Angelina Jolie, despite her global stardom and accomplished career, reveals a deep sense of loneliness in a recent interview. Eight years after her highly publicized split from Brad Pitt, the actress and mother of six admits to struggling with living life on her own. While her children provide a source of love and connection, Jolie confesses to feeling a profound sense of solitude as an adult, identifying with the loneliness experienced by the late opera singer Maria Callas, whom she portrays in a new biopic. This feeling of isolation, she suggests, stems from a restless spirit common among artists, a constant state of flux that prevents them from fully settling and can leave them feeling adrift.
The film, Maria, written by Steven Knight, marks Jolie’s return to the screen after a three-year hiatus. Her portrayal of Callas has already earned her a Golden Globe nomination, and Jolie speaks of the role as a form of therapy, helping her to process her own grief and loss. She alludes to a past hurt, possibly linking it to her mother’s death in 2007 and the tumultuous aftermath of her separation from Pitt. The emotional turmoil of Callas resonates deeply with Jolie, who claims to have channeled her own pain and grief into the performance. The ongoing legal battle with Pitt over their French vineyard continues to be a source of contention, adding another layer of complexity to her emotional landscape.
Jolie’s current situation contrasts sharply with Pitt’s, who has been seen with several women and appears to have found new love with Ines de Ramon. While Pitt seemingly moves on, Jolie has not been publicly linked to a new partner, instead dedicating her time to raising her six children. This marks the longest period in her adult life without a significant other, having transitioned quickly between her previous marriages to Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton before her decade-long relationship with Pitt. This shift in focus, prioritizing her children over romantic relationships, represents a significant change in Jolie’s life.
The role of Maria Callas offers a powerful parallel to Jolie’s own life. Both women have battled addiction, faced public scrutiny over their weight, and endured highly publicized breakups. Callas’s tumultuous affair with Aristotle Onassis, culminating in a heartbreaking betrayal when he married Jackie Kennedy, mirrors the emotional upheaval Jolie experienced during her separation from Pitt. Jolie’s identification with Callas’s loneliness, drug dependency, and public image struggles further underscores the personal connection she feels to the opera singer.
Jolie’s own past struggles with drug use, including heroin, add another dimension to her understanding of Callas’s addiction. The film portrays Callas’s dependence on narcotics as a means of escaping her pain, a theme that resonates with Jolie’s own experiences. The parallels between the two women extend to their physical struggles, as both have faced public scrutiny and speculation regarding their weight. Jolie’s recent weight loss has fueled concern, mirroring Callas’s own lifelong battle with her weight and the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards.
As Jolie prepares for the impending court battle with Pitt over the Chateau Miraval vineyard, she faces this challenge with her children by her side. While she acknowledges feeling alone, her children offer a source of support and connection. Her recent appearances with her children, including Pax, Zahara, Vivienne, and Knox, highlight her dedication to her family. This stands in contrast to reports of strained relationships between Pitt and his older children, further emphasizing the different paths the former couple have taken since their separation. As Jolie navigates this new chapter, balancing her resurgent career with the demands of motherhood and the ongoing legal battle, she embodies a complex portrait of strength and vulnerability.
