what to say. Occassionally I’ll think of something funny (imo), but other than that? I don’t really tweet much. So I can’t imagine being on it all day, and tweeting the way Leann Rimes does, for instance.
Every critic I read is a trained film critic. Most of them have degrees in film criticism, an actual field of study. Many also have journalism degrees. That “they’re all just bitter failures” thing is a complete misunderstanding of what film criticism, or any kind of criticism, is. Sometimes film critics participate in aspects of filmmaking (like Roger Ebert writing the screenplay for Beyond the Valley of the Dolls), but that’s probably because they’re lovers of film first and foremost. I actually love our current era of film criticism. There are so many different voices and opinions, and different writers will make me appreciate different things about movies. Are some critics nasty? Sure, there’s always an Armond White or Rex Reed in the trash heap. But some actors are nasty, too.
Well stated. A good critic can actually add dimension and depth to a movie with his /her observations, comparisons etc, talking the film experience to another level. Given that it is their passion and profession, their opinions are usually pretty valid. A few are good writers, too (love A.O. Scott)
Twitter is sinking falcor’s career, and we can watch it happen on a daily basis. James Franco is another one that could do without Twitter.
Except that she rarely, rarely is criticized, and I have never seen a personal critique, just ones about her acting. So she’s boo-hooing over absolutely nothing, and that’s the real problem.
The two year anniversary of their engagement? Seriously? Now we celebrate how many YEARS we’ve been engaged? Why don’t we celebrate with a f@&$ing WEDDING?
LMAO. We must acknowledge anniversaries of commitments to possible commitments. I only hope this isn’t going to turn into a trend where gift giving is required. It’s enough already with engagement parties, showers and the ever-extending-leading-up-to portion of couples endlessly seeking financial contributions before the wedding. And don’t forget, now there are divorce parties.
I would like to have a commitment to staying single party. My registry is Amex for gift cards, or the local bank for a cashier’s check. RSVP!
GoodNames accepts with pleasure your kind invitation to your CTSS party. Gift to follow.
Oy vey, I just got invited to a 7th grade graduation party. Really? Wow! How DID you do it? What’s next for you, kid? Oh. Eighth grade. Good luck…
Stop Kiddo, it’s too early to laugh this hard. 😀
@truthSF, You’re invited too, don’t forget the cash! Drinks from the liquor store, maybe okitt will bring weed or mimif, 4 course pizza, and entertainment by itunes. Black tie and booty shorts affair. RSVP!
Sounds like fun, I’m so there Kiddo…as long as you don’t invite those man eating trio, J. Eyre, Anna, and T-Fanty if there’s any hot guys there. 😀
@Kiddo – I have been saying that for decades!! As someone who has never married or procreated (I’ve had a couple of live-in relationships that I bailed on due to “fed-upitis”) I’ve gone to more damn weddings, given more presents, gone to more showers, given more presents, and what have I got in return?? Well, peace of mind is one good thing, but I think we should celebrate single-status with a huge party and lots of presents. Especially when you reach 60+. Just give wine as presents, I have everything else 🙂
For my CSSP:
Required Gift: One cat.
Required Attire: Muumuus.
Required Food: Vodka
I hope everybody’s ready for the Knit-Off! Bring your own yarn. Afterwards, we’ll be playing boards games until we fall asleep in our rocking chairs.
You’re Welcome.
Jaded….spot on!
I declared eternal singlehood over 30 yrs ago, and, like you, have loaded gifts on multiple weddings…frequently featuring persons whose previous weddings I also attended. (The one time I did set up home with a guy fidn’t count of course, lacking the certificate!) My cousin has married 4 flipping times, next time he can whistle.
Sometimes I feel like sending a non-wedding list to family members, if only to remind them how much they’ve saved through my lack of weddings and baptisms!
