Jennifer Aniston

“It’s taken me this long to know what I’m capable of. I didn’t always know.”

Looking back on all seven of my InStyle covers is almost like leafing through a yearbook. It’s surreal and cool to have these little memory markers of your career. I pretty much grew up in this business in front of everyone, and listen, puberty is awkward—just try and do it all publicly.

When Friends began [in 1994], we were all so wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. We couldn’t believe what was happening, and we had no idea what was coming. On Instagram, Courteney [Cox] recently posted an old photo of all of us on a jet together before the show had even aired. I just remember not understanding that this was my life. The level of gratitude, my god.

My first cover was in 1996. Being on the cover of a magazine was a big deal for me—it was all so new and exciting. I never dreamed it would actually happen. I remember my hair was short and styled to look wet that day. I’m proud of that hair legacy. I had goals, girl! [laughs] But it took me some time to get comfortable in front of the camera. That first shoot was at my house, so that helped. I remember posing and thinking, “God, I’ve got to learn how to do this.” It didn’t come naturally to me because it was so out of my norm. But, boy, was it cool to see the actual magazine and hold it in my hand.