BTN News: In a significant move, Shiloh Jolie, the 18-year-old daughter of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has officially changed her name, shedding the ‘Pitt’ part of her surname. This decision, approved by a judge on August 19, 2024, reflects her desire to distance herself legally from her father, a decision that has garnered widespread attention. Shiloh, who was born Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, now goes by Shiloh Jolie, marking a decisive step in her journey to assert her independence amid a tumultuous family history.
The name change came after Shiloh, who turned 18 on May 27, 2024, petitioned the Los Angeles County court to legally drop her father’s surname. Her decision reportedly stems from “painful events” in her life, as her attorney explained when the news broke. This move highlights the ongoing and complex issues within the Jolie-Pitt family, particularly in light of the unresolved and highly publicized divorce and custody battle between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, which has been dragging on since their separation in 2016.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once one of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples, married in 2014 after years of being together. However, their marriage quickly unraveled, with Jolie filing for divorce just two years later, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The divorce proceedings have since become one of the most protracted and bitter in Hollywood, with accusations of abuse, substance use, and control issues levied by Jolie against Pitt. The couple’s six children, including Shiloh, have been caught in the middle of this contentious split, with Jolie seeking full custody of them.
Shiloh’s decision to drop her father’s surname isn’t an isolated incident within the Jolie-Pitt family. She joins three of her siblings who have also distanced themselves from Pitt, either legally or symbolically. The youngest, Vivienne, who is still a minor, made headlines in May 2024 when she removed the ‘Pitt’ name from the playbills of the Broadway musical The Outsiders, where she worked as an assistant. This act, while symbolic, echoed the sentiments of her older siblings and underscored the rift within the family.
The tensions between Jolie and Pitt have been brewing for years, with their split punctuated by a series of allegations and legal battles. One of the most harrowing claims revolves around an incident on a private jet in September 2016, where Pitt allegedly became violent with their son, Maddox. This event was reportedly the tipping point for Jolie, leading her to immediately end the marriage. Earlier this year, Jolie’s legal team further claimed that Pitt’s abusive behavior towards her began long before that infamous flight, suggesting a deeper, more troubling pattern within the relationship.
As Shiloh moves forward with her life under the name Shiloh Jolie, her father’s presence has notably diminished. Reports suggest that Pitt has minimal contact with his adult children and that his interactions with the younger ones have been increasingly sparse due to his demanding film schedule. According to sources close to the actor, Pitt is deeply troubled by the growing estrangement from his children. A source revealed to People magazine that the actor is aware of his children’s decisions and is “very upset” by the situation. “It’s not easy for Brad to accept that he’s lost his children. He loves them and misses them dearly. It’s incredibly sad,” the source added.
Shiloh’s choice to officially remove ‘Pitt’ from her name is a poignant reflection of the strained dynamics within the Jolie-Pitt family. While this legal change marks a new chapter for Shiloh, it also underscores the deep emotional scars left by the ongoing conflict between her parents. The public’s focus now shifts to how this decision will impact the future relationships within the family, particularly between Pitt and his children. As Shiloh steps into adulthood, her decision serves as a powerful statement of independence and a desire to define her own identity, separate from the shadows of her parents’ troubled past.