Harrumph. 🙁
@Chris
I can see it now–you should make a list of how many potentially serious (or not serious!) partner’s you’ve had, an itemized list of what each wedding would’ve cost (including travel expenses), and then throw yourself a spinster party.
@truthSF, of course they’re invited. To maximize your party profits, like a wedding, I think you are supposed to invite people you don’t even know, twice removed, who are related, but not by blood. Got any extra cousins? LOL
I read an article on the DM yesterday about cutting cost on your wedding. Make guests pay for their drinks, charge them for their meal, flat out ask for cash instead of gifts, gifts from the registry so they can return them for cash, bridesmaid dresses sewing parties where you provide the materials, inviting guests only to the parts of the ceremony that won’t cost the happy couple, expensive wine for the bride’s table and the super cheap crap for everyone else to toast with. Or how about, everybody bring a dish! It also mentioned prospective brides going into shops and lying about putting their wares into the ‘very succesful blog’ the bride operates to get extreme discounts on products. If you can’t afford it, I guess you go tacky.
It all sounds so ridiculous, but the wedding industrial complex is no flipping joke. I’d knit my own dress to put those mothers out of business!
Ugh. Yes, let’s charge people to attend a party we’re throwing! So gross. I wouldn’t go to a wedding where any of that happened. How about having the wedding you can afford instead. Mine came it at under $5000 and it was great, it’s not hard.
THIS!!!!
I haven’t commented on any Aniston post in over a year now! But you said it perfectly well. I couldn’t agree more. 🙂
Oh Jen, like I tell my ten year old stepson, “not everyone is going to like you, someone not liking you is not bullying” . I can’t believe she is a grown woman saying she’s being bullied, she’s a one note crap actress, it’s not bullying it’s the truth.
Seriously. It’s not fair to the people actually getting bullied. We always tell that to my 13 and 11 y/o cousins as well, and they totally understand it. Prepubescent girls , displaying more maturity than a woman in her 40s. How embarrassing.
She really knows how to shoot herself in the ass doesn’t she? I think Huvane secretly hates her.
“and mark the two-year anniversary of their engagement.”
LMAO
0n occasion, I’ve wondered if Huvane actually hates Aniston. The two of them have made her look so petty, weak, and vain. Maybe she is all those things, but it seems like they’d downplay those character defects and focus on her strengths. By strengths, I don’t mean her hair and exercise regimen.
I think they were feeding into what the more vocal fans wanted. Sane people wish one great luck and support the person’s projects, if they think it is interesting work. The sane fans said bye Aniston. The insane fans stayed and got deemed the minivan fan club. I think that is what they are called.
I suspect his goal is to keep her famous even if it is at the expense of her looking like a sad sack. Even her roles are just to keep her working and current. Does she need the money? Does she feel the creative pull to play the same person in every film? Then why do so? And Meyer is right even if hes not a likeable person, shes playing the same game as the twitter z list but with old tactics.
That last part made me giggle, too
I like her, and part of me wants to tell her to shut up and go bathe in her millions to help her deal with criticism, but I also see her point. People are MEAN on the internet these days, not just in the celebrity world, it’s everywhere. I can’t even comment on the local news Facebook page without getting ripped a new one, it’s getting out of hand, and people really do spend so much time online. I can’t think of one social encounter in the last two years where the person didn’t check their phone multiple times during an outing. I wish it would go back to 1998! I miss the days of people not being able to get in touch with me without me freaking out, I keep my ringer off and everyone hates that I have to call them back, they’ll leave a message, then text, then message my Facebook asking if I’m ok all within 30 minutes, lol. Anyway, point is, good for Jennifer for staying offline, it’s not a bad thing, and people will talk about her regardless so it doesn’t matter.
I feel the same way Jess. It would be lovely just to hang out with people without feeling like you’re keeping them from more important business like facebook etc. It’s so rude!
It’s not that many years ago to it was considered rude to have your tv on while people were visiting, now look at us. She has a point.
I think Aniston is a mess, but I agree with you on all your other statements.
