Jennifer Aniston has sent the internet into a tailspin after appearing fully naked (lying on Jon Hamm, no less) during an episode of her award-winning series, The Morning Show. Social media commenters declared the actress-cum-producer to be variously “iconic” and “so hot”, and the show’s director lauded her star as a “very powerful woman”. But friends say it’s not just Jen’s TV career that’s peaking, but the rest of her life, too. The megastar’s told friends she’s entering a new chapter, and it’s her happiest yet…

“This feels, to Jen, like her most powerful phase,” says an insider close to the 54-year-old A-lister, who’s been single since her divorce from Justin Theroux in 2018. “She’s never felt more empowered or content as she does now. It feels like she’s really thriving at work, at home, and in her social life. Everyone’s commenting on how great it is to see her finally – genuinely – making the most of her life.” It follows a week of excitement over the third series of Apple TV’s hugely popular The Morning Show. Jen – who not only stars as presenter Alex Levy, but also acts as the Emmy-award-winning show’s executive producer – garnered huge praise over a particularly sexy storyline opposite Jon Hamm. A recent episode saw Alex bedding tech billionaire, Paul Marks, played by Jon, 52, with viewers accusing them of “making history” with their heated sex scene. Critics pointed out it was “the first time we’ve seen anything like it on The Morning Show – or in Jennifer Aniston’s career”, while viewers tweeted, “Jennifer Aniston hasn’t had an on screen kiss like this since Ross and Rachel.” Another wrote, “Damn, girl,” while a third gushed, “Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show being the hottest woman.” Others called the scene, “so beautiful” and “so hot”, while Jen revealed her own joy at working with the <Mad Men> star, calling him, “a big one, yeah… we were very excited.” Last week, the show’s director acknowledged the internet’s obsession, saying of Jen’s character, “Alex doesn’t do easy. Nothing she does is easy. She’s a very powerful woman, and that attracts very powerful men… We wanted it to be sexy. We wanted it to be adult. We wanted it to be emotional. They really let go. They’re great actors.”

It’s been almost 30 years since Jen first appeared on our TV screens on Friends (in that wedding dress) and she’s been through more than her fair share of highs and lows in that time. She recently revealed how she’s found “work to be a real place of solace” during the harder times – and it’s also where she’s found her closest friendships. She remains besties with co-stars, Courteney Cox, who Jen says has “the biggest heart”, and Lisa Kudrow, who she recently called “one of my favourite people on the planet.” Jen is also close to film stars, Adam Sandler – who sends her flowers every year on Mother’s Day – and Jason Bateman, as well as late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel. And sources say the Marley & Me star’s become particularly close in recent years to her TMS co-star – and co-exec-producer – Reese Witherspoon. The pair go way back, with Reese, 47, playing Rachel Green’s spoilt little sister on Friends in 2000, saying of Jen during the guest appearances, “She was so sweet to me… she was just so effortlessly affable, bubbly, and sunny. We’ve been friends ever since.” And insiders tell Grazia the feeling is mutual. “Jen adores Reese,” says a source. “They’ve known each other for many years but The Morning Show has really brought them so much closer together. Even though Jen is older, Reese has become almost like a mentor to her when it comes to her producer role. With Reese’s help and insight, Jen’s become an extremely hands-on television producer, working tirelessly behind the scenes. And away from set, they’ve bonded, too, dealing with Covid, the streaming wars, writers’ strikes – not to mention the end of Reese’s marriage earlier this year. It’s been a crazy time and they’ve really been there for each other. Jen feels so lucky to have Reese – and all her pals. She has a rock solid friendship circle and considers them her family. They do everything together and have each other’s backs through thick and thin. Jason and Courteney are the first people she calls at the end of a long day’s work – they’re the beating heart of her support system.”

And focusing on her career has been a welcome change for the star, whose love life has been under heavy scrutiny since her marriage to film star, Brad Pitt in 2000. Initially Hollywood’s dream couple, fans were left shocked five years later, when the pair divorced amid claims Brad had cheated with fellow actor, Angelina Jolie. The threeway scrutiny over the trio followed Jen for years, with her love life becoming close to an obsession for many fans. In a recent interview, she admitted it took her a while to come “out from under the rubble” of her first divorce, though she was later linked with the likes of Bradley Cooper, John Mayer, Tate Donovan, Paul Rudd – with Jen dismissing this as happening  “when we were, like, 12!” – and Vince Vaughan, who she credited as bringing her “back to life”. She went on to call Vince “my defibrillator” and, “first gasp of air”, adding, “It was great. I love him. He’s a bull in a china shop. He was lovely and fun and perfect for the time we had together.” She later married <Wanderlust> actor Justin, 52, with Jen remaining single since their split five years ago. Earlier this year, Jen confessed she was keen to meet someone new, revealing she “would love a relationship,” and adding, “There are moments I want to just crawl up in a ball and say, ‘I need support.’ It would be wonderful to come home and fall into somebody’s arms and say, ‘That was a tough day’.” In another chat, the star confirmed, “I think it’s time. I think I’m ready to share myself with another,” joking, “No gingers and no Raya please. I’m an old school girl.” In August, she admitted relationships remain “a challenge for me”, continuing before trailing off, “I’m really good at every other job I have, and that’s sort of the one area that’s a little…”

But sources say she’s no longer as motivated by this mission. “Being happy on her own is a huge deal for Jen, because her relationships have overshadowed so much of her life,” says our source. “She’s well aware that her single status has been a hot topic in Hollywood for a long time, and she’s felt a lot of pressure to date, especially if there was a movie to promote. But she doesn’t worry about it now. And it’s not like she’s been on her own for the past five years! She’s had plenty of casual dates and low-key liaisons – they just haven’t morphed into serious relationships. Right now, Jen’s embracing this new era of feeling powerful and confident. She’s in love with her life, and feels tremendous satisfaction that she doesn’t need a man to feel happy or fulfilled anymore. At this point, her career is doing the talking far more than her personal life – and she counts herself extremely blessed.”