Several of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s children have begun to distance themselves from their father by dropping “Pitt” from their last names.
This has now gained more attention after their daughter Shiloh debuted her new stage name, “Shi Jolie.” Earlier, his other children, Zahara and Vivienne, had also chosen to go by just “Jolie” in public settings. Zahara introduced herself using only her mother’s surname when she joined Spelman College, while Vivienne appeared as “Vivienne Jolie” in the playbill for the Broadway musical The Outsiders, which she worked on with Angelina as a producer.
Brad Pitt Acknowledgement
Brad Pitt hasn’t publicly addressed Shiloh’s latest name change. He has previously acknowledged to PEOPLE magazine that he’s “aware of the change” and that moments like these serve as painful reminders of his strained relationships with his children, saying he “misses them.”
The problems in the family date back to 2016, when Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt because he had abused one or more of his children. According to people close to the couple, it was a furious dispute that wasn’t handled well, leading to years of emotional and legal problems.
Although none of the kids have openly discussed their motivations, the pattern of distancing points to a desire to establish their own identities separate from their father, perhaps in support of their mother or as a reaction to trauma in the past.
Media outlets have weighed in on the evolving family dynamics. Many express sympathy for the children, while others speculate on how this ongoing separation might influence Brad Pitt’s public image and future relationships.
