Shiloh, the daughter of turbulent exes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, turned 18 in May and now that she is legally an adult, she is making up her own mind about life and how she lives it.
And that includes what she wants her legal name to be.
In May, the youngster petitioned to drop Pitt from her surname and be known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, and on August 19, that wish was granted.
People reported that Shiloh applied to drop Pitt from her surname on her 18th birthday on May 27, 2024.
In July, she issued a series of legal notices in the Los Angeles Times stating her proposed name change. That was done to comply with local California law, which requires those petitioning to change their last name to publish a legal notice in a newspaper at least four weeks in a row before the appointed court date.
”Shiloh Jolie did not take out an ‘ad’ announcing any name change, and any press reporting that is inaccurate,” her lawyer Peter Levine said, adding she had made an ”independent and significant decision following painful events.”
The formal name change comes eight years after her mother Angelina Jolie’s acrimonious divorce from Pitt, which has estranged him from many of his children.
Shi, as she is known by her nearest and dearest, isn’t the only child of the famous couple who has distanced themselves from the Pitt name.
Two of Shiloh’s sisters have made the move too, although not legally.
Zahara, 19, introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” at her sorority in 2023 in a clip posted by Essence, while Vivienne, 15, is currently credited as Vivienne Jolie on the playbill for The Outsiders, a musical for which she was an assistant and co-producer on, working alongside her mother.
In 2021, Us Weekly reported that the eldest of the children, Maddox, 22, didn’t use the name either.
“He doesn’t use Pitt as his last name on documents that aren’t legal and instead uses Jolie,” a source shared, adding that Maddox had wanted to legally change his name but that at the time, Jolie “said she doesn’t support [that]”. Her views may have since shifted.
Name change or not, Pitt still has hopes to reconnect with his daughter, according to sources.
“Now that Shiloh is 18, she can make up her own mind as far as how she wants her relationship with her father to develop,” a source told Daily Mail, later adding, “If Shiloh chooses to have limited contact with her dad, that is her decision.”
However, an insider told People that Pitt was “aware and upset” over Shiloh’s shock move.
“He’s never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter,” the source said.
“The reminders that he’s lost his children is, of course, not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad,” the insider went on, adding that the distance from his kids “pains” Pitt.
Shiloh Jolie and her future
While it is unclear whether or not Shiloh will choose to spend time with her father of her own accord, one thing that she continues to focus on is her passion for dance, showing off her talent at a studio in Los Angeles. Her choreographer, Carter, has shared some footage of what goes on inside their sessions, and people are impressed.
While Shiloh clearly hit the jackpot of the artistic gene pool, she’s relying on her own skills on the dancefloor.
In 2022, Pitt admitted that the movement skills didn’t come from him when speaking to Entertainment Tonight.
“I don’t know where she got it from. I’m Mr Two-Left-Feet here,” he laughed.
At the time, a video of his daughter dancing had been making the rounds online. “It brings a tear to the eye, yeah,” the proud dad shared adding that she was “beautiful”.
Carter told Daily Mail that he didn’t even know who Shiloh was at first, but went on to praise her humble attitude and love for the craft: “Shiloh is an exceptionally talented dancer, demonstrating dedication and hard work.”
With a positive reputation and the talent to back it up, this could be the beginning of another legendary career for this famous family. “Brad and Angie are both very proud,” a source told Us Weekly in 2022.
