She’s back on the Hollywood singles scene following her split from husband Jim Toth after 12 years of marriage and 10-year-old son Tennessee together. And insiders say Reese Witherspoon’s newly-single status has unnerved her close friend, Jennifer Aniston, 54, who fears a battle could break out between the A-list bachlorettes.

COMPETITIVE

Aside from a few flings, including a rumoured brief reconciliation with her first husband, Brad Pitt, Jen – who’s referred to her The Morning Show co-star, 47, as her “little sister” – has been largely single since her divorce from Justin Theroux in 2018.

A source says, “Jen is of course heartbroken for Reese and has been supporting her through a very painful time, but it’s also sparked some fears of how Reese being back on the dating scene could affect their close friendship.

“The Hollywood dating pool is very small and being global superstars, it’s not like they can just jump on dating apps or meet a man at a bar, which makes it far more difficult to find that perfect man.

“There are only a handful of eligible bachelors – especially at their age and both being two-time divorcees – so Jen’s naturally worried that things could get competitive between them. Their most likely chance of meeting someone is at a Hollywood party, or at work. Since they’re working together a lot, this means there’s a high chance they could be vying for the same man, and Jen’s understandably concerned at how this is going to play out.”

RIVALRY

The pair – who’ve cited each other as “besties” – first struck-up a friendship over two decades ago when Reese landed a guest part as Jennifer’s character Rachel Green’s sister on hit-show, Friends.

They remained close over the years until they got to co-star on The Morning Show, which is due to air its third season later this year.

In 2021, Closer revealed how Jen was supporting her pal amid her reported marriage crisis, sparked by snaps of Reese being spotted without her wedding ring. And the Legally Blonde star – who shares daughter, Ava, 23, and 19-year-old son, Deacon, with first husband, Ryan Phillippe, 48 – is said to have played matchmaker for Jen over the years.

And while the Friends star is anxious about potential rivalry that could arise from being on the Hollywood dating scene together, pals say she’s determined not to let it affect their friendship.

The source adds, “Jen’s adamant that she she won’t let any underlying competition or jealousy over a man get in the way of the relationship they’ve nurtured and cherished over the years. She’s said that although they have similar types, they can now be each other’s wingwomen – even joking at how they’ll set strict ground rules such as not dating each other’s exes!

“Jen and Reese have stuck together throughout all the heartache they’ve both endured in their romantic lives over the years, and Jen’s vowed that, whatever happens, their friendship is paramount.”