Angelina Jolie opens up to Vanity Fair about love, babies, and politics
October 10, 2008 by Sherry
The German version of Vanity Fair magazine has yet another interview with Angelina Jolie for us to enjoy – I love when she takes the time to talk to the good magazines because it’s always so enjoyable to read what she has to say. In this issue she talks about Brad Pitt, her kids, and even gets (gasp!) political. Us Weekly has a few highlights for us to enjoy in case you’re not able to get the German Vanity Fair where you live (they’re hard to find here, but they’re also super expensive!).
On why she could be voting for Barack Obama: “Obama is fighting for international justice, he wants to intervene militarily in genocides abroad, and he wants to close down Guantanamo Bay. They are things which could move me to vote for him, not his roots. Of course, an American president like Barack Obama would be great for my family.”
It’s exactly what she had said in the past, that due to her work with the UNHCR, she was especially interested in hearing what each candidate had to say about work in war-torn third world countries like the ones she continues to help on a constant basis.
More highlights of the Vanity Fair interview with Angelina Jolie below the cut:
I’m particularly happy that she addressed this first one – so many people seem to think she’s anti-American just because she chose to adopt internationally.
On why she’s proud of the USA: “I am very proud of being American, and all my children have got American passports. For me, our family is just what America is – a melting pot, a mixture of many different races and nations. My children should be proud of their Asian and African roots, but that in no way means [is] a lack of respect for the fact that they and their parents are Americans.”
On her twins Knox and Vivienne (3-months-old on Sunday): “It’s a damned arduous business, and we are often simply whacked out because it is twice as hard with two babies as with one. But it also makes for double the fun. After we flew back from Europe, we were all suffering a bit from jetlag. We were all in bed early, but at half past four, they were awake and making a real racket… Brad took care of them. He said to me, ‘Go back to sleep, you’re back to work in the morning,’ and moved into the kids’ room with them. He is an astounding father, full of devotion… [Knox and Vivienne] have quite similar, stable rhythms. Every three hours they get hungry, then I have to satisfy them. But that’s OK, the two of them are totally sweet. When you see them, you think they were made for each other. They laugh together, they sniff each other, touch each other. It is beautiful.”
On struggling to find alone time with Brad: “Sometimes, at the end of the day, we try to retire to the bathroom to be undisturbed,” she says. “But then [the kids] hear the water running and want to come in and, yet again, we are all together. But that doesn’t disturb us because they are great kids.”
On how fame has changed motherhood for her: “I would like to have more freedom, especially to have the chance to be more spontaneous with my kids. Would I like to be able to walk through the streets with my kids? Of course. Would I like to be able to wander around Manhattan and buy them an ice cream like other mothers? Of course. But it is not possible. On the other hand, every morning I wake up with the people who are the most dear to me in the whole world. That’s why I don’t feel isolated from that, which is important to me. It helps, of course, that Brad knows all about it, but he’s experienced it even more than me. We often talk about it and try to make the best of things. But I am very grateful for our life and everything that we have.”
I think this may end up being one of my favorite interviews with her ever!
“But then [the kids] hear the water running and want to come in and, yet again, we are all together. But that doesn’t disturb us because they are great kids.”
Boy do my husband and I know that. Hopefully they actually get to have them moments each day as every couple needs that, no matter how great the kids are.
This is a good statement.
“It helps, of course, that Brad knows all about it, but he’s experienced it even more than me. We often talk about it and try to make the best of things. But I am very grateful for our life and everything that we have.”
someone on jjb posted some images from the upcoming W issue. the images are candid with maybe a few staged ones. angie has a pic with each child. they’re just wonderful pictures, and i have a couple of favorites already. the only thing that maybe disturbs me a bit is maddox’s thumbsucking. i’m not a mother, so, i’m not really sure i should be talking about this, but it just seems he’s old enough to be out of that habit. ah well, they’re the parents. so far, they’re doing a great job raising their children.
hi! just want to sharethis great interview:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20081011-165802/Angelina-Brad-Hard-to-find-quiet-time
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20081009-165573/Angelina-Raising-twins-twice-as-fun
“the only thing that maybe disturbs me a bit is maddox’s thumb sucking”
This made me giggle. I sucked my thumb until I was about 10 or 11. At least he has his thumb in his mouth and not up his nose. hehe.
