In the world of celebrity romance, public backlash often fades quickly when star power, attractiveness, and talent are involved. A recent viral commentary highlighted this phenomenon, drawing parallels between modern controversies and one of Hollywood’s most infamous love triangles: Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie.
The discussion began with pop superstar Ariana Grande‘s relationship with Ethan Slater, her co-star in the Wicked films. Grande and Slater went public in 2023 amid reports that Slater had recently separated from his wife, with whom he shares a young child. Initial outrage labeled the pairing as controversial, but critics noted that Grande’s vocal prowess and charm appeared to soften public scrutiny over time, allowing the couple to weather the storm.
This echoed a far more intense saga from the mid-2000s involving Pitt and Jolie. At the time, Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, Hollywood’s beloved “America’s sweetheart” from Friends. The couple, wed in 2000, were seen as the ultimate golden pair—Pitt the movie heartthrob, Aniston the TV icon.
Trouble brewed during filming of the 2005 action-comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith, where Pitt co-starred with Angelina Jolie. Rumors of an on-set affair swirled, fueled by their undeniable chemistry. Pitt and Aniston announced their separation in January 2005, insisting it was mutual and unrelated to tabloid speculation. However, months later, photos emerged of Pitt and Jolie vacationing together, and a provocative W magazine spread depicted them as a domestic couple with children—a concept reportedly initiated by Pitt himself.
Aniston later reflected on the spread in a 2005 Vanity Fair interview, famously noting that Pitt seemed to lack a “sensitivity chip,” adding, “Brad would say, ‘That’s art!'” She expressed shock at the rapid developments but maintained grace, stating she still loved him.
Jolie, in subsequent interviews, admitted to falling in love with Pitt during filming. In 2006, she told Vogue that she couldn’t wait to get to work each day, and in 2008, she expressed excitement about one day showing their children Mr. & Mrs. Smith, as “not a lot of people get to see a movie where their parents fell in love.” Pitt later echoed this, calling the film his favorite of Jolie’s because “I fell in love.”
Despite the initial scandal—dubbed “Brangelina”—public opinion shifted. Fans praised the couple’s on-screen spark, attributing their romance to genuine connection rather than infidelity. Pitt and Jolie went on to build a family, adopting children and welcoming biological ones, becoming a philanthropic powerhouse couple until their 2016 separation (divorce finalized in 2024).
The commentary’s core point: In both cases, the celebrities’ immense talent and appeal allowed them to “get away with” actions that might devastate non-famous relationships. As one observer quipped, initial outrage gave way to admiration—”Darn, they can act/sing though.”
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater, whose relationship drew similar early criticism.
These stories underscore a timeless Hollywood truth: Charisma and stardom often outweigh controversy, turning potential career-enders into enduring legacies.
