In a surprising revelation, fans discovered that their beloved Friends duo, Ross and Rachel, had genuine feelings for each other off-screen. This fascinating insight was shared during the highly anticipated HBO Max reunion special, where both Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer opened up about their past crushes.
During the reunion, Schwimmer candidly stated, “Yeah, the first season we—I had a major crush on Jen.” Aniston quickly responded, “It was reciprocated,” confirming that their feelings were mutual, adding an exciting layer to their on-screen chemistry.
So why didn’t these iconic characters, portrayed by their real-life counterparts, ever take their relationship to the next level? What held them back from becoming a couple in real life?
Schwimmer reflected, “At some point, we were both crushing hard on each other,” explaining that it felt like “two ships passing” since one of them was always in a relationship. They maintained a respectful distance, never crossing that boundary, despite their strong feelings. However, they both seemed to wonder what could have been.
Matt LeBlanc humorously interrupted the conversation, quipping, “Bulls–t. I’m kidding,” while playfully suggesting that the co-stars may have displayed some subtle public displays of affection (PDA) while filming.
Aniston revealed her thoughts about their first kiss, saying, “Honestly, I remember saying one time to David, ‘It’s going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television.'” She noted with a hint of nostalgia that their first on-screen kiss occurred in the iconic coffee shop setting.
Despite the absence of a romantic relationship, the pair cherished their time together on set. Schwimmer reminisced, “I thought back on the very first year or two, you know, when we had breaks from rehearsal, like, there were moments where we would cuddle on the couch.” Aniston chimed in, adding, “Or we would spoon and fall asleep on the couch,” revealing the warmth of their friendship.
In a moment of realization, Schwimmer mused, “I’m thinking, how did not everyone know we were crushing on each other?” His reflection highlights the undeniable chemistry that fans sensed but perhaps never fully understood.
