Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara presented a united front at the screening of her new film, Without Blood, in New York City on Monday. The event marked a significant moment for the family, occurring shortly after reports emerged that Jolie’s son, Maddox, has legally dropped Brad Pitt’s surname.
Angelina Jolie and Zahara Shine at Film Premiere
The acclaimed actress, 51, was accompanied by her daughter, 21, at the East Village event celebrating Without Blood. Jolie captivated attendees in a chic black suit paired with a gold bralette, while Zahara exuded elegance in a striking halterneck knot dress. The film, slated for release on September 18, is described as a parable that delves into themes of family, war, and revenge, drawing inspiration from Alessandro Baricco’s novel.
Director Jolie shared her perspective on the project, stating, “Alessandro Baricco’s Without Blood examines universal truths about trauma, memory and healing. The emotional intimacy and openness that our cast and crew brought to this film was extraordinary and exciting to be around.” She added, “I hope that Salma and Demián’s brave performances will inspire the type of conversation that Baricco sought in writing the novel.” Stars of the film, Salma Hayek and Demian Bichir, were also in attendance and greeted by fans.
Maddox Legally Drops Pitt Surname
The mother-daughter appearance comes just days after it was confirmed that Maddox, 25, has officially removed Pitt from his last name. This legal step follows a similar move by his younger sibling, Shiloh, 20, who also initiated the process to change her surname. While Vivienne and Knox, 18, and Zahara have informally ceased using their father’s surname, with plans to formalize the change.
A Los Angeles judge granted Maddox’s petition for a name change on Monday, officially altering his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie, according to reports. The court order indicated that there were no objections to the petition. Maddox reportedly attended the court hearing remotely, accompanied by his attorney, Peter Levine.
Earlier this year, both Maddox and Zahara had published legal notices in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, signaling their intention to drop their father’s last name. Zahara also has a scheduled court hearing for her name change on September 28.
Shiloh’s Name Change and Family Dynamics
In July 2024, Shiloh’s attorney confirmed her decision to drop her father’s last name. Shiloh filed the request on her birthday in May, with the public announcement made via a legal notice. Her lawyer stated that Shiloh “made an independent and significant decision following painful events” and was “merely following legal process” in publishing the information.
Sources close to the family indicated in the past that Pitt’s relationship with his older children has been strained. An insider revealed that Pitt had “virtually no contact with the adult kids” and that his engagement with the younger children was “more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule.”
Background on Jolie and Pitt’s Relationship
Brad Pitt was previously married to Jennifer Aniston from 2000 to 2005. He later began a high-profile relationship with Angelina Jolie, his co-star in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The couple separated in 2016 after a 12-year relationship and a two-year marriage, with their divorce finalized eight years later in December 2024. The former couple remains involved in a protracted legal dispute concerning their shared French winery, Château Miraval. Pitt alleges that Jolie sold her share of the winery to Russian businessman Yuri Shefler without his knowledge or consent, violating an agreement they had in place.
Pitt has been publicly linked with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon since 2022.
The screening of Without Blood provided a platform for Jolie to showcase her directorial work, while her family’s personal matters, particularly the name changes of her children, have drawn significant public attention.
