Angelina Jolie Admits She Felt ‘Pretty Broken’ Before Returning as Maleficent

In Hollywood, where strength is often projected as flawless confidence, Angelina Jolie has once again shown that true resilience comes from embracing vulnerability. In candid reflections on reprising her role in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Jolie revealed she was unsure she could summon the strength to play the powerful fairy again — not because of the role’s demands, but because she herself was “pretty broken” at the time.

A Return Shadowed by Personal Struggle

Jolie’s remarks come against the backdrop of her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt, a period she describes as among the most challenging of her life. “I’d been coming off a few years of difficulty, and I was not feeling very strong,” she admitted in interviews promoting the 2019 sequel. “In fact, I was feeling pretty broken. It took me a moment to feel the strength of [Maleficent] again.”

Her honesty offers a rare look behind the curtain of stardom, showing an artist grappling with her own fragility while being tasked with embodying one of Disney’s most formidable characters.

Vulnerability as Strength

In an industry that prizes polish and poise, Jolie’s willingness to speak openly about her doubts sets her apart. Rather than masking her struggles, she acknowledged them publicly, turning personal hardship into a point of connection with fans. That candor, coupled with her longstanding advocacy for mental health awareness, reinforces her belief that acknowledging weakness is not a failing — but a step toward reclaiming strength.

Resilience Through Art and Family

Despite her initial hesitation, Jolie found that returning to Maleficent mirrored her own journey toward healing. The role — one that evolves from vengeful villain to fierce protector — became a channel for rediscovering inner power. She credits her six children as her anchor throughout that process, calling their love and shared humanitarian work a source of renewal.

Her ability to find purpose through both her craft and her maternal role reflects a perseverance that transcends Hollywood’s spotlight, showing that resilience often grows out of the bonds we nurture at home.

Strength in Service

Even during this difficult chapter, Jolie’s global humanitarian work never paused. As a United Nations Special Envoy, she continued visiting refugee camps, advocating for displaced families, and pushing for women’s rights in conflict zones. Her focus on others — particularly in moments when her own life felt unsteady — underscores a selflessness that has defined much of her public life.

More Than a Movie Role

Jolie’s confession reframes her return to Maleficent as more than just a sequel performance — it became an act of personal reclamation. Her journey from “broken” to empowered offers a reminder that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about finding the grace to stand back up, and in doing so, inspiring others to do the same.

Through vulnerability, art, and a steadfast commitment to others, Angelina Jolie has shown that the most powerful roles aren’t always scripted — sometimes, they’re lived.