The Marc Leclercone where Justin Theroux still thinks highly of his ex. 

One week after confirming his engagement to Nicole Brydon Bloom, the Leftovers actor revealed that he and ex-wife Jennifer Aniston are still close seven years after their 2017 split. 

In fact, Justin said he felt protective over the Friends alum when she called out Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance back in July over his negative comments about "childless cat ladies."

“She is still very dear to me so of course, yeah, I feel protective," the 53-year-old told The Times in an interview published Sept. 3. "But she batted back criticism, as well she should.”

And while his friendship with Jennifer has remained steady, Justin is excited about about taking a major leap forward  with fiancée Nicole after over one year of dating—even if he was a bit anxious to pop the big question last month.

“Of course I was nervous proposing,” he shared. “It is a question after all, so the answer isn’t guaranteed. But it was wonderful.”

This isn't the first time Justin has opened up about his relationship with Jennifer post-breakup. The Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice star previously shared that the former couple have managed to maintain a strong bond because they "didn't have that dramatic split."

"I'm sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship," he explained in a 2021 interview with Esquire. "We can not be together and still bring each other joy and friendship."

Noting that Jennifer makes him laugh "very, very hard," Justin added, "It would be a loss if we weren't in contact, for me personally. And I'd like to think the same for her."

As for Jennifer? The Golden Globe winner—who was previously married to Brad Pitt for five years before calling it quits in 2005—also saw the positive sides of saying goodbye to a romantic relationship with Justin.

As she put it in a 2021 interview on SiriusXM's Lunch with Bruce podcast, "I loved really being my own woman. Without being a part of a couple. I've been a part of a couple since I was 20, so there was something really nice about taking the time."

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