Brad Pitt Officially Speaks Out For First Time On Angelina Jolie
11/08/2017 03:56 pm EST
The Oscar-winning producer and star says he doesn't want to "hate" Jolie.
"I see it happen to friends -- I see where the one spouse literally can't tell their own part in it, and it's still competing with the other in some way and wants to destroy them, and needs vindication by destruction, and just wasting years on that hatred. I don't want to live that way."
It is quite clear that a split like this is not easy in any way. Especially when it involves two heavy-hitting stars.
"The first urge is to cling on," he admits about his feelings towards his family post-split. "And then you've got a cliche: If you love someone, set them free. Now I know what it means, by feeling it. It means to love without ownership. It means expecting nothing in return."
Pitt also says putting "family first" is what has gotten him through the past six months. He admits he's previously let work take him away from his children.
"Kids are so delicate," he explains. "They absorb everything. They need to have their hand held and things explained. They need to be listened to. When I get in that busy work mode, I'm not hearing. I want to be better at that."
"I come from a place where, you know, it's strength if we get a bruise or cut or ailment [and] we don't discuss it," he shares. "We just deal with it. We just go on. The downside of that is it's the same with our emotions. I'm personally very retarded when it comes to taking inventory of my emotions. I'm much better at covering up."
"I grew up with a Father-knows best/war mentality -- the father is all-powerful, super-strong -- instead of really knowing the man and his own self-doubt and struggles," he continues. "And it's hit me smack in the face with our divorce. I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven't been great at it."
In January, Pitt and Jolie released a joint statement that said they've both signed agreements to keep all of their court documents private. They also stated they were "committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification."
Although we have not seen much of them lately, the two seem willing to work on making their children's lives better. "We will always be a family. Always," Jolie said when asked about Pitt during her appearance on Good Morning America in February.
We wish the best for the two and their family.
[H/T Entertainment Tonight, GQ Style]
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