In a rare and candid interview on the ‘h0 h0’ podcast, James Haven, the older brother of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, opened up about his close bond with his sister and the challenges they have faced together in the public eye.
The conversation delved into his protective nature, his relationship with Jolie’s children, and their shared commitment to philanthropic work.
The interview, released recently, saw Haven addressing the host’s query about his role during challenging times in Angelina Jolie’s life, particularly alluding to the high-profile split from actor Brad Pitt. Haven explained,
“It started with the protection of her and then of her children, my nieces, and nephews. Those are massively formative years; they’re becoming young adults in their early 20s. I just want to be there, very much like my mom.”
He emphasized the influence of their late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, in instilling the value of being present in the moment. “It’s a quality I got from my mom. Even though cell phones were not as prevalent as they are now, she always emphasized, ‘You are the focus.'”
Haven reminisced about the initial media attention during Jolie’s award season for “Girl, Interrupted,” where the siblings were photographed sharing kisses on the red carpet. Defending the affectionate display, Haven explained that it occurred during a difficult time as their mother was hospitalized, ultimately describing it as a demonstration of brotherly love.
The interview marked the first time James Haven publicly discussed his relationship with Angelina Jolie and their collaborative efforts, much of which occurs behind the scenes. He expressed their shared interests, especially in endeavors focused on helping children. “We have very mutual interests, especially if it focuses on how to help kids or stuff like that,” he shared.
Looking ahead, Haven hinted at future collaborations, stating, “I know there’s going to be many things in the future that we’ll probably be working on which we’ve never done publicly like together, but I think there’s many things in the future that I think we’ll do together.”
The conversation with James Haven comes shortly after Angelina Jolie’s December cover story with Wall Street Journal magazine, where she discussed her divorce from Brad Pitt and the healing process for her children. Despite the challenges, Jolie remains committed to her philanthropic work, hoping for a future where she can escape from the pressures of Hollywood and spend more time in Cambodia, reflecting on her quest for authenticity.
