Angelina Jolie, an Oscar-winning actress, has openly acknowledged that she “wouldn’t be an actress” if she were commencing her career in the present-day entertainment industry. Having made her on-screen debut as a child in 1982, Jolie has evolved into one of Hollywood’s most renowned figures. Starring in projects ranging from Girl, Interrupted to Disney’s Maleficent.
In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Jolie expressed that, given the opportunity to start anew, she would choose a different professional path. Citing the heightened expectations and pressures placed on actors in the contemporary era.
Angelina Jolie claims she never had a social life
“I wouldn’t be an actress today,” the 48-year-old affirmed. “When I was starting out, it wasn’t as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much.” Jolie disclosed that her public status in Los Angeles hinders her ability to “really have a social life,” revealing her desire to permanently relocate from Los Angeles to spend more time at her California residence.
“It’s part of what happened after my divorce,” she explained. “I lost the ability to live and travel as freely. Thus I will move when I can. I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity.”
“I think part of this has also been therapeutic for me. To work in a creative space with people you trust and to rediscover yourself,” she said. “I’m hoping to change many aspects of my life. And this is the forward-facing one.” She continued.
Everything seems to lead up to her separation from Brad Pitt
While Jolie did not explicitly state whether departing Los Angeles would mark the end of her acting career, she recently mentioned in British Vogue that she began taking on fewer film projects seven years ago. Coinciding with her separation from Pitt. “I’m only taking jobs that didn’t require long shoots,” she shared. “We had a lot of healing to do. We’re still finding our footing.”
In September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt after two years of marriage and 12 years together. Leading to ongoing legal disputes over custody of their six children and disagreements regarding their various properties. In the WSJ interview, Jolie also revealed that she developed Bell’s palsy, a temporary facial paralysis, due to stress related to the divorce.
Read: Angelina Jolie filed a lawsuit claiming that Brad Pitt physically assaulted her on a private jet
Before making any major moves, Angelina Jolie is determined to conclude her ongoing custody dispute
Despite finalizing their split in 2019, Jolie remains entangled in a legal battle with Pitt for custody of their children. The lingering question on many people’s minds is why Jolie persists in this struggle, and the answer lies in her steadfast belief that it is in the best interest of their children.
Divorce is a challenging process, particularly when children are involved. When Jolie and Pitt’s separation was initially announced in 2016, reports indicated that Jolie sought sole physical custody of the children. Allowing Pitt visitation rights. However, as the custody battle unfolds, it becomes evident that Jolie is not willing to settle for anything less than what she deems suitable for her children.
One potential explanation for Jolie’s continued legal efforts is her apprehension about Pitt’s parenting capabilities. Over the years, reports have emerged suggesting that Pitt has grappled with issues related to anger management and substance abuse. Additionally, Jolie has accused him of domestic abuse. These factors may contribute to her determination to ensure the well-being and safety of their children, prompting her to pursue the custody battle in court.
Illness was on the cards for Angelina Jolie in 2017, but she fought back
The Academy Award winner initially disclosed her Bell’s palsy diagnosis in 2017, amidst a challenging period following her split from the Fight Club star. “My body reacts very strongly to stress,” she explained. “My blood sugar goes up and down. I suddenly had Bell’s palsy six months before my divorce.” Due to the condition, Jolie expressed feeling “terrified” for her upcoming film role as Greek opera singer Maria Callas in the Pablo Larrain-directed biopic Maria.
Sources
- “Angelina Jolie Quitting Acting, Blames Brad Pitt For “Losing The Ability To Live Freely”.” 22 Words. Maurice Cassidy. December 5, 2023
- “Angelina Jolie Talks About Why She Hasn’t Acted Much Since 2016.” Deadline. Bruce Haring. September 28, 2023