Angelina Jolie & Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Actors on Actors’ conversation was so soft & sweet

Variety has been releasing their “Actors on Actors” series all week. People rolled their eyes at Ryan Reynolds & Andrew Garfield’s AoA, and no one knew what to make of Paul Mescal and Ariana Grande’s talk. Selena Gomez and Saoirse Ronan seemed charmed with each other, and that was a surprisingly good one. But nothing prepared me for the vibe between Angelina Jolie and Cynthia Erivo. At first I was like “why did they get put together?” But once they start talking, it all makes sense. If anything, they’re bringing out a really sweet softness in one another. Both women are speaking in their softest voices as they finish each other’s sentences and agree with each other on everything. Angelina was really gassing up Cynthia, but it came across like Angelina was genuinely in awe of Cynthia’s talent. The connection with this year’s Tony Awards was special too – Cynthia and Idina Menzel presented the Best Musical Tony Award to… The Outsiders, produced by Angelina. Here’s the video:

I know you guys are getting tired of Jolie’s promotion and awards-season campaign – these posts are getting so few comments, come on, honk if you love La Jolie! – but I’m eating it up. I love so many parts of this conversation. Jolie spoke about why she decided to play Maria Callas, because “towards the end of her life, there was a lot of cruelty, and she was very unsupported. I knew that the whole team wanted to approach it with love and respect for her, so I thought we’d try.” Jolie also spoke about losing her own voice:

“I didn’t know how much I had lost my voice. Maybe when I lost my mother, maybe when someone hurt me — whatever it was, the different things that had made it smaller and locked it away. So finding it and letting it come out was very emotional, and such a feeling that I wish for everybody to have. I wish everybody could know what you feel when you sing at the top of your beautiful voice, and you know what can come out of your body. And it’s not just what you can do for an audience or how you tell a story, it’s that you can make that sound. Maria said something — she said she doesn’t like to hear records, because they’re perfect.

[From Variety]

“Maybe when someone hurt me” – Brad Pitt is so f–king evil. Erivo also noted that at no point does Callas feel sorry for herself, and that Callas fought and fought, and that’s why society treated her with such cruelty, because they wanted to knock her off this pedestal. Jolie says, “They’re a good woman if they’re apologizing. Or if they’re breaking.” Anyway, LGBTQ Twitter is now convinced that Angelina and Cynthia were flirting with each other.

Cover & photo courtesy of Variety.

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101 Responses to “Angelina Jolie & Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Actors on Actors’ conversation was so soft & sweet”

  1. Jas says:

    I’m here for the Angelina Jolie content. I really admire the ways she’s matured and grown and the wonderful relationships she has with her children. And the grace with which she’s handled the godawful Brad Pitt situation. He’s been tormenting her for years and she’s kept her cool.
    I hope she wins all the awards.

  2. Louise says:

    HONK! Always here for La Jolie.

  3. polengistwisted says:

    I actually think Angie is the one campaigning less than the women in the BA category. Fans are more driven to campaign for her, in all honesty. 😅 The woman decided to work in the middle of the campaign surge. 😅

  4. Jais says:

    Honk🦆

  5. BlueSky says:

    I never tire of AJ stories! I watched Maria last night and loved it! It’s in the top 10 on Netflix so I’m happy for her!

    • Alex Can says:

      I watched it a few days ago at tiff theatre in Toronto. I loved it too and cried through most of it. I’ve read reviews that said the film was too cold and that Maria was unknowable, or something like that, but I was shocked by how much the film touched me. I usually can’t remember most films after watching them but this one really stayed with me. AJ was amazing. Beautiful film.

    • ArtHistorian says:

      I am really looking forward to Maria and it sucks that it is not on netflix in my country. I hope it will get a theatrical release. I recently rewatched Jackie and I still find it an amazing movie.

    • Anonymous says:

      Honk

  6. grace says:

    Double HONK for AJ! Love her! Everything about her is👍❤️! More AJ, less BRF!

    • GoldenMom says:

      !00% agree with this! I read EVERY AJ post, and now read no BRF posts. Interesting, strong woman is always a good thing.

      • Lady D says:

        I read the BRF posts that aren’t about Kate. She is just so boring and one dimensional. I read about her because it was Kaiser writing the articles and her snark and humour starts my day. Kate is just a waste of time and space in my life, even the outrage I felt towards her is also diminishing. She is useless and I’ve moved on from her.

      • An gie says:

        Honk! Just here to agree that I read every AJ post and have started ignoring all the BRF ones because they are the same story on repeat and have become quite boring.

      • Coco Bean says:

        Same! I’ll only click on a BRF post if it’s especially interesting but usually skip them. I know they get the most responses but most days I feel like most stories could get combined in one or two posts, not multiple individual posts.

    • Lili says:

      Exactly. I started following celebitchy because of Angelina. But lately is all about royal family and I am tired. But I am always up to check Angelina’s posts. I love her!

  7. LolaB says:

    Honk honk

  8. Bings says:

    Honk, Honk for Angelina!!

  9. Mireille says:

    The convo between the 2 is absolutely adorable. Angie is clearly fangirling Cynthia. I loved Cynthia’s performance in Wicked and I loved Angie’s in Maria. And I love the Angie stories Kaiser. Please keep them coming. I may not comment all the time but I do read. I’ve been busy with family and the holidays. And as someone who witnessed Angie IRL interacting with fans and having worked with some of her former UNHCR/UN colleagues and hearing about her from them, I’m a fan for life. This woman is the real deal. Also, Angie is STUNNING in person. She does not need makeup or Tom Ford’s red lipstick. LOL! Rooting for Cynthia and Angie this awards season!

