The air in the interview room crackled with an undeniable energy – a potent mix of anticipation, excitement, and a healthy dose of trepidation. Each of us, a diverse group of bloggers from various corners of the globe, sat poised, silently rehearsing our questions, perhaps discreetly checking for any stray food between our teeth, as we awaited the arrival of one of Hollywood’s most enigmatic and revered stars.
For me, a blogger hailing from Spokane, the gravity of the moment felt particularly surreal. I couldn’t help but wonder: Would Angelina Jolie be approachable? Would she truly open up to a group like ours? The entire experience felt like an out-of-body dream, a testament to the unexpected paths life can lead us down. It was a vivid reminder that sometimes, just sometimes, the most extraordinary dreams truly do come to fruition.
An Unforgettable Encounter: Angelina Jolie on Maleficent, Motherhood, and Making a Difference
The moment we received confirmation that Angelina Jolie was about to enter the room, a collective hush fell, followed by a flurry of subtle adjustments – a straightening of postures, a quick intake of breath. The atmosphere was electric, bordering on the reverent, as we waited with bated breath for her arrival. And then, she walked in.
What unfolded next transcended all expectations. Angelina Jolie greeted us with a radiant, sweet smile, her arms open in a gesture of genuine welcome. Throughout our conversation, she exuded an air of remarkable warmth, authenticity, and honesty. She was not just a superstar; she was real, relatable, and incredibly engaging. I am beyond thrilled to share the profound insights and personal reflections from this unforgettable interview, offering a glimpse into the mind and heart of a true icon.
Our interview commenced with a pivotal question: What life experiences had prepared her for the complex and challenging role of Maleficent? What was it that drew her to this particular Disney family film?
Angelina revealed that the script for Maleficent resonated deeply with her, not just as an actress, but profoundly as a woman and a mother. She spoke compellingly about the universal human experience of building walls, of becoming “darker” or guarded, and losing touch with the softer, innate self one is born to be. She explored the poignant question of what truly has the power to bring you back to your authentic self after those protective walls have been erected. Intriguingly, she shared that the very force that guided her back to the person she aspired to be mirrored the core theme of transformation and redemption within Maleficent’s narrative. This personal connection imbued her portrayal with incredible depth and vulnerability.
But I was also really moved by it because I thought of myself as a little girl, and I thought of all the kids I know, and I just think of that-that thing of feeling, ah, it, feeling different, feeling outside, and also as a woman, feeling abused and this ideal if you’ve ever been abused and then you kind of, as a woman, put your, put this wall up.
And you become darker and you’re not able to be this soft person that you were born to be. And then what could possibly ever bring you back? And the, however much we can say, but the thing that brings her back is very much the thing that brought me back. And so, I was very, very connected to it. ~Angelina Jolie
Angelina further elaborated on the immense significance of motherhood in her life and how this role profoundly influenced her connection to Maleficent. She emphasized that this truly felt like a family film for her, right from its inception. Her own brother was so convinced of her perfect fit for the part that he called her as soon as he heard the movie was in development, urging her to contact Disney. This deeply personal resonance extended to her family’s direct involvement, with her and Brad Pitt’s daughter, Vivienne, playing a role in the film. Their children were often on set daily, creating many memorable and sometimes humorous moments.
In her quest to find the perfect, distinctive voice for Maleficent, Angelina often practiced while giving her children baths. This informal setting led to some incredibly honest feedback from her toughest critics. Her kids were unreserved in telling her which voices made them laugh and which ones made them cringe. As she recounted stories during bath time, there were even instances where they asked her to stop, expressing their dislike for a particular vocalization. However, when she finally adopted the voice that would become iconic in Maleficent, her children couldn’t stop laughing. It was in those moments of shared joy and candid critique that she knew she had discovered the voice that was not only effective and engaging but also universally fun for audiences of all ages.
