Angelina Jolie Says Hollywood Is 'Sometimes Not a Healthy Business': 'It's Not the Easiest Place'

Mar. 15, 2025

Angelina Jolie at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in Palm Springs, California, on Jan. 3, 2025.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Angelina Jolieis getting candid about some of the difficulties of Hollywood.During a conversation withVariety’s Clayton Davis at the 36thPalm Springs International Film Festivalon Friday, Jan. 3, theMariaactress said she will “often stress that it’s really important to live a very full life” when she meets “young artists who ask me for advice.““There’s a lot to focus on just having a career — if you love theater, you can do readings at home in your pajamas,” continued Jolie, 49. “You don’t have to get that job. Find the ways to just live as an artist, be around artists, but also live a very full life. It’s sometimes not a healthy business.“Added the Oscar winner, “It’s not the easiest place, and it’s not where you should give everything if you’re living a full life.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Angelina Jolie at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in Palm Springs, California, on Jan. 3, 2025.Monica Schipper/WireImageJolie, who was honored with the festival’sDesert Palm Achievement Awardon Friday at the Palm Springs Convention Center, also addressed during the conversation with Davis the fact that she “had never sung” before being cast as opera legendMaria Callasin directorPablo Larraín’s biopic.“I had somebody once tell me I couldn’t sing or be a little dismissive when I was singing once, and it really shut me down,” she said. “I never told anybody, but it was part of my life that I just blocked.““Then when Pablo asked me to do this and asked me if I could sing, I lied,” Jolie continued. " ‘Can you ride a horse?’ ‘Yes.’ Obviously, nobody can sing like Maria. No one. But I’ll do my best.”The actress has earned rave reviews and recognition, including nominations at the recent 2025Golden Globe Awardsand upcomingCritics Choice Awards.The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas inMaria(2024).Pablo Larraín/Netflix © 2024While speaking toThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview published in August 2024 aboutstarringinMariaand directing 2024’sWithout Blood, Jolie also discussed appreciating those closest to her.Asked which “close friend” she’d be calling in the early hours of the morning, the actress andmother of sixresponded, “I don’t really have those kinds of relationships. Maybe it’s losing your parent young. Maybe it’s working. Maybe it’s beingsomebody who’s been betrayed a lot.““I don’t have a lot of those warm, close relationships as much that I lean on. But I have a few, and a few is enough,” she continued. “My mother [the lateMarcheline Bertrand] was very close to me. I lost her. I’ve had a few friends over the years not be there for my family in their hour of need.““I have a couple of people that I trust,” Jolie went on, adding, “What did Maria Callas die with? Two trusted people.”

Angelina Jolieis getting candid about some of the difficulties of Hollywood.

During a conversation withVariety’s Clayton Davis at the 36thPalm Springs International Film Festivalon Friday, Jan. 3, theMariaactress said she will “often stress that it’s really important to live a very full life” when she meets “young artists who ask me for advice.”

“There’s a lot to focus on just having a career — if you love theater, you can do readings at home in your pajamas,” continued Jolie, 49. “You don’t have to get that job. Find the ways to just live as an artist, be around artists, but also live a very full life. It’s sometimes not a healthy business.”

Added the Oscar winner, “It’s not the easiest place, and it’s not where you should give everything if you’re living a full life.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Angelina Jolie at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards in Palm Springs, California, on Jan. 3, 2025.Monica Schipper/WireImage

Monica Schipper/WireImage

Jolie, who was honored with the festival’sDesert Palm Achievement Awardon Friday at the Palm Springs Convention Center, also addressed during the conversation with Davis the fact that she “had never sung” before being cast as opera legendMaria Callasin directorPablo Larraín’s biopic.

“I had somebody once tell me I couldn’t sing or be a little dismissive when I was singing once, and it really shut me down,” she said. “I never told anybody, but it was part of my life that I just blocked.”

“Then when Pablo asked me to do this and asked me if I could sing, I lied,” Jolie continued. " ‘Can you ride a horse?’ ‘Yes.’ Obviously, nobody can sing like Maria. No one. But I’ll do my best.”

The actress has earned rave reviews and recognition, including nominations at the recent 2025Golden Globe Awardsand upcomingCritics Choice Awards.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas inMaria(2024).Pablo Larraín/Netflix © 2024

Pablo Larraín/Netflix © 2024

While speaking toThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview published in August 2024 aboutstarringinMariaand directing 2024’sWithout Blood, Jolie also discussed appreciating those closest to her.

Asked which “close friend” she’d be calling in the early hours of the morning, the actress andmother of sixresponded, “I don’t really have those kinds of relationships. Maybe it’s losing your parent young. Maybe it’s working. Maybe it’s beingsomebody who’s been betrayed a lot.”

“I don’t have a lot of those warm, close relationships as much that I lean on. But I have a few, and a few is enough,” she continued. “My mother [the lateMarcheline Bertrand] was very close to me. I lost her. I’ve had a few friends over the years not be there for my family in their hour of need.”

“I have a couple of people that I trust,” Jolie went on, adding, “What did Maria Callas die with? Two trusted people.”

source: people.com