I know, it’s hard to believe. I’m sure the world remembers exactly where they were when they learned “Fight Club” guy and Lara Croft (also known as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) had split. I was in a meeting for Her Campus, actually, and I was blindsided by the news.
If you stop to think about it, it’s strange that we, as a society, are so personally devastated by the divorce of two people we don’t even know. And yet, I was so upset. Celebrities can seem like friends if you’ve watched all their movies or have followed the things they do for years. Honestly, if Angelina had a twitter, I would be checking that more than my best friend’s.
After the news broke earlier this week, people were quick to choose a side. First of all, a disclaimer: according to an article by CNN, Angelina and Brad want their divorce to be a cordial one that has their children’s best interests at heart. That being said, I am 100% in Angelina’s camp.
How can I not be? Her portrayal of Lara Croft blew my five-year-old mind. Her portrayal of Maleficent blew my 17-year-old mind. Not to mention her ongoing philanthropy as well as her openness with her double mastectomy, which blows my mind every day.
Obviously, none of us can claim to know Angelina personally (unless you can, in which case, why are you holding out on us?) but there’s something special about growing up with a strong female role model your whole life. I can’t help but be loyal to her.
Even though Brad and Angelina are divorcing, I think it’s important to remember some of the ways in which they actually set the standard for a positive marriage and A+ parenting. Their ten-year-old child Shiloh, whose gender identity has been up in the air, has the full support of both her parents (I’m using she/her pronouns because that is what her parents have used in recent interviews.)
One of the most pressing concerns involving the divorce is the children. Angelina wants full custody of all six children, while Brad wants joint custody. Angelina has not released any information as to her reasons behind wanting full custody as of when I’m writing this.
All in all, yes, it’s tragic, but I’m glad they’re separating if they’re not happy. Angelina was the one who filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, and I’m proud of her for taking the initiative. I hope they come to a mutually beneficial agreement regarding custody, and that they come out as better people on the other side.
In the meantime, let us all be thankful for the celebrity couples we do have. It may seem like love has died, but let me remind us all of some couples that are still #relationshipgoals:
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka
Neil and David have been together since 2004. They got married in 2014 and have two adorable kids, twins Gideon and Harper. Neil posts an adorable amount of pictures with his kids on his Instagram, and his Snapchat (StoryofNPH) is just as cute!
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
They’ve been married 19 years and are basically the coolest parents in the world. I don’t have anything to back that up as far as statistics go, but how could Will Smith not be the coolest dad?
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi
Okay, that photo is over a decade old, but I chose it to showcase that this couple was serving up looks even at the beginning of their relationship. They got together in 2004, got married in 2008 and are still just as happy. They aren’t planning on having children, but they’re both vegans and have numerous rescue animals. In other words, too perfect for this world.
In short, though it’s really upsetting that one of our favorite couples broke up, there’s tons more that inspire the true love in us all. Plus, Brad and Angelina’s divorce was clearly for a reason or they wouldn’t have done it. And, personally, I’m looking forward to Angelina championing amazing single moms, and single women, everywhere.