Angelina Jolie is making headlines again, this time for rediscovering her singing voice in her new film, Maria. The psychological drama, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, has received rave reviews. Jolie’s powerful performance as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas stands out. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie spoke about the intense preparation process for her role and how she had to confront her fears and insecurities about singing.
Angelina Jolie’s Journey to Find Her Voice
In her interview, Angelina Jolie revealed that finding her voice for Maria was both challenging and therapeutic. She shared that she long believed she couldn’t sing because of criticism from a former partner. “It was an out-of-body experience because I don’t sing,” Jolie said. She explained that someone in her life had been unkind about her singing, leading her to doubt her abilities. Despite attending theater school, where singing is essential, she internalized this negative opinion and lost confidence in her singing for years.
Jolie had to overcome self-doubt and personal reflection to rediscover her singing abilities. She needed to break through the mental barriers imposed by that relationship. “It took me getting past a lot of things to start singing,” she explained. During this process, she made a surprising discovery: Jolie, who always believed she had a low voice, found out she was actually a soprano. “I thought I had a low voice my whole life,” she said. Her vocal coach told her that her voice was higher than she thought. “Your voice changes when you go through different things in your life,” she reflected, recognizing how personal experiences can shape one’s expressions.
Connecting Deeply with the Role of Maria Callas
Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas is more than just a role. It represents a deep, emotional connection. Pablo Larraín, who directed Jackie and Spencer, also directed Maria. The film explores the final chapter of Callas’s life in 1977. The opera singer faced many struggles, including substance abuse, a declining voice, and significant weight loss. To prepare for this role, Jolie needed to sing and embody the emotional turmoil of a woman fighting her inner demons.
Critics have praised both the film and Jolie’s performance, noting her ability to capture Callas’s vulnerability and strength. At the Venice Film Festival, Jolie shed tears during the standing ovation after the premiere. This emotional moment showcased the depth of her commitment to the role.
A New Chapter for Angelina Jolie
Recently, Angelina Jolie has faced many personal challenges. Her divorce from Brad Pitt, which began in September 2016, has been highly publicized and difficult. It involved allegations of abuse and a complicated custody battle. Despite these struggles, her work on Maria marks a new chapter of healing and artistic growth.
Preparing for and performing in Maria allowed Jolie to reclaim a silenced part of herself. By facing her fears and embracing her true voice, both literally and figuratively, she delivered a powerful performance and shared an inspiring story of resilience and self-discovery.
As she continues to navigate her personal life, Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas shows her ability to channel her experiences into her art. This performance creates a powerful narrative of healing and transformation. Maria is a testament to Jolie’s enduring talent and her relentless pursuit of personal and artistic growth.