Jennifer Aniston’s ‘Very Protective’ Friends Did Secret Background Check on Boyfriend Jim Curtis (Exclusive)

Jennifer Aniston’s inner circle was initially skeptical of Jim Curtis, the National Enquirer has learned.

First linked this summer, the actress, 56, and the hypnotherapist, 50, made their relationship Instagram official in November.

“Jen’s friends are very protective of not only her privacy and safety, but also of their own privacy and safety,” explains a source. “Anyone who gets super close with her is automatically going to be included in their worlds.”

So pals like Courteney Cox and Jason Bateman secretly did their homework on the NYC-based wellness guru, dishes the source.

“They didn’t tell Jen — she would never condone it — but her friends looked into Jim’s whole background the way they’d do for a potential employee in their home,” spills the source. “They also asked around town about him.”

Fortunately for Curtis, says the source, he passed the test.

“Everyone who they spoke to had great things to say,” shares the source. “Though their recon might sound intrusive, they felt more comfortable afterwards.”

It shows.

Based on Instagram carousels both Aniston and her beau posted, the pair appeared to spend the holidays together surrounded by friends and family.

“He’s really been integrated into her group now,” confirms the source.

Despite two very public divorces, the Morning Show star seems to be all in on Curtis, too.

“He’s quite extraordinary, and helps many, many people,” she raved of the author in a November interview with Elle. “He’s very special, very normal, and very kind, and wants to help people heal, move through their trauma and stagnation into clarity.”