The mess began when Brad's parents arrived in Los Angeles to see their son, not knowing that he was still in India with Angelina while she filmed A Mighty Heart. When Jennifer heard that the Pitts were in town with nowhere to celebrate the holiday, she invited them to her place. Tonya Hart, friend of Aniston's, said, "Jen was just coming to Brad's rescue. His folks bought the tickets ages ago. Jennifer thought she was doing good, but apparently it's whipped up a hornet's nest with Angelina."

Jolie is furious that Aniston is "poking her nose into family matters." An insider says, "She is distraught that the woman who is practically her mother-in-law is continuing to mix with Brad's ex wife." A friend of Brad and Angelina's, Dorothy Krebs says, "Angelina seems to have made a stand and whatever Jane and Bill do, they can't find favor with her." Angelina is even said to have cancelled her Christmas plans with the Pitts in retaliation.