It was the moment their fans had waited more than a decade to witness.
Brad Pitt, standing triumphant with a Golden Globe in hand, looking happier than he has in years as he addresses his peers, while his proud-as-punch ex-wife Jennifer Aniston looks on with adoration from the audience. And those photos from backstage at the SAG Awards, which sent the internet into overdrive!
It’s as close as a public reunion we’ve had from the former flames since they split in 2005 after five years of marriage – and newly divorced Brad (56) says the pair are now “good friends” following his acrimonious parting from second wife Angelina Jolie (44).
Yes, things are certainly looking up for Brad, who candidly admitted hitting rock bottom after his split from the actress.
But with his drug and alcohol battles behind him – the rumoured causes of his second divorce – a rejuvenated Brad has taken Hollywood by storm, with his Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actor in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and his seventh Oscar nomination, for the same role.
It’s a renaissance – a “Brad-aissance”, as one entertainment magazine put it – but Brad says he’s just “putting stories into the world”. And for once, they’re not about his love life.
“I mean, it’s really nice when your number comes up,” he says of his awards glory.
“But the goal is for the film to land, to speak to someone, whether it’s now or a decade from now.”
Emerging from his personal woes – though he somewhat jokingly still calls his private life a “disaster” – has been tough for dad-of-six Brad, whose addictions to marijuana and alcohol came to a head in 2016 when he was involved in an altercation with his eldest son Maddox, then 15, on a private plane.
But he’s been determined to put his past behind him, and pals say his reinvigorated friendship with Jen (50) has been instrumental.
“[Brad and Jen] have built their bond and rekindled their friendship so much more than it was the past few years now that they’re both single,” a pal says.
“They’ve realised what’s important in life, and since they shared so much love for each other it’s such a nice thing for them to both have this kind of close friendship again. They trust each other and love the fact that they have someone who has their back.”
Brad in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Brad was among 100 guests at Jen’s 50th birthday last year – and was almost the last to leave – and he also attended her annual Christmas party.
And when asked by reporters about the possibility of bumping into his ex-wife on the Golden Globes red carpet, Brad simply laughed.
“I’ll run into Jen. She’s a good friend, yeah.”
While there’s no promise of a reconciliation – “Oh my God,” an exasperated Brad laughed when asked by paparazzi – the pair are enjoying their renewed closeness, while each casually dating others, although Brad did joke during his Golden Globes speech that he’d wanted to bring his mum, but “anyone I stand next to, they say I’m dating… and that would just be awkward.”
A star is reborn: Brad credits his pal Bradley with getting him sober.
(Credit: Getty Images)Brad also spoke of his gratitude for another A-list buddy as he made the awards season rounds, revealing that A Star is Born actor Bradley Cooper (45) helped him with his addiction battle.
As Bradley presented Brad with a Best Supporting Actor award from the National Board of Review, Brad spoke of his struggles, saying, “Thank you, Bradley. Bradley just put his daughter to bed and rushed over to do this. I got sober because of this guy. And every day’s been happier since.”
Quentin Tarantino’s latest epic, set in late 1960s Los Angeles against the background of the Charles Manson murders, has been a saving grace for Brad, with his performance hailed as the best of his career.
“Just where I am in life, I was just really drawn to him,” he says of his role as a Hollywood stuntman.
“It was a guy who is pretty at peace with his life, knew what he was dedicated to, knew what he was not dedicated to, looked for the best in people but was not surprised to get the worst in people. I could relate to that.”
