Fans applaud Quinta Brunson for how she supported Jennifer Aniston during an emotional interview moment
“Quinta handled this masterfully."
The way Brunson comforted Aniston speaks volumes.
For those not familiar with Variety's“Actors on Actors,” it’s a live interview series where two actors discuss various aspects of their craft and career. Often, actors will be paired together because of a common thread. Margot Robbie and Cillian Murphy during the height of "Barbenheimer," for example. Or Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, who both starred in the 2006 classic The Devil Wears Prada.
At one point during the conversation, a producer off camera suggested that Brunson ask Aniston “what it’s like to watch Friends now.”
This clearly struck a chord with Aniston, who, already tearing up, said, “Don’t make me cry.”
Noticing this, Brunson softly said, “You’re already crying. Do you want a minute?” before assuring her, “We don’t have to talk about [this].”
@varietymagazine Jennifer Aniston gets emotional when asked about "Friends." #ActorsOnActors ♬ original sound - Variety
Tilting her head up to not let the tears fall, Aniston replied, “No, no, sorry, I just started thinking about...” before Brunson quickly said, “I know. Yeah.”
It’s evident that Aniston’s emotional reaction was triggered by the loss of her former Friends cast mate Matthew Perry, who died suddenly on October 28, 2023. The pair’s friendship remained strong even after the show ended in 2004; Perry even revealed that Aniston was the member of their group who reached out to him “the most” during his sobriety journey.All this to say, Aniston was understandably triggered by the question. Brunson saw that, and acted accordingly. She once again offered, “We don’t have to talk about it,” waited while Aniston grabbed a tissue to compose herself, then masterfully guided the conversation to a joke.
“So, Jen, Friends is turning 30…and you are turning 30…When you were a baby on that show, you were so advanced…your fine motor skills were insane”
Viewers applauded the Abbott Elementary star for “taking care” of Aniston’s emotional wellbeing.
”Quinta gets props for saying to Jennifer, ‘We don’t have to go there if you don’t want to.’ I get why the producers were trying to create that buzzworthy moment, but I also appreciate Quinta’s willingness to derail it for Jennifer’s sake,” one person wrote on Youtube
“Quinta’s little ‘I know’ — it was so simple but so kind and empathetic,” added another.
Over on TikTok, comments were just as complimentary.
“Quinta handled this masterfully,” wrote one person.
Another echoed, “How Quinta handled that- that’s why she’s where she’s at.”
Seeing people take care of one another never gets old. You can watch the full conversation between Brunson and Aniston below:
This article originally appeared last year.
- Jennifer Aniston is opening up about her fertility struggles and countless women can relate ›
- Adam Sandler sends Jennifer Aniston flowers on Mother's Day even though she doesn't have kids ›
- Jimmy Kimmel hosted an emotional reunion between 'Abbott Elementary' creator and her sixth-grade teacher ›
- Fan applaud 'Friends' start Matt Leblanc's 'refreshing' take on wealth - Upworthy ›