Jennifer Aniston said Shirley MacLaine told her the two were mother and daughter in a past life, a revelation the actor discussed during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Aniston, 56, who talked with longtime friend Drew Barrymore on Friday, described attending what she called a "past life regression retreat" at MacLaine's ranch in New Mexico. Barrymore put MacLaine on the phone during the segment, and the veteran actress told Aniston she had been impressed by her professionalism while filming the 2005 comedy Rumor Has It. MacLaine then told Aniston she believed they had been mother and daughter in a previous lifetime.
MacLaine, long known for discussing past-life memories, also described to Aniston several identities she believes she has held: a harem girl in Turkey, a performer in ancient times, a Muslim gypsy in Spain and, she has said, an inhabitant of the mythical city of Atlantis. Aniston said she felt an "instant bond" with MacLaine and recounted that the actress had been with her when her dog Norman died, an emotional moment she referenced on the show.
During the episode, Aniston and Barrymore also discussed potential collaborations. Aniston said she and Barrymore planned to "do something" together and Barrymore suggested a project that would also include Adam Sandler. Aniston expressed enthusiasm about the idea, saying she would "literally change my life" to do a movie with the two. She additionally said she has long wanted to perform on Broadway, citing an early reaction to the musical Annie and calling the theater community "sacred."
The conversation touched on Aniston's involvement with a new take on the film 9 to 5; she said Dolly Parton will be involved in the project and praised Parton, saying the singer-songwriter is "everything you would imagine and more."
Aniston is best known for starring in the NBC sitcom Friends and more recently for her role on the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show. MacLaine won an Academy Award for her role in Terms of Endearment and has for decades spoken publicly about reincarnation and past-life regressions. Their exchange on Barrymore's show combined personal reminiscence with discussion of future professional plans, and followed other on-camera conversations in which actors have publicly described spiritual or metaphysical experiences.
The segment offered a mix of personal revelation and lighthearted planning for upcoming projects, as Aniston balanced anecdotes about friendship and loss with talk of potential collaborations and stage ambitions.