I have to admit, I am here for the concept of Jennifer Aniston as a Stylish Rich Woman Who Lives in an Amazing House in Palm Springs and Who May or May Not Have Murdered Her First Husband, Who Deserved It, as seen on these covers. (A film idea you are welcome to option, Jennifer.) I never think of her as a Big Necklace Lady, but they’re fun here, and InStyle has nailed late afternoon September light in a way I’m not sure I’ve actually ever seen on a September issue — at least, not lately. Aniston is never going to do a cover where she is, like, dressed as Moira Rose in The Crows Have Eyes III or something, but these are a little outside of her wheelhouse in a way that feels fun without being extremely weird. The soupçon of eccentricity is appreciated.
And the jewelry IS great.
The interview is quite a good read; Laura Brown, the InStyle EIC is always an adept interviewer, and is good at having an actual conversation with her subjects, who clearly trust her. (It also makes me chuckle that one of the captions on the editorial shots mentions Aveeno, for which Aniston is a long-time spokesperson. That Aveeno contract must be fat!) It covers a LOT of ground, from the pandemic to The Bachelor, and I thought this bit was interesting (and relevant to our interests):
LB: On the red carpet, you give this compelling look of faint interest. I remember taking a picture with you once and whispering with a clenched jaw, “I don’t know how you do this.”
JA: And I said, “This is how we do it. We clench jaws together, say fake nothings, and make each other laugh eventually!”
LB: How did you figure out your best red-carpet pose?
JA: It depends on your stylist, because they go, “Never do this! Always do this!” I’m like, “Well, that feels weird.” I don’t know how to stand on a red carpet, but you do the best you can. I also try to connect with those people holding cameras. Some of them I’ve known a long time, so I’ll say hello. If I’m having an honest interaction with someone, it makes it easier. You know who I think masters the red carpet?
LB: Who?
JA: J.Lo. I want to know what gives her the look like she’s about to be seething. It’s amazing. She’s almost stuck getting mad at somebody, but she’s just so gorgeous. She’s like, “I can’t believe I’m standing here.” But I don’t think she’s trying; she fell out of bed that way. She’s a performer.
I will note that although Aniston comes across as being pretty down-to-earth, considering her massive level of fame, and she always seems like a generally nice person who would be easy to be friends with, she also notes that when she’s stressed, she will eat one chip. JENNIFER. HAVE TWO CHIPS.
