Jennifer Aniston Was Shocked By David Schwimmer Rumors for This Reason
The actor just spoke out for the first time about reports she was dating her former co-star.
As if the Friends reunion wasn't exciting enough for fans of the '90s show, viewers also got a big reveal when the special aired in May. Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer shared that they had crushes on each other during the time that they played on-and-off couple Rachel Green and Ross Geller. So, perhaps unsurprisingly, reports began circulating soon after the special aired that the two former co-stars were actually, finally dating in 2021.
But those rumors were just rumors. Through representatives, Schwimmer and Aniston both denied that they're in a romantic relationship. And in a recent interview, Aniston responded to the speculation for the first time in her own words. Among other things, she revealed exactly why the rumors that she was dating her Friends pal were so shocking to her.
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Aniston and Schwimmer were mutually attracted to each other during filming.
On the reunion special, both Aniston and Schwimmer talked about being into each other early on in the series, but also shared that nothing ever coming from it. "The first season I had a major crush on Jen," Schwimmer said. Aniston added that the crush "was reciprocated." But, Schwimmer explained, "It was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship, and we never crossed that boundary."
Aniston said she even talked to Schwimmer about their potential first kiss. She told him, "'It's gonna be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television.' Sure enough, first time we kissed was in that coffee shop. So we just channeled all of our adoration and love for each other into Ross and Rachel."
Then, dating rumors began to circulate.
In August, the U.K. publication Closer reported that the reunion brought Aniston and Schwimmer together romantically at long last. "After the reunion, it became clear that reminiscing over the past had stirred up feelings for both of them and that chemistry they'd always had to bury was still there," a source said. "They began texting immediately after filming and, just last month, David flew from his home in New York to see Jen in LA."
But, the actors quickly shot down the gossip. Reps for both Schwimmer and Aniston told HuffPost U.K. that the report was untrue.
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Aniston just called the rumors "bizarre."
When she denied the rumor through her rep, Aniston didn't share anything other than it not being true. Now, she's opening up more. In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actor talked about the rumor and why it was so unfathomable to her. "That was bizarre," she said. "I could not believe that, actually. Like, really? That's my brother."
Still, she gets why fans would hope that something were really happening between them. "But I understand it, though," she continued. "It just shows you how hopeful people are for fantasies, for dreams to come true."
She said she would admit if it anything ever happened between her and Schwimmer.
After the Friends reunion, but prior to the rumor that they were dating, Aniston commented on their mutual crush on The Howard Stern Show. "We were in relationships and it was always never the right time and it wouldn't have worked," Aniston said (via People). "The beauty of that was that whatever feelings we had we just literally channeled everything into Ross and Rachel and I think that's maybe why it resonated the way it did."
She then added, "Howard's not going to believe me … No, I would proudly say I banged Schwimmer if that happened. But no."
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