Angelina Jolie recently shared a poignant moment of connection with one of her daughters, sparked by the Broadway musical Wicked. Speaking with Cynthia Erivo during Variety’s Actors on Actors series, Jolie revealed how the Act 1-ending number Defying Gravity had a profound impact on her daughter — and on her as a mother.
A Moment of Endless Possibility
Jolie recounted the scene’s emotional resonance. “I remember my daughter when she watched Defying Gravity, and I remember that moment, because as a mom, sometimes we watch things and we want art to have an influence,” she explained.
In the moment, Jolie noticed her daughter’s connection to the performance, feeling that it awakened a sense of possibility and untapped potential within her. “She’s feeling this desire to know that there’s endless possibility and something within her that she hasn’t discovered yet,” Jolie reflected.
The actress also expressed her admiration for live theater, calling it “wonderful,” and praised Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked film, for her ability to translate the magic of the stage to the screen.
Family Reflections on Art and Growth
Jolie, mother to six children—Maddox (23), Pax (20), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16)—often finds herself reflecting on her career and personal growth through her kids.
In an interview with FOX 5 DC, Jolie shared that her children occasionally watch her older films, offering her an unexpected perspective. “They’ll tell me they watched something [from] when I was younger,” she said. “That will remind me of a time or I’ll understand how…because they know me now. There’s something interesting about that.”
Art’s Impact Across Generations
Jolie’s stories highlight the power of art not just as entertainment but as a medium for self-discovery and generational connection. Whether through the magic of a live theater production or the rediscovery of her film career, Jolie sees art as a bridge between her own past and her children’s present, inspiring conversations about growth, identity, and creativity.
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