It’s the end of an era: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (formerly known as Brangelina) filed for divorce on this week. The couple cited the classic, “irreconcilable differences” in the papers, along with more stipulations regarding the care of their six children. As we’re sure you’re aware, Brad and Angelina are parents to Maddox (15), Pax (12), Zahara (11), Shiloh (10), and twins Knox (8) and Vivienne (8). (It’s insane how old they are now!) Angelina has asked for physical custody of the children, with legal visitation for Brad. And further reinforcing the “power” aspect of the “power couple,” Angelina did not ask for spousal support.
Already, the tabloids have descended upon the exes, citing a myriad of wild reasons for their split. To name a few: Angelina drinks too much, Brad drinks and smokes too much, Angelina gained weight, Angelina lost weight, Brad is angry, it’s Marion Cotillard’s fault, and Brad had a dream about Gwyneth Paltrow.
But here’s the thing: a lot of marriages end. They just do. And sometimes, it’s not that exciting. Most of the time, it’s not just one “smoking gun” that blows the commitment to smithereens in a single instance. Usually, it’s a complicated combination of factors over a period of time that simply cannot or will not be resolved. Above all, it’s none of our business. We may never know the true “why” behind the dissolution of the marriage, and if we did, would we even understand it?
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have always had an unconventional way of doing things. Early into their relationship, they adopted baby Zahara a full eight years before getting married in 2014. It was a relationship like no other, so who are we to judge how it ended? Or if it is actually ending, in the traditional sense. Here at MERRY JANE, we’ve always been open minded and we’re taking the stance that the details of the divorce are “noneya.”
Brad Pitt spoke to People and asked the press to proceed with maturity: “I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well being of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.
Though our hearts are totally broken, the best we can do is show a little empathy and respect their wishes.