Angie’s interviews are always so open and honest
she never hold anything back, she is bold. I am so happy that she finally find a good partener in Brad, she deserve happiness, that family is blessed, very blessed. My only wish is that they stay togather, raise their beautiful children
and also grow old togather. Then looking back at how they met we will just smile and say they knew from the start that they were ment for each other.
Just thought I’d share what I just saw on tv… our local San Francisco channel 4 station announced that next week Thursday, 10/16 on the Today Show, Matt Lauer will have Angie on the show for a whole half-hour! I’m definitely taping that show!
The pictures look wonderful. They’re on JJB, but Maddox isn’t sucking his thumb, I believe that’s Pax. I seen him in another picture sucking his thumb.
I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. Nor do I find it disturbing.
oops, yeah, i meant pax’s thumbsucking. sorry about that mix-up.
anyway, like i said, i’m not a mother, so, i don’t know about much about these things.
oops again. i hope i didn’t offend anyone by my comment. i just meant that i’ve no children, so, i’m not quite knowledgeable about raising a child.
Thanks Sherry. I love Angie and her interviews. I just don’t care for celebrities voicing their side in politics. But again, this is a free country to say what you want to say. Now, I can say that I differ in my political view from the Brangie but this does not mean I do not respect them.
I don’t think German Vanity Fair is a reliable magazine. Last year their launching issue reported that Jolie-Pitt bought a luxurious apartment in Berlin and it turned out false.
I read an accurate and long interview with Phillippine Enquirer. The reporter from Phillippine always uses her real words. After compared these two interviews I’m convinced German VF edited her quotes for their advantage.
Lucy, that’s the beauty of Pittwatch – within the context of respecting the Jolie-Pitts and each other, we don’t have to be cookie-cutter people with exactly the same politics, taste in clothes, etc.
No offense taken, Neela. I know adults who suck their thumbs occasionally (e.g., when stressed), and adults who suck their thumbs everyday – they just don’t show it in public, at work, in front of strangers who might not understand.
One theory about thumbsucking is that parents should actively intervene to make sure the child stops at a certain age. Another theory is to be more relaxed about it and the child will stop on her/his own. Maybe there are other theories too.
Phillippine Inquierer
http://showbizandstyle.in…ment/entertainment/view/2 0081011-165802/Angelina-Brad-Hard-to-find-quiet-time
WOOHOO!! A WHOLE HALF HOUR!! Thanks for the heads up, Susie. Are you sure it’s Channel 4, and not Channel 11 out of San Jose? Channel 4 used to be the NBC affiliate for a long time, a few years ago Channel 11 became the NBC affiliate.
the interview is really sweet.
is the half hour interview will be shown in NBC? i’m confused.
Thanks, Ligaya. Those are very interesting theories.
Another great interview for us to enjoy. I always find Angie’s interviews fascinating and there is always something in what she says that I can relate to. This interview is so sweet as she talks a lot about Brad and the kids. Brad really is a great father and a truly loving husband. They are so lucky to have found each other!
Angela,
yes it’s NBC. I will be recording it too. Hope we don’t have to wait hours for it.
can someone put a link up as to where they found the W pictures? Because I can’t seem to find it.
My take on the Angie’s breastfeeding W magazine cover is she wants to use her celebrity status to convey the message that breast milk is still best for babies. Considering the milk scare nowadays due to the melamine content or contamination in most countries, her promoting breastfeeding, is very timely. She also wants to share her experience in the beauty of motherhood in nursing her baby. Love…. Connection…. Tenderness…. Serenity…. Happiness….That it is alright to sacrifice for your baby and still put a smile on your face even if you look tired. Angie is tired but in a very good way. That’s what a mother is…that’s what she wants us to know in a visual way. In spite of her celebrity status and sexy image, she is saying she’s just like any other women who rather prefer to give her children their needs the natural way as much as she can. And what a joy the experience gives her.
