Aniston Joins the Guys

The man of the year is a woman?

By Karen Thomas, USA TODAY
Found here

For the first time in 10 years, GQ magazine is featuring a woman on one of three covers of the annual Men of the Year issue. That woman: Jennifer Aniston. (Related story: Aniston remains our favorite Friend)

Actor Vince Vaughn and rapper 50 Cent also are sharing GQ's 2005 honor. The covers will be distributed to subscribers randomly, and all three will be sold on newsstands Nov. 22.

In 2003, GQ started featuring women in the issue, but "we wanted to choose the one woman who we find most compelling," says articles editor Mark Healy. The decision to run topless photos of her, he says, was between the photographer and Aniston.

In what GQ is billing as its first ever Woman of the Year, the nomination is "an honor" for Aniston, says her spokesman, Stephen Huvane. The actress was "inspired" by photographer Peggy Sirota, he says. "Jennifer has always been interested in creating images that are inspired and different from what you may have seen before."

Aniston, 36, earned the 2005 title, Healy says, because she "exhibited a lot of poise, unbelievable amount of grace and good humor this year."

She tells GQ, "Look, I'm not de{filig}ned by this relationship (with Brad Pitt). I wasn't when I was in it, and I don't want to be in the aftermath of it."

Ever since the former Friends star announced the end of her marriage in January and endured weekly tabloid attention, she "showed the best of herself," Healy says.

And Aniston is "ending 2005 really strongly with good performances" in films that make her a worthy man of the year. Derailed, which opened in third place last weekend, is a departure for the actress, who usually is cast in romantic comedies.

The appeal of the other men of the year, according to Healy:

•Vince Vaughn. With the summer's movie hit, Wedding Crashers, Vaughn, 35, nailed the honor. "Once again, he was hilarious, charming and smart." Editors do recognize that there are more well-known stars, "but there's not one who better represents who our (readers) think is cool than Vince," recently photographed enjoying a weekend in Chicago with Aniston.

•50 Cent. That the 30-year-old rapper has the year's top-selling album, a best-selling autobiography and a new video game is just the start of his appeal. Now, he is crossing over into movies with the just-opened Get Rich or Die Tryin'. "He's one of those public figures we're endlessly fascinated by."

Healy "can't say" whether a female MOTY will become a regular part of GQ's annual issue. "Sometimes, when you think someone is as deserving as (Aniston), then you make room."

Now let's find the cover with Vince on it! I can't wait until the 22nd! Thanks, Lindsay for finding all three covers! :)

Posted by Christine at November 14, 2005 9:25 PM