+1
If you chose a career that pays you millions of dollars to do nothing more than look adorable and emote, you have to expect some downside. We all have a career downside; mine is going to social events and feigning interest in people I hardly know, hers is getting criticized by movie critics and the general populous on social media. Yes, people can be unnecessarily vicious, but for every mean person criticizing her acting skills, or martyrdom, is another one blowing smoke up her butt and saying how flawless and delightful she is. It really isn’t all negative. Most celebrities accept this because the perks far out weight the snark. But if she’s really that overwhelmed by it she can always retire. Being a celebrity is voluntary, not mandatory.
I think John Mayer`s quote is annoying.
I actually wouldn’t mind going back to 1998 either.
He said it in such a condescending way, as usual. What do women see in him?
Every profession has some level of criticism, which helps you do a better job and , in her case, pick up better projects. She needs to stop complaining.
Scientists need to publish articles in order to keep doing a good work and get grants to fund their research. But simply doing research won’t get you there. When you submit a paper, there are , at least, 3 reviewers ( if your paper get to the point of reviewers looking at it. It may get denied at an earlier phase) to analyze your work and say if it is publishable. They give a lot of constructive criticism.
If she is referring to personal criticism and body shaming. Then, it is another story. Body shaming is not OK. In terms of personal criticism, she can be partially blamed for it, as she has played the victim game for so long with her passive-aggressive comments during interviews.
All true! I think people who are quality assets in the media should ignore tabloid people like Aniston and work to peak the interest of the greater part of us. Not the gossipy side, but the creative side, humorous side, and empathetic/sympathetic side to us. Basically that is just a long winded way of saying media (we all should ignore Aniston and her other tabloid ilk). This is my first comment on her in years…lol. I will go back to ignoring her, cause she is boring.
Doesn’t Jennifer have a point about critics saying negative things? I recall Rex Reed writing a review about Melissa McCarthy’s movie where he criticized her weight and everyone was up in arms about it.
And the film criticism community as a whole tore Reed a new one. Was he out of line? Yes! Did he get raked over the coals for it? Yes! No one condoned that behavior. And I think Armond White, another professional troll/critic, lost his credentials in the New York film critics association. There are consequences for them, too.
Right on!
Oh FFS. Really? Why would you bring up AJ and make yet another comparison? Its so ridiculous. I try not to get involved in these threads but the constant comparisons are so absurd I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut. AJ is perfect and JA is a hot mess. We get it. There is literally nothing this woman can say or do that will ever not be ripped to shreds for a lot of people.
Being rich and famous doesn’t make you immune to having feelings, and some of the shit said about her and her fiance are downright cruel. I don’t blame her for being annoyed or complaining about it.
And FTR because I know I’ll be raked over the coals over this post – if AJ wanted to complain, I wouldn’t blame her either.
Yeah, I agree with you.
I think this is what she, Laura Jean and J. Roberts (a/k/a A Low Vera) are experiencing, to their thinly veiled chagrin. The tides have changed, they are no longer young media darlings and karma is calling.
I still dont andurstand how Julia got away with that probably because Vera is not a celebrity can anyone imagine if Vera had gone all Brandy Glanvil on Julia. as far as the other women Jennifer, Reece and even Charlize Theron are reaping the bennifits of being friends with Chealsea Handler.
@darkdove
It all has to do with timing. Gossip blogs didn’t come out until 2006ish. I think that if blogs had been as popular now, as they were then, things would be a lot different for certain celebs. No one really cares about Julia Roberts–so why would they care about something that happened fifteen years ago? Same with Goop. I often wonder if Christian Bale had started doing the Batman movies NOW, as opposed to over ten years ago, if there would’ve been a lot more interest in his personal life.
I think she just stated an obvious truth, and mentioned how she deals with it.
