Jennifer Aniston says influencers are ‘diluting the actor’s jobs’

Jennifer Aniston is one of the world’s most famous faces but it seems she isn’t a fan of sharing the spotlight with influencers, who she claims are “diluting” her job.

Jennifer Aniston says social media influencers are “diluting” her job, adding people are now becoming famous for “basically doing nothing.”

The 53-year-old US actress, who shot to fame on the hit sitcom Friends in the ‘90s and has enjoyed a decades-long career in both TV and film, made the comments to fellow US actor Sebastian Stan in a sit-down interview for Variety.

The duo were discussing Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s infamous 1995 sex tape leak, which is the subject of Stan’s latest series Pam & Tommy, when Aniston began to open up about the changing face of fame over the years.

“It was right at the time when the internet really shaped a new culture about people becoming famous,” Aniston began. “This thing of people becoming famous for basically doing nothing but yet having these incredible careers. And then women’s reputation … I mean — Paris Hilton, Monica Lewinsky, all those.

Jennifer Aniston said social media influencers were "famous for basically doing nothing."

She added: “I feel so lucky that we got a little taste of the industry before it became what it is today. More streaming services, you’re famous from TikTok, you’re famous from YouTube, you’re famous from Instagram. It’s almost, like, it’s diluting the actor’s job.”

Aniston’s comments have received mixed reaction on social media, with some slamming her for having a “privileged perspective.”

Seems like a very privileged perspective. Now there are more opportunities than ever for talent to rise. It isn’t always up to a big producer that may not like the way you look.

Still a long way to go in terms of diversity, but more opportunities for actors is a good thing. https://t.co/VXXM1sBDfT

— Xai (@xaichai) June 13, 2022

Jennifer Aniston's parents were both millionaire actors embedded in the film industry. Their connections allowed for Aniston to have the career that she has. Not trying to minimise what she did in her career but I actually think some of this move away from industry elite is good.

— Skandar (@skandarmalik4) June 13, 2022

The entertainment industry used to be curated by & for men like Harvey Weinstein. How people ‘get discovered’ is different now. There’s certainly an influx of new ‘talent’ & some are shoehorned in the wrong roles but romanticizing the nepotism& toxicity of the old way seems weird https://t.co/r8JBkhEzZc

— jstoobs (@thejstoobs) June 14, 2022

jennifer aniston (nepotism baby) wants to talk about diluting the actors job. right. https://t.co/ODZtBDzDVU

— sk (@kirkxxs) June 13, 2022

Others jumped to Aniston’s defence, arguing she emerged in the showbiz industry at a time when it was difficult to get discovered.

She’s not wrong… the early 00’s was revolutionizing. You actually had to have talent.

— yung ri¢h (@itsrichard_e) June 13, 2022

She kind of has a point though. Trained actors and those just coming out of training have been getting sidelined for influencers with no training whatsoever for a while now. And it’s happening across the board, no matter the race/class. Usually those influencers are white, too.

— D.K. Uzoukwu (@DKuzNY) June 13, 2022

I agree w/ Jennifer Aniston & discuss this often.

While I can appreciate ability to gain success as social media influencer, blurring lines of what constitutes talent worthy to lead film / tv roles is effecting quality.

TikTok star is often completely diff than film / tv star.

— Chelar (@ChelarVale) June 13, 2022

I don't get why people are mad, she is telling the truth. People that go to theater school and many others that are in the entertainment industry for years are losing jobs or being compared to influencers with no background in any entertainment field.

— Lil' Lui (@lulzGus) June 13, 2022

Despite her stance, the actress continues to enjoy a glittering career in the industry, with more than 70 film and TV credits, Golden Globe and Emmy Awards and a reported net worth of $424 million.

Since her career skyrocketed, Aniston managed to break free from her iconic character in Friends to become one of the world’s highest-paid actors.

She was rumoured to have been paid up to $3.6 million for the Friends reunion last year, which streams locally on Binge.