Of course, it is expected that this breastfeeding cover would generate mixed reactions, both positive and negative. Obviously, I am on the positive side. When I look at it, I did not find anything wrong with it. I see what we can gain from it. In fact, Brad was very subtle in capturing that beautiful moment. He saw to it that his family is still protected by ensuring that the pose is not gross or vulgar at all. It was certainly done in a very tasteful manner. I can’t imagine how anyone can think of it as disgusting when most magazines do lewd covers. Very hypocritical. I wonder, some people react this way because the one on the cover is Angelina Jolie, when in fact, her W cover is not lewd at all !!! As I have said before, everything she does is being nitpicked, no matter how good her intention is. Some people will always find fault everything about her. That’s their mission in life. And I am sad for them. By the way, how do they react when they see posters in the hospitals or any medical institutions are showing pictures & promoting breast feeding?? Are their sensibilities were offended, too??? Of course not for the simple reason that it’s not Angelina Jolie who is posing. If every time you look at Angie with a dirty mind, it’s not her problem anymore. Maybe she can’t really contain her hotness, is that it?? People, grow up, breastfeeding is a natural activity between a mother & her baby, whether it is done publicly or not. It’s up to you how to do it in a subtle way.
I think the reason why they decide to do this cover is that they want to show the world that they can be also in control of what comes out in the publication. They want to counteract the fabricated things which the tabloids are constantly selling in their magazines at the expense of this admirable couple. The couple deemed it wise to balance the false stories about them by coming up with a very noble idea, that is by promoting breastfeeding and at the same time the love in the JPs family. And I laud them for that.
Thumbsucking no, but I have three children one had a favorite pillow that went everywhere, one had a small blanket that went everywhere and one always wanted to touch their navel. Top that.
I’m really glad to hear that Angie is voting for Obama. I know she doesn’t actually say she is but i’m pretty certain they share more common interests than McCain. And i’m glad she voiced it!
Ligaya, it’s probably channel 11. I do know it’s NBC. No doubt the announcement will be repeated several times as it gets closer to 10/16. I was stunned to hear “a whole half hour”. Wow, so exciting to have even more to look forward to! I did go to JJB and there are lots of great pictures I’ve never seen before, but not the ones from W with the kids. On what page are they on?
welcomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
susie, there are some on page 854 of jjb. however, it doesn’t show the ones of angie with mad and pax.
pg. 851 includes the ones mad and pax.
Neela, I can’t find p. 854. Do you mean comment #854? Under what thread?
also, I agree with sunny, the German Vanity Fair did a poor job translating the interview. this article is much better, and you can tell AJ knows the interviewer.
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20081011-165802/Angelina-Brad-Hard-to-find-quiet-time
I believe that Brad and Angie know that they have a huge fan base and want us to see them as they truly are. By putting out these pictures and these interviews that are so telling they are saying, this is us and how we are. We are not like they try to make us look. This woman has found a man that she truly trusts to put his partner and children above anything else.
OK, found it. Sorry Neela, I was totally on the wrong site.
http://jjb.yuku.com/topic/388602/t/Brad-Angelina-amp-Children-Megapost-PART-6-BABY.html?page=851
I don’t believe the piece in German Vanity Fair is an interview, its her responses to questions at a press conference in New York Ive seem similar quotes on other sites such as the Philipine newspaper and at souliejolie.com. Now i could be wrong
Thank you Neer for your comment! You have expressed exactly what I think and feel and in such an eloquent manner! I totally agree with everything you wrote but I would never have been able to express them the way you have done. I work in a technical field, so writing (except for technical papers) does not come easily to me.
I like the VF interview, but as Sunny & Kay have mentioned, they are edited versions. Whenever Angir has an interview or a press conference, I always check the Philippine Daily Inquirer (not a tabloid). Their LA correspondent, Ruben Nepales always write in his column the whole Q&A, with minimal editing.
Thank Sherry for all your hard work in bringing us the latest on the Jolie-Pitts and to all Pittwatchers, for all your wonderful comments.
Thx Kay for the link:) The pics seem to be very artisctic. Brad is trully tallented. And Angie is more beautiful than ever, if it’s humanly possible:P She looks perfect with the weight that she has now. I so much hope she satys like that. And the hair is the best.
