It seems as if Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce proceedings are still slowly crawling along. From what sources can tell, much of the disagreements are around the couple's kids. Maddox, the first child adopted by Angelina Jolie, is the oldest. But the couple also have a mix of adopted and biological children whom they've brought into their famous family.
While nobody really knows the extent of what happened, there was a violent incident that happened back in 2016 on a private plane. And many believe it involved Maddox directly. The FBI and the Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services investigated Brad, and Angelina filed for divorce immediately afterward.
Sources believe that Brad may have been drunk at the time. But whatever happened was the final straw between the couple, and things have been bitter ever since.
According to Us Weekly, Maddox had a chance to speak in court — and what he said didn't necessarily make Brad Pitt look innocent. "Maddox has already given testimony as [an] adult in the ongoing custody dispute and it wasn't very flattering toward Brad," a source told the publication. "He doesn't use Pitt as his last name on documents that aren't legal and instead uses Jolie."
Maddox is reportedly hoping to change his name for good. That, in itself, speaks volumes. Everyone is already aware of who his father is. Removing that distinction legally means he's really looking to separate himself from Brad entirely.
While Angelina's claims against her ex-husband are serious, Angelina reportedly isn't fond of the idea of Maddox removing Brad's last name. Just recently, Angelina alleged that Brad was domestically abusive to her and the children. Aside from Maddox, that includes Pax, 17; Zahara, 16; Shiloh, 14; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12.
In the paperwork submitted by Angelina, she says that they were willing to provide "proof and authority in support" of the claims. While Brad was reportedly cleared of any child abuse claims after the 2016 incident on the plane, it doesn't mean that he wasn't abusive at other times.
"The Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services cleared him of any child abuse allegations almost immediately," an insider spilled to Us Weekly. "The case remained open out of an abundance of caution because the department took the matter seriously, and in the almost two years of monitored visitation, there was not one instance that caused any alarm bells to go off.”
It's upsetting to know that those in support of Brad seem to write off Angelina's very serious allegations. "Over the past four-and-a-half years, there have been a number of claims made by Angelina that have been reviewed and not substantiated," they said. "The children have been used by Angelina to hurt Brad before and this is more of that behavior. This leaking of documents by her fourth or fifth set of lawyers has been done to hurt Brad."
Brad Pitt and Maddox have reportedly failed to rekindle any kind of relationship since the incident years ago. And according to Us Weekly, Brad also doesn't talk to Pax at all. After having such an active role in their lives growing up, it seems as if things will never return back to normal. However, these severe actions make it look like the kids were hurt by their father in some way. And it's important to discuss.
Based on his acting career and general persona, it may seem hard to believe that Brad has a darker side that'd allow for violence. But it's also difficult for women like Angelina to fully bring these charges up, based on the fact that she knows that it's something his fans openly wouldn't want to believe. It's important to believe survivors.
It's the reason why movements such as #MeToo are so important. For decades, women didn't get a chance to tell their truth without fearing some type of repercussions. Even now, people are trying to pin Angelina and Brad against each other. Or they're willing to write off Angelina's statements simply because, perhaps, they assume that they know Brad better.
Even if you dislike Angelina — or felt as if she was the villain who broke up Brad and Jennifer Aniston — these latest allegations are greater than that. This is a woman who's opening up about her story and her experience, even though she knows it'll come with a lot of backlash, simply because her husband has a high position of power in Hollywood. Right now, she's trying to speak her truth while shielding her children of the headlines.
Right now, Maddox is an adult who also claims to have been subjected to Brad Pitt. It's yet another adult who's seen the situation with his own eyes. Angelina has constantly stated that the separation was healthy for the kids, which in itself was brave to say. As a father, Brad could have done more to try to reconnect if he really felt as if these claims were unjust.
"I separated for the well-being of my family," Angelina told Vogue, per Us Weekly, shortly after the news of the tumultuous relationship aired. "It was the right decision. I continue to focus on their healing. Some have taken advantage of my silence, and the children see lies about themselves in the media, but I remind them that they know their own truth and their own minds."
It's important to note that nobody in the household seemingly uses social media. So that's another way that Angelina has tried to protect her kids even further. No matter what, it's fairly easy to tell that she's a loving and supportive mother. In fact, that's probably her strongest role she's had so far.
Angelina's account shouldn't be erased, just because people might not be ready to hear it. And it's important to pay attention to Maddox and what he's witnessed. He and his siblings have had an upbringing that's different from most — but their feelings matter. And they are the best character witnesses of Brad Pitt.
