Angelina Jolie Says She “Wouldn’t Be an Actress Today” Because of Hollywood’s Toxicity

Angelina Jolie, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses, recently opened up about her complicated relationship with the film industry, revealing that she “wouldn’t be an actress today” if she were starting her career in 2023. In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal, Jolie described Hollywood as “not a healthy place” and shared how the pressures of the industry have shaped her decision to step back from acting in recent years.

Hollywood’s Changing Landscape and Personal Boundaries

Once a staple on the silver screen, Jolie now approaches acting with much more caution, prioritizing her family and personal well-being over demanding projects. She explained that she no longer commits to films that require lengthy shoots, as she values time with her children above all else. The shift comes after years of grappling with the intense public scrutiny that comes with fame in today’s digital age.

“When I was starting out, it wasn’t as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much,” Jolie said, pointing to how modern celebrity culture places enormous pressure on actors to constantly expose their private lives.

Growing Up in Hollywood: A Shallow, Unhealthy World

Born into a family of actors, Jolie was immersed in Hollywood from an early age. Yet, despite this upbringing, she never embraced the industry’s often superficial nature. “I was never very impressed with it,” she admitted. “I never bought into it as significant or important.”

Jolie painted a stark picture of the environment she grew up in: “I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity.”

Avoiding the Gossip and Protecting Her Mental Health

Despite her fame, Jolie revealed she deliberately avoids reading press speculation about her life. “I’ve been around so long, and there’s been everything said,” she noted, showing a weariness with the relentless tabloid culture.

Earlier this year, in an interview with Vogue, Jolie spoke about the toll fame has taken on her mental health. “We had a lot of healing to do. We’re still finding our footing,” she said, referring to herself and her family. She also admitted to feeling “a bit down these days,” adding, “I don’t feel like I’ve been myself for a decade, in a way. Which I don’t want to get into.”

A New Chapter Beyond Hollywood

Angelina Jolie’s reflections highlight the growing awareness among celebrities about the cost of fame and the importance of mental health and authenticity. While she occasionally returns to acting, her primary focus remains on her family and causes close to her heart, signaling a new chapter that values personal fulfillment over public expectation.

Her candidness offers a rare glimpse behind the glitz of Hollywood, reminding us that beneath the fame, many stars face struggles and tough choices about their careers and lives. For Jolie, the realization that she “wouldn’t be an actress today” speaks volumes about how much the industry has changed—and how much she has grown beyond it.