Angelina Jolie has detailed why she needed to step back in her career to spend time with her children during her custody battle with ex Brad Pitt.
Appearing on Lorraine on Wednesday, the actress, 45, was asked about stepping back from directing, to which she responded: ‘I’ve been mostly home. But very important years to be home, a certain time in our family I’ve needed to be home.’
The actress has been locked in legal battles with Brad over their kids, Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12, and appeared to allude to her woes when saying she needed to be home more.
Open and honest: Angelina Jolie has detailed why she needed to step back in her career to spend time with her children during her custody battle with ex Brad Pitt
Angelina, who is promoting her latest film Those Who Wish Me Dead which is due for release next week, spoke about her withdrawal from directing and her declaration that she was going to quit acting during an interview in 2014.
On putting her directing work on hold recently, Angelina said: ‘The last few years I haven’t been able to direct. I’ve been home much more…
‘I’ve done a few films, but I’ve been mostly home. But very important years to be home, a certain time in our family I’ve needed to be home…
‘These are the years they’re really growing into adults. I’m happy to be here and make sure I do the best I can.’
Her nearest and dearest: The actress has been locked in legal battles with Brad over their kids, Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12, and appeared to allude to her woes when saying she needed to be home more (Brad and Angelina in 2015)
Hands on: She shares Maddox, 19, Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12, with Brad
Brad and Angelina announced their split in 2016 and were legally divorced in 2019, but things are far from amicable as she has alleged domestic abuse.
They have been at war over their kids for five years, with Brad striving for 50/50 custody with Angelina wanting full physical custody.
Three of her six children – Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, – were adopted, and three with Brad – Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12.
Pained: Brad and Angelina announced their split in 2016 and were legally divorced in 2019, but things are far from amicable as she has alleged domestic abuse
Reaching out: Angelina plays smoke jumper named Hannah, who finds herself tangled up in a deadly situation when she helps a young murder witness
Those Who Wish Me Dead also stars Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little, Aidan Gillen, Medina Senghore, Tyler Perry, Jake Weber and Jon Bernthal.
Angelina plays smoke jumper named Hannah, who finds herself tangled up in a deadly situation when she helps a young murder witness.
Lorraine asked Angelina about her character in being ‘formidable’ but ‘vulnerable’, to which she said: ‘I hope that it is interesting for people coming out of this time…
‘People are still going through difficult times, have had a tough year and it’s about ‘How much can I take? How much have I lost?’…
Co-stars: Medina Senghore appeared alongside Angelina on Lorraine where the Scottish host asked her about her career change from being a lawyer to becoming an actress
‘For anybody who’s been in that moment in life if they just don’t know if they can carry on, it’s an interesting character – to watch that character slowly find the pieces of what helps pull you forward and often it’s that you realise you need to take care of someone else.’
Medina appeared alongside Angelina on Lorraine where the Scottish host asked her about her career change from being a lawyer to becoming an actress
She said: ‘I almost have to pinch myself, sitting here talking to you because there’s a part of my brain that’s like, ‘You should be sitting behind a desk right now, you should be at work’…
‘But yeah, it’s a little knock that kept knocking at my heart and kept getting louder and louder and I’m excited to be on this ride.’
Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV and catch up ITV Hub
Angelina is promoting her latest film Those Who Wish Me Dead, which is due for release next week