TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 22: (L-R) Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brad Pitt, Director David Leitch and Producer Kelly McCormick attend the 'Bullet Train' promotion event at Koyasan Tokyo Betsu-In Temple on August 22, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)
The following is an excerpt of my conversation with Angelina Jolie:
Maleficent, what is her concept of family?
“Family is earned. Family is built through loyalty and shared values.”
Ms. Jolie, why does love always come with pain?
“I think when love is right, it’s a good kind of pain.
“It’s a growing — it’s a pain where your heart is stretching, your feelings are stretching.
“The loss… ‘the greater the love, the greater the loss’ is true.”
Is there anything more powerful than love?
“Family.”
“Love doesn’t always end well,” why?
“I need a minute for that one (laughs).
“It doesn’t always end well because maybe one kind of love is mistaken for the other.”
Ms. Jolie, your most important lesson from this sequel of Maleficent?
“Trust in your true nature.”
She is stunning. And what a presence! You don’t take your eyes away from her. You are mesmerized.
Angelina filled the entire room with her magic the moment she
(together with co-actor Sam Riley) walked and entered the venue at the
Grand Hyatt, Tokyo, Japan for our exclusive interview which was part of
the Maleficent: Mistress of Evil press junket. I have interviewed
several famous international personalities in the past but meeting
Angelina for the first time has left me in blissful catatonia.
I had no second thoughts when I received the invitation to be part of
the press junket in Tokyo (Thank you to Pam Mariano and Ailene dela
Rosa of Disney Philippines). Who am I to say “no” to Angelina Jolie? How
could I ignore the Academy Award and three-time Golden Globe Award
winner who returns to the big screen with her latest Disney movie? She
is an accomplished actor, director, producer and screenwriter. A
humanitarian, Angelina is the special envoy to the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She is beautiful inside out.
Fascinatingly, her colorful life story does not fall distant from the
fascinating characters she portrays onscreen.
From the sit-down interview, we met again at the red carpet event at
Roppongi Hills Arena. Everybody went wild when Angelina arrived. She was
divinely glamorous in her sparkling metallic fringe gown by Ralph &
Russo Couture, wore earrings and ring by Robert Procop. The
award-winning actress was seen holding cameras to do selfies with fans.
What a remarkable woman!
Angelina called me “Boy” at the red carpet. It was a thrill to have
her call me by my name. Maybe it was because of my outlandish outfits,
maybe because “Boy” is easy to remember, maybe because she saw the
Maleficent horns on my head. One of the most important learnings I got
from Angelina comes from her active participation in her various
advocacies. She shared, “You do good for this world but don’t lose the
inside.” That is one of the best lines I heard from a public figure.
Is Maleficent ever afraid?
“Yes, she’s afraid that somebody she loves would be hurt. She’s not really afraid for herself. She’s afraid for others.”
Do you know if she’s going to heaven?
“I don’t think she thinks so.”
And If she goes — hypothetically — what is she wearing?
“This. (Refers to her red carpet dress)”
And if God is there in the pearly gates and he asks, “Why should I let you in to heaven?” What will Maleficent say?
“I never meant ill will and I fought for what I thought was right.”
My interview aired on Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA) while our red
carpet encounter is posted on the Boy Abunda official FB fan page.
WATCH: Tito Boy interviews Angelina Jolie about love, ‘Maleficent’ sequel https://t.co/9v0a3HC1sa
What a blast!! Such a fun event with passionate crowd in Tokyo(With horns of course) So honored to join Angie and Sam for the premiere in Tokyo with the sweet Japanese crowd. We did it! I’m sure Japan, Asia and the whole world will love this film. It’s time to fly! #Maleficentpic.twitter.com/eZSdIjVNOx
Behind the Horns: Tokyo. Get an exclusive look as Angelina Jolie brought #Maleficent: Mistress of Evil to fans across Japan. pic.twitter.com/TtOQwav1qV
— Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (@Maleficent) October 7, 2019
TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 03: Angelina Jolie attends the Japan premiere of 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' at the Roppongi Hills arena
There hasn't been any of the usual photos showing her arriving at the Tokyo airport terminal. They've had several of those in the past, in almost all of their trips to the country. Just last month Brad was photographed upon arrival at Narita for Ad Astra. So while Maddox and Zahara showed up at the premiere and she said in her interview that the twins and older kids are enjoying their visit, we didn't get to see them when they arrived from L.A. They likely made a special request to skip normal procedure. Obviously, that raises the question of why when this is a big promotional trip and fans typically gather at the airport. Or perhaps the question is who didn't want to be photographed arriving. Taking the opportunity to also visit the ceramicists he admires perhaps.
"Gerard," who was busy taking photos or videos with a new iphone 11 pro, was also part of their security during the L.A. premiere
Friday, September 13, 2019
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 13: Brad Pitt attends the Japan premiere of 'Ad Astra' at Roppongi Hills on September 13, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 12: Brad Pitt attends the press conference for Japan premiere of 'Ad Astra' at National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Miraikan on September 12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