If she had said we should ban the word “fat”, I would think she’s whining too much, but the comment here doesn’t seem to have anything that beefy to latch on to. It just seems like more of an observation rather than an order for people to stop doing certain things.
What’s wrong with her movies? I think they are nice. I wouldn’t call her extremely talented but neither is Jolie or halle berry to name a few. Rom Com is her niche and if she is fine with it then it’s her life and her decision. After all,she makes a hell of money more than half the commenters on this site. And I don’t know why no matter what she says or does is somehow linked with her divorce from brad Pitt. I really don’t get the hatred of this woman. She is pretty harmless. Pls give her a break
she is not harmless her friendship with Chealsea who hates Angelina who has done nothing to her says alot about who Jennifer is, she has the right to be friends with anyone she wants but she should tell those friends to shut up about her ex and his family she likes it when her friend bullies Angelina and calles her awful names in public.
Translation: Social media has made it impossible for us to hide the fact that we don’t spend much time together. I think we can fool you all, by telling you we’re now hermits.
I agree with her one hundred percent. It think if I were a celebrity I would stay away from the internet and social media big-time. The comments can be vicious and wearing and a lot of trolls and I would imagine so unfair to them and mostly not backed on real fact. It’s hard enough to hear someone in your neighborhood or office had said something disparaging about you, much less reading comments on all aspects of your life or looks or career ripping you apart.
Regarding movie reviews, I don’t see it every review at all, not even close, but I have seen what she says enough times to notice. I’ve seen it in movie reviews and in music reviews where they focused on the person and/or their career and not the actual music or movie performance they are reviewing. When that happens, oftentimes it seems very meanspirited and not professional and like they had a vendetta or preconceived notion going in and so didn’t review the actual performance or album objectively or in much detail, focusing on other aspects of the artist.
I don’t see Brad or Angie on social media. I don’t see a lot of big-time celebs on social media. John Mayer is a musician, so a different ball game.
Yes when her friends do it on TV on the radio about someone she doesn’t like she ok but it’s only problem when it’s being done to her?
If I were very famous, I don’t think I’d have a personal twitter. Or if I did, I would only use it to promote projects and charities, and would NEVER read the comments. Why punish yourself? I’ve heard many celebs say that there can be 99 positive things and 1 negative, and the negative one will the one that sticks in their mind.
The vast majority of professional film critics stick to the movie, but I too have seen some that go after personal aspects, and I think that’s out of line. But as long as they stick to what’s on screen, criticism is certainly fair. Actors either need to have a very thick skin about that sort of thing, or again, ignore it all together, but it’s part of the business.
This is what I dislike about Jennifer the most – the hypocrisy. She attacks online bullies and yet she is BFF with the biggest bully of all of them aka Chelsea Handler. In fact no one is in doubt that Jennifer is the one who encourages Chelsea to verbally attack Angelina and her children.
And also Jennifer is never grateful for anything – she constantly has to portray herself as a victim. She hates the Rachel cut and yet she only has the contract with living proof because of that. She attacks the media and paps and again they are the reason for her millions.
As the years go by the real face of Jennifer is slowly being revealed and it ain’t good.
My favorite social media exchange ever between celebs. It was during their charity drive for a trip to California and hotel stay and time with Matt and Ben and dinner with them for donations to the Congo Water Initiative. It’s between Jimmy Kimmel and Ben Affleck ribbing Matt Damon and his aversion to twitter. But this was priceless, the exchange and what old school Matt “faxed” back. Then Ben shaded Jimmy regarding the fax. LOL I love Matt’s term”faxtag” on his fax.
Enjoy.
http://perezhilton.com/2014-02-17-matt-damon-butt-fax-twitter-ben-affleck-jimmy-kimmel#.U_YdXPldVyU
Lets see, she backstabs her friend on social media, gets her pitbull to trash Angelina on social media, endorses skin and hair products when her hair and complection has seen better days, plastic for landfills, pushing ANOTHER beachy perfume with the exact same bottle as the first one. I don’t think the first one had much success so it’s odd she’s doing something so similar again. All she talks about is hair, weight, yoga. Nothing deep. Her hairdresser or herself posts selfies on media and then she says “i’m not a fan of selfies”, then boom, here come some more.
