"I Thought I Wasn't Smart": Jennifer Aniston Opens up About Her Dyslexia
Heartbreaking.
In her new Hollywood Reporter profile, you learn that Jennifer Aniston owns a Chagall, watches the Bachelor with Justin Theroux, and wishes Brad Pitt well. She also gives some juicy, existential sound bytes, but the most poignant part of the interview has to be when she opens up about living with dyslexia.
"The only reason I knew [I had it] was because I went to get a prescription for glasses," she says. "I had to wear these Buddy Holly glasses. One had a blue lens and one had a red lens. And I had to read a paragraph, and they gave me a quiz, gave me 10 questions based on what I'd just read, and I think I got three right. Then they put a computer on my eyes, showing where my eyes went when I read. My eyes would jump four words and go back two words, and I also had a little bit of a lazy eye, like a crossed eye, which they always have to correct in photos."
Before her reading disorder was diagnosed in her early 20s, the Cake actress struggled with bad grades and her self-image. (Although she says school was where she learned people liked her sense of humor.)
"I thought I wasn't smart. I just couldn't retain anything," she says. "Now I had this great discovery. I felt like all of my childhood trauma-dies, tragedies, dramas were explained."
You should also check out:
Jennifer Aniston Says She's the "Number-One Snubbed" at the Oscars
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Jennifer Aniston Says What All Women Are Thinking
Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.
-
Blue Ivy Carter’s ‘Mufasa’ Makeup Is Causing Controversy
Allow Black girls to experiment with beauty in peace.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Jennifer Lopez and Her Floor-Length Sleeves Single-Handedly Revive the Boho Trend
The star looked like a child of the '70s in a Chloé onesie.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Sabrina Carpenter's Micro Shorts Are a Slice of Fashion History
She was brave to trot it out at the height of winter.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Jennifer Aniston Shares an Inside Peek at Her "Friendsgiving" with a Special 'Friends' Co-star
Break out the Thanksgiving pants.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family
"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved
"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox Remember Matthew Perry One Year On From His Tragic Death
He passed away on Oct. 28, 2023.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Courteney Cox Says "Monica Is Alive and Well" But a 'Friends' Reboot Is Out of the Question
"Are you kidding?"
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Jennifer Aniston Reveals the No-Holds-Barred Interview Question Her TV Alter Ego Alex Levy Would Ask Her
Yowza.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published