Hollywood's Not-So-Shiny Side: Angelina Jolie's Critique
After amassing a successful Hollywood career, Angelina Jolie (48) looks back with a critical eye. In an interview with the "Wall Street Journal", she admitted that she may not have chosen acting as a career today.
Jolie Never Felt Hollywood's Allure
Growing up surrounded by Hollywood, with parents who were actors, Jolie never felt drawn to the industry. In her own words, she never saw Hollywood as "meaningful or important." Instead, she felt that Hollywood was "Not a healthy place."
Post-Brad Pitt, Seeking Less Public Life
Divorce from Brad Pitt in 2019 left Jolie yearning for a less public life. Paparazzi persistently stalked her, and she missed the freedom of traveling without constant scrutiny. She now hopes to spend more time in asylum at her home in Cambodia.
A Decade of Not Being Herself
Since her separation from Pitt, Jolie has reduced her film appearances, opting for roles with limited shooting commitments. Healing from her past, she shared, was an ongoing process. Divulging her current state, she confessed that "I don't feel like I've been myself for a decade."
Insights:
- Hollywood's Impersonal Nature: Jolie's early realization that Hollywood wasn't meaningful or important reflects her distaste for the industry's impersonal nature.
- Emotional Scars: Jolie's struggle with feeling like herself for years after her divorce indicates emotional scars yet to heal.
Resources:
In her interview with the “Wall Street Journal”, Angelina Jolie admitted that she might not embrace acting as a career if she were starting afresh, given her experiences in Hollywood. While growing up in a Hollywood environment with actor parents, Jolie felt unfazed by the industry and its significance. This sentiment mirrors her stance that Hollywood is not a nurturing environment but instead one that lacks compassion and meaning.
After her separation from Brad Pitt, Jolie craved a life beyond the Hollywood spotlight. The constant media attention and lack of privacy have left her yearning for a more personal and private life, most notably in her asylum in Cambodia.
Divulging the aftermath of her divorce, Jolie shared that she needed time to heal and rediscover herself. With a considerable gap in her filmography, it became apparent that Jolie wished to prioritize her personal well-being over professional obligations. Her admittance to feeling "not like herself for a decade" underscores the emotional toll she has endured throughout her journey in Hollywood.
Sources:
- Berns, S. (2021, June 22). Angelina Jolie, 'Unbroken' Star and Activist, Is Leaving Hollywood to Focus on Her Family. [https://www.usnews.com/entertainment/movies/articles/2021-06-22/angelina-jolie-unbroken-star-and-activist-is-leaving-hollywood-to-focus-on-her-family]
- Parker, H. (2021, September 22). Angelina Jolie: I’m Healing and Still Have a Lot of Healing to Do. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from
- Murdoch, P. (2014, October 27). Angelina Jolie’s Oscars-Nominated Role Brings Her Mother Back to Life. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from
- Young, R. (2019, September 27). Angelina Jolie opens up for first time since Brad Pitt split. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from
