Why the media loves to say Jennifer Aniston is ‘pregnant’

JENNIFER Aniston would have hundreds of children if every tabloid story written about her was correct.

A basic Google image search of ‘Jennifer Aniston pregnant magazine’ will bring up hundreds of results of Jennifer Aniston’s ‘pregnancies’ over the past two decades. Picture: Google

OPINION

“Finally pregnant!” ... “Pregnant at last!”

These are terms regularly matched up with Jennifer Aniston’s name on magazine covers.

Tabloids have been trying to put babies in her since she was first married to Brad Pitt 16 years ago. I should know — as a picture editor who previously worked at one popular weekly magazine, I was partly responsible.

Jennifer Aniston’s not completely innocent in this media speculation. We regularly see the same picture scenarios offered up as proof of Jen’s bun in the oven. To avoid this type of press, there are a few simple lessons her media team could advise her not to do.

1. Don’t wear ANYTHING that could even remotely pass as maternity wear:

Photos like this are a total gimme for publications wanting to say Jen’s pregnant. Picture: Getty Images

2. Never place your hand on your stomach in public, ever:

Pictured on July 23, 2016, this new pic of Jen will likely feature in a story suggesting pregnancy. Picture: PapJuice/INFphoto.com

3. Don’t wear anything that’s poorly fitted and simultaneously place your hand on your stomach:

Big mistake. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

4. Don’t wear a dress that clings to every curve:

Pictures of Aniston at this film premiere in 2013 also set off the baby speculation rumours. Picture: Rob Kim/Getty Images

5. I’m not even sure what’s wrong with this dress, but the shade definitely emphasises her stomach:

The shadowing on this sequined dress spawned more pregnancy stories. Picture: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The result of these photos can be seen below, with hundreds of magazine covers worldwide all claiming to have the ‘first pics!’ of her bump.

She’s not the only celeb subjected to this pregnancy treatment, and there are moments where a tell tale ‘baby bump’ paparazzi photo would be followed with an official pregnancy announcement, but in the case of Jennifer Aniston, now aged 47, that announcement (or baby) has never arrived.

She should have a tribe of children by now.

The latest pictures to suggest Jen’s having a baby surfaced last week. She can be seen in a strapless bikini, hanging out on a beach in the Bahamas with husband Justin Theroux.

By normal people standards, her body is still tiny and without a hint of cellulite. Her stomach from a side angle however, does show off what could pass as a slight baby bump.

... or it could not. Cue the stories and social media discussions.

She has no control over pics like this.

This is the latest round of speculation.

Social media has provided a platform for readers to discuss stories in a public forum, and every time the words ‘Jen Aniston Pregnant!’ or ‘Nicole Kidman pregnant!’ are featured on a magazine’s cover, the onslaught of comments are generally directed at the stories being fabricated.

Readers know the deal but they still love to read and comment about gossip, whether they admit it or not. Picture: Facebook

Aniston herself addressed the baby issue in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year.

“Listen, that’s a topic that’s so exhausted. I get nervous around that, just because it’s very personal. Who knows if it’s going to happen? It’s been a want. We’re doing our best.”

In regards to the latest photos of Jen doing the rounds her spokesperson told Entertainment Tonight: “She’s not pregnant. What you see is her having just enjoyed a delicious lunch and her feeling safe on private property.”

The picture editor in me will eat my words if she actually is pregnant at 47. After all these years. Even after her rep has denied it.

Originally published as Why the media loves to say Jennifer Aniston is ‘pregnant’