In a surprising move, Angelina Jolie’s daughter, Vivienne, has dropped her father Brad Pitt’s last name. Listed simply as “Vivienne Jolie” in the Broadway playbill for The Outsiders, this decision has sparked speculation about the dynamics within the Jolie-Pitt family.
Vivienne, 15, hasn’t confirmed if she’s legally changed her name from “Vivienne Jolie-Pitt,” which is her birth name. However, this isn’t the first instance of a Jolie-Pitt child dropping “Pitt” from their surname. In 2023, Zahara also did the same when she introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” during her induction into Spelman College’s Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Working with Mom on The Outsiders
Vivienne and Angelina Jolie have been working closely over the past year to bring The Outsiders to Broadway. Vivienne has been her mother’s volunteer assistant since the summer of 2023, supporting Angelina in her role as the lead producer for the musical adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s classic novel. Angelina credited Vivienne with introducing her to The Outsiders after they saw it at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.
In an August 9, 2023, announcement about her participation, Angelina expressed pride in her daughter, saying, “Viv reminds me of my mother [Marcheline Bertrand] in that she isn’t focused on being the center of attention but in being a support to other creatives. She’s very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.”
Vivienne showed her support by attending The Outsiders’ opening night on Broadway on April 12. She also cheered on her mom during a May 13 appearance on NBC’s Today, smiling as Angelina shared how Vivienne broke the news about the play’s 12 Tony nominations: “I woke up, my daughter was sitting on my bed and she told me.”
Strained Relations with Brad Pitt
The Jolie-Pitt children’s relationship with their father has been strained since Angelina filed for divorce in 2016 and was granted full custody of their children. Although Brad, 60, has since been granted more visitation time, the children, now teenagers and young adults, seem to have formed stronger bonds with their mother.
Angelina’s eldest son, Maddox, began studying biochemistry at Yonsei University in Seoul in 2019. Since then, he has worked on his mom’s movies as a director’s assistant.
Meanwhile, Pax, now 20, allegedly posted a scathing Instagram rant against Brad in 2020, which was leaked in November 2023. In the Father’s Day post from a private account, Pax called Brad a “world class a–hole” and a “terrible and despicable person.” He accused his father of lacking empathy towards his younger siblings, adding, “You have made the lives of those closest to me a constant hell. You may tell yourself and the world whatever you want, but the truth will come to light someday. So, happy Father’s Day, you f–king awful human being!!!”
Family Dynamics in the Spotlight
As the Jolie-Pitt children grow up, their decisions, like dropping their father’s last name, continue to capture public attention. Vivienne’s choice to be listed as “Vivienne Jolie” could signal a desire to distance herself from the public association with her father, further highlighting the ongoing familial tensions.
The Jolie-Pitt family’s high-profile drama remains a topic of fascination for fans and the media alike, with every new development shedding light on the complexities of their relationships.