Only words of praise for this family. I love the interview. It’s my all time favourite. The way she talks about brad is just lovely. You cand tell that she is very much in love. And I just love how she speaks about the favourite things of the kids. The bathroom story is so funny:))
neer – That is exactly my thought. Unlike other celebrity, what Angelina does or say, there is an impact. Why they choose a breastfeeding photo is Angelina is not a follower, she is a leader. I think she has become a role model for the younger generation.
Love this interview except for the Obama part. Earlier on, she was for McCain. Cindy McCain’s low-profile hardwork as a humanitarian in Africa&beyond has inspired me and reminds me so much of Angie. I haven’t heard of Michelle Obama’s charitable work in Africa or anywhere- at all. Hollywood is always liberal, though. But anyway, this just shows the variety of Jolie-Pitt fans across party lines
no prob, kay. i guess i should have provided the link. oops.
kay, i apologize for my delayed response, too. i haven’t been online since this morning.
http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE49A00B20081011
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A magazine cover photo of Angelina Jolie breast-feeding one of her newborn twins may have turned the superstar actress into a role model for new mothers.
The photo, taken by Jolie’s partner Brad Pitt, will adorn the November issue of W magazine. Other family pictures taken by Pitt in the weeks after the birth in July of twins Vivienne Marcheline and Leon Knox will appear inside.
“I think it is fabulous. Seeing a celebrity like Angelina Jolie breast-feed can be a role model to encourage women to make a choice that is wonderful for their baby,” said Andi Silverman, mom of two and author of “Mama Knows Breast.”
“Breasts are used to sell all sorts of products, so to see them used the way nature intended can only be a great thing,” Silverman told Reuters.
……Jolie’s global influence as a style-setter and through her humanitarian travels and support of kids in third world countries, ensured the impact of the photo of her special moments with her baby.
“The response from moms we have seen is that if someone as popular, beautiful and together as Angelina is breast-feeding her children, it inspires other women to do so themselves,” said Dr Shannon Fox, a psychotherapist with the http://www.Momlogic.com website.
Little is seen in the picture of the act of breast-feeding. It shows Jolie smiling, while a tiny hand is just visible at bottom of the frame.
La Leche League International, the world’s oldest breast-feeding support organization, said the photo was particularly welcome as Jolie has twins.
“Mothers of twins report it takes a lot of time, effort and physical energy to breast-feed. I think the picture is beautiful,” said La Leche League International spokeswoman Jane Krouse.
======================
http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/story/835433.html
La Leche League International, the world’s oldest breast-feeding support organization, applauds Jolie’s apparent decision to be photographed nursing on the cover of W.
“Breast-feeding in public reveals a whole lot less than what has been revealed on the red carpet. … I think we do need more role models like Angelina Jolie willing to be photographed and say, ‘Hey look, it can be done, it oughta be done,’” La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse said.
Sarahc, my little girl sucks her thumb and touches her navel. I have talked to people about her thumbsucking, she is still a toddler so I am not stressed yet and people say it will either stop or not and that they know some teens who still did. I think at some point I may try to encourage other comforting means but only if I need to. Not stressed about it.
You know Angie’s picture was done tastefully and my husband has taken pictures of my kids suckling and believe me he showed a heck of a lot more than Brad did. I do not think that picture was a message about breastfeeding, I think it was picture of a mum with her child. The child was not even in the picture apart from the beautiful tiny hand. I do not get the fuss. It was a beautiful picture of a woman who looks good with or without makeup. I think she is wearing the People nightie too.
Thanks for the links, Neer.
Mia, it *is* great to see the variety of people who are Jolie Pitt fans.
A lot of people – like Roseanne – misunderstood Angelina’s answer when asked about endorsing either candidate. REAL: she *didn’t endorse* either Obama or McCain. Because of different reasons – people assuming she was a Democrat (she’s an Independent) with liberal views and values, most of Hollywood endorsing Obama, etc. – people thought she would automatically be on the Obama bandwagon. Since she didn’t endorse Obama, people jumped to the conclusion that then she must support McCain. Again, she didn’t endorse either one. She wanted to know their views on some key issues she was concerned about.. IMO, being publicly neutral would be the wise thing to do given her role as a non-partisan UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.