AUSTRALIAN NW MAGAZINE - "BROTHERLY LOVE"
April 2000
Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie spoke warmly about her brother at the awards. Perhaps a little too warmly.
What is the story between Oscar-winning glamour girl Angelina Jolie and her brother, James Haven Voight? After all, we've heard of siblings being close, but their relationship seems a little too weird &endash; even by Hollywood standards.
Rushing up to the podium at last week's ceremony to grab her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Girl, Interrupted, the first words that came tumbling out of Angelina's mouth were: "I'm so in love with my brother".
Sporting striking new jet-black locks, Angelina, 24, went on to tell the world that she is "nothing" without her brother, and that he is simply the "stongest' most amazing man I've ever known". Meanwhile, an obviously overwhelmed James sobbed uncontrollably from his seat in the audience.
It was only the day before the Academy Awards that the pair were seen enjoying each other's company in Beverley Hills. Doing a spot of shopping before the big night, the twosome were decked out in black from heat-to-toe, with matching sunnies.
But it was their extra-close behaviour at the Oscars that drew curious stares, and had everyone asking questions. At a media session after the ceremony on Monday, one journalist just couldn't refrain from asking the actress the obvious.
"Can you explain the nature of your closeness to your brother?" the reporter queried. "Oh, God, well," Angelina began, somewhat hesitantly. "I don't know if it's divorced families or what, but he and I were each other's everything, always, we've been best friends… He's the sweetest human being I know. He's a good person, and he's just given me so much love, and taken care of me and, you know, it makes life great."
Followers of Angelina &endash; who changed her surname to avoid comparisons with her famous father Jon Voight &endash; will know that the star has never been one to shy away from controversy.
Briefly married to Trainspotting star Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina has revealed that she's experimented with bisexuality and sadomasochism. She also has a passion for tattoos &endash; she has more than eight, including one that translates as: "What nourishes me destroys me" &endash; and she likes to collect knives.
"I feel both masculine and feminine &endash; I know I present myself as many things," Angelina has said of her ambiguous persona. As of last week, Angelina's agent was sticking to "no comment" when asked about the closeness of the siblings.
