Engagement Rumors for Aniston Swirl, Despite Denials

Aug. 9, 2006 — -- Us Weekly says Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston are engaged, and the magazine is sticking by its story, even though Aniston's camp has issued a quick denial.

"It's just not true," Aniston spokesman Stephen Huvane tells ABCNEWS.com. "Their report is erroneous. They are not engaged."

The announcement set off a small firestorm among celebrity magazines and Web sites, some chuckling that Us will have to back down from its cover story that proclaims "Vince Proposes," while others say they've been engaged for months, and the relationship is actually in trouble.

"We stand by our report," an Us spokeswoman says.

According to the story, which quotes unnamed sources, the 36-year-old "Swingers" star popped the question on July 27, just as the couple was returning from a vacation at Casa Aramara, just north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The couple had just ended a nine-day vacation at the $25 million coastal retreat of "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis.

According to the report, Vaughn presented his 37-year-old girlfriend with an engagement ring from jeweler Suzy Fabrikant that boasts a $500,000 diamond.

A friend of the couple saw them a few days later, dining with friends Courteney Cox and husband David Arquette at Wolfgang Puck's Beverly Hills eatery, Cut, when they supposedly announced the good news, Us reports.

"Vince stood behind Jennifer and put his arm on her shoulder, letting her know that he was there," the source tells the magazine. "You could tell they tried not to be too touchy-feely, but they are obviously happy together."

Despite Aniston's denial, a whirlwind of rumors surrounds the couple, who've hesitated to talk about their relationship.

"This is old news to us," says Life & Style editor in chief Debra Birnbaum. "We reported that they got engaged two months ago."

Earlier in the day, as Us unveiled its cover story, the publicist at Birnbaum's magazine sent out a mass e-mail to reporters saying, "Life & Style Told You First!"