When asked about seeing herself in the complete Maleficent costume for the first time, Angelina expressed immense satisfaction with the final look. Her involvement in the film extended far beyond her remarkable acting; she was an integral part of the costume creation and overall character design process. Angelina actively contributed to every detail, from the unique colored contacts she wore to the intricate costume designs. She shared that at one point, they explored a more feathery, bird-like approach for the costumes, but ultimately decided it wasn’t quite right. The creative team concluded that Maleficent needed to perform deeply emotional and real scenes, and her appearance couldn’t be solely dependent on elaborate makeup. The conviction was that the true soul of the character had to shine through, unhindered by excessive adornment, allowing her formidable presence to convey the story.
The Maleficent costume itself was a masterpiece, so impactful that children on set would often react with fear or anger upon seeing Angelina in full regalia. Towering over seven feet tall in the costume, her presence was undeniably imposing. This posed a unique challenge: finding a child actor who wouldn’t be terrified. The team soon realized that the most logical and least frightening option would be her own daughter, Vivienne. Angelina spoke candidly about the careful consideration she and Brad had to undertake, ensuring that involving Vivienne was the right decision for their daughter as parents, prioritizing her well-being and comfort on such an intense set.
Words struggle to convey the sheer excitement, brightness, and pure joy that illuminated Angelina’s face when she recounted the experience of filming scenes with her daughter. Witnessing her speak about those moments was honestly magical, a rare and touching glimpse into her private world. It was profoundly evident that this was more than just a movie; it was a cherished family event that they would undoubtedly hold dear for years to come.
Angelina shared a delightful anecdote about Vivienne’s very natural, four-year-old approach to acting. On the day of filming, Vivienne, with typical childish spontaneity, simply decided it wasn’t the day she felt like chasing a tennis ball and performing for the cameras. Angelina recalled that the outtakes from that particular day are hilariously funny, and she eagerly anticipates seeing them again. She painted a vivid picture of Brad – yes, Brad Pitt himself – at the edge of a cliff area, dancing and playfully trying to coax Vivienne into jumping into his arms. Meanwhile, Angelina, holding a stick with a blue ball attached, meant to represent a butterfly, ran along, also attempting to encourage Vivienne to play her part. It was a charming chaos that highlighted the genuine family atmosphere on set.
With a soft smile gracing her lips and a look of pure happiness in her eyes, Angelina succinctly encapsulated the memory: “It was lovely, It was lovely to do it.”
Did I adequately convey the profound humility and graciousness Angelina displayed throughout our entire interview? She repeatedly praised the entire team behind Maleficent, emphasizing how everyone collaborated seamlessly to achieve a fantastic outcome. She spoke of the film crew not as individuals but as a cohesive, dedicated team. It was abundantly clear from her comments how intimately involved she was in every aspect of the movie’s creation and how much genuine love she held for the project. There was absolutely no trace of ego in her remarks; she was truly appreciative and respectful of every single cast and crew member who united to bring Maleficent to life.
When asked the challenging question of how she manages to juggle her demanding roles as a mother of six, a prominent humanitarian, and a celebrated actress, Angelina’s response was, once again, remarkably humble and grounded. She spoke candidly about the unwavering support she receives from Brad, how they strategically take turns working, and how meticulously she structures her schedule around the needs and activities of her children. This dedication underscores her priority as a mother, despite her global responsibilities.
Well I don’t, you know, I, you all know as moms, I’m at a very lucky position. I have a supportive, ah, partner and he and I are able to take turns working often. So, and when you make a film, it doesn’t take all year around. When I direct it does, but I get to decide when I leave in the morning and when I come home at night, and I can edit in my bedroom, and sometimes, and would be there in case there’s an emergency with the children. So I have a very rare luxury with my job to be able to have my kids with me on set every day and home school, and, um, other mothers have it much harder than I do, and don’t have the means to have the assistance I do.
I don’t feel like I, by any means, do anything exceptional. My mom was a single mom and she had a lot of difficulty and she gave up her dreams to make sure she could take me to my auditions and support me. And nobody acknowledged her for what she did, you know, so that was hard. But, you know, my-mine’s not too bad at all. I can’t complain.
One of the most unexpected yet profoundly honest moments during our interview was when Angelina opened up about what she considered a “bad parenting” decision regarding her children’s initial encounter with her Maleficent costume. We had asked, “What did your kids think the first time they saw you in full costume?” Her answer was as refreshing as it was insightful.
