An op-ed questioning why and how Brad Pitt has managed to escape cancel culture, despite accusations of abuse from his ex-wife Angelina Jolie, has divided social media, with many users continuing to defend the actor.
The piece, published in Slate and written by Scaachi Koul, examines why Brad continues to be synonymous with the term “Hollywood heartthrob” and why he works as an actor and producer eight years after allegedly injuring Angelina and two of their children during a private flight.
“The crux of the matter is mortifyingly simple: It’s painful for an audience to let go of a beloved cultural icon. Could someone this hot, this talented, and this charming be responsible for real harm?” Koul writes.
Support for Brad Pitt Amid Allegations
A group of people is expressing support for Brad Pitt following an op-ed that discusses how the actor has kept his reputation “intact” amid his legal battle against Angelina Jolie.
Image credits: Dave Benett/Getty
A court filing by Angelina, submitted as a cross-complaint against Brad in 2022, claims that during a private flight from France to California in September 2016—days before she filed for divorce—the actor yelled at her, grabbed her by her head, shook her, and pushed her into a wall.
According to the court document, Brad accused her of being “too deferential” to their children. He also allegedly poured alcohol on Angelina and the children and “choked” and “struck” two of them when they tried to defend their mother.
The Incident on the Private Flight
A source close to Brad claimed at the time that “the confrontation was spiraling out of control” but that “no one was physically harmed.”
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After conducting a review of the circumstances at the time, the FBI and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services closed the investigation without filing charges.
Six years later, in February 2022, the actor sued Angelina for selling her shares of a French winery they once owned together, claiming she did so without his approval.
Angelina’s lawyers brought up the 2016 plane allegations in a response filed in October 2022, claiming Brad refused to buy her interests unless she signed an NDA designed to “force her silence about his abuse and cover-up.”
Public Perception and Media Influence
Scaachi Koul tracks Brad Pitt’s four-decade Hollywood career, his famous relationships, and the harrowing allegations to reveal why so many people refuse to question his narrative. “To challenge Pitt’s narrative is to confront our own complicity as an audience,” she writes.
The actress had decided not to press charges in 2016 because “she believed the best course was for Pitt to accept responsibility and help the family recover from the post-traumatic stress he caused,” according to court documents.
Her filing further states that the FBI agent who investigated the incident had concluded that the government had probable cause to charge Pitt with a federal crime for his conduct on that day.
Domestic Violence Expert Opinions
Bored Panda consulted Dr. CarolAnn Peterson, author of Interpersonal Aggression: Complexities of Domestic and Intimate Partner Abuse, about the public reaction to Angelina’s allegations against Brad and the impact these public lawsuits have on victims of gender-based violence.
Dr. Peterson, who teaches graduate students of social work and psychology at the University of Southern California, said, “The general public has difficulty understanding why anyone would stay. However, when it comes to celebrities, it becomes a popularity contest, as was demonstrated by the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial.”
Many don’t want to believe that an icon they admire would commit abuse. This is exactly what abusers do in public—be the pillar of the community, attend their children’s events, etc.
In the domestic violence community, they try to believe the victim unless proven otherwise. It’s important for victims to see information and know they are not alone, which may help them find strength to leave.
Concluding Thoughts
The Brad-Angelina case is ongoing, and no charges have been filed. Dr. Peterson hopes it serves as a reminder for victims to seek help. “Any time attention can bring awareness to the issue of gender-based violence, it means someone who is being abused may see the information and know they are not alone.”
Since the divorce, it has been reported that three of their children have stopped communicating with Brad and have publicly dropped his last name in favor of their mother’s.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic abuse, help is available. The Safe and Together Institute provides international domestic violence resources.
