Angelina Jolie Opens Up About Bell’s Palsy and Desire to Leave Hollywood Behind

Angelina Jolie recently shared her decision to avoid a Hollywood career if she were to enter the industry today. Speaking with The Wall Street Journal, the 48-year-old actress expressed her inclination towards theater while deliberately shying away from the intense public scrutiny synonymous with Hollywood stardom.

Reflecting on her upbringing in a family of actors—her father, Jon Voight, and late mother, Marcheline Bertrand—Jolie acknowledged her early aspiration to follow in their footsteps. Despite gaining fame in the 1990s and receiving an Academy Award, she remains unimpressed by Hollywood’s significance, attributing her indifference to growing up in its midst.

Jolie’s life in the spotlight intensified during her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt, which garnered immense media attention. Their relationship, which commenced on the set of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” in 2004, became tabloid fodder, earning the collective name “Brangelina.” Following their marriage in 2014 and subsequent split in 2016, Jolie revealed experiencing health issues, notably Bell’s palsy and fluctuating blood sugar, due to stress.

Despite the constant media focus, Jolie mentioned she refrains from reading news coverage about herself. She admitted that stress strongly affects her physical well-being, emphasizing her body’s reaction to external pressures.

Outside the glitz of Hollywood, Jolie’s focus has shifted toward humanitarian efforts. After filming “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Cambodia in 2001, she became involved with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, making field visits to refugee camps in several countries. Jolie emphasized her deep connections with individuals who have undergone hardship, stating her closest friends are refugees, valuing their resilience and humanity.

Regarding her family, Jolie highlighted her strong bond with her six children and the complexities of co-parenting after her divorce from Pitt. The ongoing custody battle and disputes over property have been ongoing struggles for the former couple.

Expressing a desire to move away from Los Angeles, Jolie emphasized her yearning for authenticity and a healthier lifestyle outside the shallow confines of Hollywood. She intends to spend more time in Cambodia, aiming for a freer and more fulfilling existence away from the media circus.