Justin Theroux has explained why he and Jennifer Aniston divorced in early 2018, after two years of marriage, refuting rumors of a dramatic ending.

The pair said in a joint statement at the time, announcing the end of their three-year marriage and seven-and-a-half year relationship: ‘Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another.’

In an Esquire piece published on Thursday, Theroux refuted the long-held belief that the famous couple split because they couldn’t agree on a home base.

The actor said, “I would say we’ve remained friends. We don’t talk every day, but we call each other. We FaceTime. We text. Like it or not, we didn’t have that dramatic split, and we love each other. I’m sincere when I say that I cherish our friendship.”

He explained, “We can not be together and still bring each other joy and friendship. Also, she makes me laugh very, very hard. She’s a hilarious person. It would be a loss if we weren’t in contact, for me personally. And I’d like to think the same for her.”

Recognizing that for many people, staying friends with an ex is too painful and difficult, it appeared that Theroux (and most likely, Aniston) have different perspectives, with the actor explaining: “I think that when you get good at relationships — and here I am, single — if you love the person the same way you loved them in the relationship, it would behoove you to love them the same way out of the relationship.”

Aniston and Theroux started dating in 2011, and their breakup six years later has been the subject of considerable speculation.

Anjelica Oswald of Insider reported at the time of their divorce in 2018 that unidentified sources informed Entertainment Tonight that Theroux wanted to stay in New York City, while Aniston favored Los Angeles.

Theroux has since clarified that this is not the case – at least not totally.

“That’s a narrative that is not true, for the most part,” he explained. “People create narratives that make themselves feel better or simplify things for them. That whole ‘This person likes rock ‘n’ roll, that person likes jazz. Of course!’ That’s just not the case. It’s an oversimplification.”

Aniston and Theroux dated after working together on the film Wanderlust, and the actor proposed to her on her 41st birthday in New York 11 years ago.

A year later, the pair became engaged before secretly married in a backyard ceremony in August 2015, with Justin sharing information of the event two years later in 2017.

Two and a half years later, the couple announced their split in a statement that echoed much of what Theroux told Esquire. “This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year. We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship,” the announcement said.

“Normally we would do this privately, but given that the gossip industry cannot resist an opportunity to speculate and invent, we wanted to convey the truth directly. Whatever else is printed about us that is not directly from us, is someone else’s fictional narrative. Above all, we are determined to maintain the deep respect and love that we have for one another.”