On Ellen one time, I THINK Ellen asked her about having a few drinks on a plane, and she said ” What do you think I’m going to do, Judy Garlanding it all flight, (nice one Jen) or something of that nature, acting like a tea queen when she clearly has a problem with alcohol. Just watch the award shows and late night interviews. I can’t remember what show it was but she used the term re***d and never apoligized for it, even though it hurt a lot of people. Now she’s all wah wah over bad critisism when her hair does better acting than she does.
In the second picture, her eyes are bulged out and that is exactly the look she has when she is asked a question in an interview. She’s trying so hard to concentrate it’s laughable. For someone who doesn’t like the media, if she doesn’t get weekly attention, she just ices her nipples and goes for a walk.
She is right about film critics. There are very few proper film critics writing these days, most people writing reviews have little film knowledge to draw from. I see a lot of reviews these days that just give a basic rundown of plot sprinkled with gossip or cruel attacks on the actors in the film. I’ve seen multiple reviews of various SJP films that just go on and on about how old she looks, loads of Jennifer’s reviews bring up the Triangle for no reason, Nicole Kidman’s reviews often focus on her plastic surgery (even when she’s playing the type of character who would be drowning in Botox, which she usually is). And a lot of reviews end up being a Lainey style Career Prospectus, which isn’t what a review is meant to be.
John Mayer is rude.
That’s all.
LOL yes, they do, especially when you’re not much of an actress.
I’m no Aniston fan, never have been. I didn’t watch Friends but I really don’t understand why people are always down on her. Who cares if she doesn’t want to Tweet? The Internet and modern media is a stupid mess, why kowtow to it? And John Mayer seems like a douche and a jack-ass. I am 47 and modern media is mostly boring as shit. I’m not going to waste all of my time on it. All this dumb over-sharing 24-7, keep a lid on it, nobody cares.
Agreed. She is hardly the first celebrity who has no interest in the internet and social media.
Aniston didn’t speak out when Chelsea was ranting on tv: “Everyone knows that you’re EVIL, Angelina!” She was smiling and sitting right next to Chelsea, too. So, she has no problems with Chelsea’s nastiness, but say anything about her, and it’s “bullying.” Classical narcissist hypocrisy. It goes right along with her previous behavior, too. Calling “a dear friend” insecure for putting “shit in her face,” and at the same time, she’s had plastic surgery herself. Let’s not even mention her uncool behavior when she got together with her current dude on-set while he was living in a long-term relationship. Yep, it’s everyone else. Poor dear Ms Victim of everyone. She must be a real pill to be around.
BTW, if I had her money, you could call me every name in the book. Wouldn’t care in the least. I would buy those Boise ultra fancy headphones and block it all out. 😉
Jennifer Aniston is the poster child for “First World Problems.”
@KATYD
Is that true? My gosh….
Can you give me the link?
I wanba see that vid.
I don’t have the video link. I remember it from ages ago when I used to watch Chelsea. I got sick of Handler and stopped watching her.
Here’s an article, if that helps.
http://www.accesshollywood.com/chelsea-handler-takes-aim-at-angelina-jolie_article_35803
@KATYD
Thanx, I’ve read it.
They are so pathetic and stinky.
They looks like just loser.
J Anniston has no right and reason to blame the “bullying” geez….
I wish she really hadn’t thrown in the critics line, because I don’t think I have ever come across a review where they were taking personal attacks against the actors. Saying their acting wasn’t good doesn’t count as a “personal attack”. But I can understand about just comments on the internet. Some people when writing a response to a news story or whatever can be really harsh or mean. Saying things like “They are so ugly”, “They’re so fat” etc.