Angelina~ They, well some of, it was, I realized it was a bad idea, it was bad parenting on my part that I should have brought them in early and have them watch me get in my makeup. But I thought it would be really fun to surprise them. And they came on and they did, some of them were fine, they just got a little, you know, quiet. And-and one, Pax, ran away from me. And I made the mistake of thinking he was playing a game and I chased after him. And then realized he was upset.
And so, he had to come in the makeup trailer and watch me take everything off. Um, it was interesting because we wondered, we actually wondered about Maleficent, we talked with Disney, like why is she considered the most evil? I mean, obviously what she does, but what is it about children that they see her, and I think that’s what happened to my children. It was that because it’s a woman, and an older woman, its mom. And to my kids it was that a woman that should be like nurturing, the figure that should be nurturing was now the figure that was slightly terrifying.
And on top of my kids, the mom had disappeared and they were really wanting to know where mom went. But-but I do, I think that’s actually what’s-why it’s so, why she’s particularly disturbing for children. Why it maybe children will embrace her, because it does feel that you should be safe with an older woman, you know.
There was a specific moment during the interview when my eyes welled up with tears, listening intently as Angelina spoke. Her remarkable candor and raw honesty truly touched many of us in the room, forging a deep connection that transcended the typical celebrity interview format. Her ability to articulate profound truths with such sincerity was truly moving.
The conversation then shifted to a deeply impactful question: “How can a regular mom, who doesn’t have all the resources you do, start small in our own community and do good for others?” Angelina’s response was not just inspiring but incredibly practical and empowering, highlighting the inherent strength and influence of mothers globally.
Angelina~ Well I think the, you know, first of every mom, the most important thing we do is we raise our children with love and compassion to become great people and thoughtful of others and that’s the most important thing. If everybody did just that, we’d have a very different world.
And encourage our children’s education and help them to be conscious of the world around them. I think mothers have the most powerful role. There was even examples of Taliban fighters who stopped because their mothers stopped them. Because the mothers became educated. They couldn’t stop the men, but they, educate the mothers and the mothers got them back home.
So the mother’s a powerful thing. I think beyond that it is everybody know it, especially with being online, there is so much to connect to and there is so much that can be done. And-and it is, as you see now with the situation with the Nigerian girls, that’s not government, that’s the masses speaking out. And pushing for government change. And so it’s sometimes doesn’t feel like every voice counts, but it really does.
There’s a conference in June I’d love you to be aware of that I’m doing, the Foreign Secretary of England, June tenth to the thirteenth. PSBI, it’s the largest summit ever to end sexual violence in conflict. And it’s in England, it’s open to the public. We’ve realized that it can’t, it’s not just governments, and it’s not just NGO’s, and it’s not just, it’s the, everybody has to come together. So NATO will be there, peace keepers will be there, governments will be there, and it’s open to the public, and NGO’s, and victims, and doctors will be there. So everybody together will spend four days. I think that’s what these things take, it takes all of us very tightly working together.
Interviewing Angelina Jolie was an experience that transcended the ordinary – it was amazing, profoundly inspirational, felt utterly surreal, and so much more. She truly embodies beauty, both within her radiant spirit and her striking exterior. This candid conversation remains one of the absolute highlights of what was an already incredible trip to Los Angeles.
Disney meticulously organized this entire trip, and once again, they exceeded all expectations with the extraordinary opportunities they arranged for us. I eagerly look forward to sharing further insights with you in the upcoming weeks, including our exclusive interviews with the talented Elle Fanning, who portrays Aurora; Sharlto Copley, cast as King Stefan; and Sam Riley, who brings Diaval to life. We also had the privilege of sitting down with the visionary Director Robert Stromberg, promising even more behind-the-scenes revelations about the making of Maleficent.
Mark your calendars! Maleficent opens in theaters nationwide on May 30th!
MALEFICENT is rated PG and makes its grand debut in theaters everywhere on May 30th!
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Disclaimer: Disney provided flight and hotel accommodations for this exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie in Los Angeles.