**James McAvoy Opens Up About His Awkward First Encounter with Jennifer Aniston**
In a candid conversation on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” James McAvoy, 45, shared the details of his less-than-stellar first meeting with the iconic Jennifer Aniston, 55. The renowned “Wanted” star, who moved to Los Angeles in his 20s, found himself starstruck at a Hollywood party and, spoiler alert, didn’t quite play it cool.
Recalling that fateful night, McAvoy described being introduced to Aniston by actress Lucy Liu, who initially welcomed him into her circle. “It was rough. But she was lovely,” he confided, providing a glimpse into a moment that most of us can relate to—feeling completely out of our depth in the presence of a superstar.
At that time, McAvoy was only 22, a fresh face in Tinseltown, and the realization of standing next to Aniston had him flustered. “I was at this party,” he began narrating, “and Lucy Liu, who was incredibly kind, pulled me into a group where one of her friends happened to be Jennifer.” Just as introductions were about to be made, Liu found herself distracted—forging a connection with someone from her past—leaving McAvoy awkwardly standing there.
“So, you’re Jennifer Aniston, and you’re in ‘Friends,’” he stated, a cringe-worthy reminder of the pressures of meeting someone whose fame is as big as their smile. “It wasn’t great. … [not] because she’s not great,” McAvoy clarified, trying to shift the focus from his embarrassing gaffe to Aniston’s gracious demeanor.
It’s this charm, which helped propel her to prominence on the beloved sitcom “Friends,” that McAvoy later credited, adding how lovely Aniston was during their encounter—even if he didn’t shine in that moment.
Beyond this amusing anecdote, McAvoy also reflected on the influence of his beloved grandmother, who instilled in him a resilience to navigate the complexities of showbiz without fear of failure. “She doesn’t care what anyone thinks, and that’s a liberating perspective,” he mused, highlighting the invaluable life lessons she imparted.
As for McAvoy, he may have stumbled upon meeting Aniston, but his journey continues, enriched with stories that keep his fans engaged. Who can blame him for having those butterflies when face-to-face with the “Friends” legend? After all, we’ve all had our fair share of awkward encounters!
