Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the fourth-eldest child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has made a significant decision regarding her identity. On May 27, her 18th birthday, Shiloh filed a petition at a Los Angeles court to remove “Pitt” from her hyphenated last name, opting to be known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. This move, which marks a notable step in her coming of age, was managed independently by Shiloh, who hired her own lawyer and financed the legal process herself, as reported by E! News on June 2.
Family Trends – Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is Not the Only One
Shiloh’s decision to change her surname is not an isolated case within the Jolie-Pitt family. Her sister Zahara, 19, also chose to omit their father’s last name. When Zahara joined a sorority at Spelman College last November, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie during the initiation ceremony. Additionally, Angelina and Brad’s youngest daughter, Vivienne, has been credited simply as “Vivienne Jolie” in the playbill for the new Broadway musical The Outsiders, which she co-produced with her mother.
Read More: Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is Growing Up Fast
The Jolie-Pitt Family Dynamics
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt share six children: Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15. Angelina herself had added Pitt to her last name without a hyphen after their marriage in 2014. However, following her 2016 divorce filing, she reverted to her maiden name in 2019 when a judge declared the couple legally single.
Legal Battles and Allegations
The Jolie-Pitt family’s ongoing legal battles have been public and contentious, involving both custody disputes and a separate litigation over their French winery, Château Miraval. In an April 4 court filing related to the winery case, Angelina alleged that Brad had been physically abusive to her and their children, including Shiloh Jolie-Pitt during a 2016 private plane ride. Brad’s representatives have consistently denied these allegations, with a source characterizing Angelina’s claims as part of a pattern of behavior aimed at introducing misleading information whenever legal decisions did not go in her favor.
Read More: At 60, Brad Pitt is ‘Ready to Marry’ First Woman Since Divorce, and You May Recognize Her.
Custody and Identity
The couple’s highly publicized custody battle concluded with a judge granting Brad 50/50 custody of their minor children, despite the extensive history and evidence presented during the trial. Brad’s team continues to refute Angelina’s accusations, with a 2022 statement describing the allegations as harmful rehashes of previously closed investigations by the FBI and DCFS that resulted in no charges.
A Legacy of Name Changes – Shiloh Jolie-Pitt’s Mother
Angelina’s decision to revert to her maiden name in 2019 mirrors a similar change she made in 2002 when she legally dropped her father Jon Voight’s surname in favor of her middle name, Jolie. This move came after years of using Angelina Jolie as her stage name, reflecting her desire to establish her own identity separate from her father’s legacy.
Shiloh’s Path Forward
Shiloh’s choice to follow in her mother’s footsteps by altering her surname underscores a broader narrative of personal agency and the evolving dynamics within the Jolie-Pitt family. As Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, she continues to forge her own path, distinct from the high-profile legacies of her parents.
Read More: Angelina Jolie Says The ‘Best Sex’ She’s Ever Had On Set Was With Denzel Washington
Sources
- “Inside Shiloh’s Decision to Remove Brad Pitt’s Last Name and Keep Angelina Jolie’s” E News. Corinne Heller. June 2, 2024.
- “Jolie and Pitt’s daughter Shiloh seeks name change” BBC. Guy Lambert. June 2024.
- “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Shiloh files to drop ‘Pitt’ from last name” NBC News. Chloe Melas. June 1, 2024.
- “Angelina Jolie’s Child’s Major Change Reveals Where They Really Stand With Brad Pitt” Style Caster. Jenzia Burgos. June 1, 2024.