It’s been a living nightmare for the past eight months for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-stars fell in love on the sets of their movie. After a total of twelves years together, with the last two being husband and wife, the two are now embroiled in a legal custody battle of their six children.
When news of Angelina Jolie divorcing Brad Pitt first hit the headlines, fans were in disbelief. Their picture-perfect life together looked like it could last an eternity. After they separated, with Jolie having temporary full custody of the children, Brad Pitt went into literal hibernation. Accusations from both the A-list stars’ camps were hurled at the other, with fans once again finding themselves taking sides. This is the first time that Brad Pitt has opened up to show his side to this first fairytale with a sad ending. Though the estranged couple have patched up to the point of not insulting each other in public through the media, they are far from reconciling as the divorce proceedings continue.
In an exclusive interview with GQ Style as their Summer 2017 cover star, Brad Pitt laid bare his heart and soul. “You know, I just started therapy. I love it. I love it. I went through two therapists to get the right one.”
According to media reports, an altercation took place on a private jet that was carrying the whole Jolie-Pitt brood. Jolie’s eldest son, Maddox and Pitt did not get along, but things took a violent turn which allegedly caused Jolie to file for divorce. There was even an FBI investigation carried out, that ended with no charges being filed. “I was really on my back and chained to a system when Child Services was called. After that, we’ve been able to work together to sort this out. We’re both doing our best. I heard one lawyer say, ‘No one wins in court – it’s just a matter of who gets hurt worst.’ And it seems to be true. You spend a year just focused on building a case to prove your point and why you’re right and why they’re wrong, and it’s just an investment in vitriolic hatred. I just refuse. And fortunately my partner in this agrees. It’s just very, very jarring for the kids, to suddenly have their family ripped apart.”
Brad Pitt couldn’t take living alone in the family’s Hollywood Hills home. He says, “This house was always chaotic and crazy. Voices and bangs coming from everywhere, and then, as you see, there are days like this: very, very solemn.” Instead, he took to “squatting” in his friend’s house, the sculptor, Thomas Houseago. The actor even took up learning to sculpt with different objects to divert his mind from his personal life. “You know, I surprise myself. But it’s a very, very lonely occupation.”
So what has he learnt since his split from Angelina Jolie? “I need to be more accessible. At least to the ones I really love.”