  10. Skyblue says:

    Honk! Angelina fan forever, looking forward to watching Maria this weekend.

  11. Sparkle says:

    Love Angie and looking forward to watching this interview.

  12. Vuyelwa Ncube says:

    I watched it and funny I didn’t think sweet. I thought powerfully introspective and refreshing self awareness. Striking looks.
    I also thought supportive and beautiful cadence in their voices.
    Loved it.

  13. Nanea says:

    Team Angelina, always!

    I haven’t yet watched Maria, as it will only come out here in cinemas in Feb. 2025. And I won’t stream movies that will be better on a big screen.

  14. Vuyelwa Ncube says:

    It’s taken a lot for me to appreciate Angelina. I think it was very very recently when I saw her support her daughter with her jewellery. I then thought yah okay 👍🏾

  15. Looty says:

    I’m always in such complete agreement with the Angelina Jolie posts, I can’t think of anything to add.

    • Lady D says:

      Right? This woman is the closest I’m coming to a hero these days. I read every story because I admire her so much. I don’t always comment, but I never miss a story. I will comment far more often, if the alternative is less stories about her.

  16. Kiwibee says:

    Honk!
    Love Maria and Angie’s performance is top notch. The movie isn’t cold and yes the script is a bit thin.
    The whole movie is so dream like and cinematography is insane. Not sure why it didn’t get nominated for cinematography by Critics Choice.

  17. Embee says:

    Seeing these two together was incredible. I love the love and respect that they possess for one another. All the feels

  18. SarahCS says:

    HONK HONK!!

    I am loving seeing her re-emerge into the spotlight after so many years of holding herself back while she was healing. For me it has echoes of when we started to hear from the Sussexes after years of other people speaking about them.

    This seems like a wonderful pairing for the series.

  19. Duchess of Hazard says:

    Honk!

    I watched the interview twice and it was lovely to see both women respectful towards each other. Jolie was in awe of Eviro, and Eviro was so warm. This interview was a joy to watch. A joy.

  20. chill says:

    Honk, honk! I love Angie. Go girl.

  21. Brittney says:

    My adoration for this woman is beyond words at this point, but I’ve been elated to see so much coverage of her again.

    When I was 15, studying in New York for one life-changing summer, my obsession had recently begun, and she was there promoting Tomb Raider 2. I tried spotting her so many times and narrowly missed, but my roommates did meet her — shook her hand in Central Park while she was with baby Maddox. Told me how tiny and beautiful and sweet she was.

    Since then, I have hoped for a chance to tell her how much she means to me. I’m 37 now and pursuing human rights law after a decade of community organizing and fighting for immigrants and refugees. I’m also a bisexual woman who met herself for the first time thanks to Angelina. A once-unhealthy adolescent obsession has had profound affects on the trajectory of my life. She’s the reason I came out, the reason I started my school’s first queer club, the reason I carry myself with confidence, the reason I am an activist, etc.

    Anyway… my friends are in Paris right now, and flights were only $600, but I had to stay and finish my finals for school. It’s pretty difficult to reckon with this timing. I feel like that 15-year-old girl again who *just* missed her idol. I very well may have met her, finally, if I’d gone on this trip!!

    I’m even related to her, sort of — my mom and her mom grew up in the same town in Illinois, and my mom’s sister married her mom’s nephew. So… I have a first cousin by blood who is also Angelina Jolie’s cousin by blood. It sounds untrue; it’s too weird; but it’s true, and she would immediately know the family members’ names if I had a chance to tell her.

    Anyway, after fleeing my own monster of a partner earlier this year (in Paris, actually), it is especially important to me that I tell her, someday, what her presence has meant in my life, even if she hears it all day every day.

  22. Mrs. Smith says:

    I watched Maria last night and love it! I didn’t think the film was cold, it only felt like that because Maria was treated coldly by others. She withdrew into herself in her later years because she was aging and she was no longer “of value” to men like Onassis. Times haven’t changed that much, sadly, but wow it is jarring to see a woman like Maria just discarded like that.

    • Ivy says:

      That’s how it felt. She was treated horribly and that does leave you with cold feeling, but that was the whole point. To see her attempt to find her voice after years of being beat down. By the media, her peers, the people she loved, etc.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Write More on Angelina. Not commenting is not equal to not caring , tired, or bored.
    It’s full on agreement, no notes.

    Angelina is walking , healing in real time and helping the rest of us. showing us that there is no level of beautiful, wealthy, Kinder, working harder , that would have kept abuse from happening to us and our children once an abuser has trapped us. Angelina shows us it truly is about the abusers need to dominate, lie to us and about us, lie about our children, take away What makes us feel Whole , strip us, control, abuse us and then the ones we love . our children . to keep us imprisoned, trapped,Stripped.

    Angelina standing up in court and having receipts and outing, in a safe way , her and her children abuser is walking others out.

    This walks us out when we were/ are also deep in like Angelina or deeper _ and others maybe , before they get that deep in. Angelina also shows us the abuser can be ” attractive ” and wealthy and extremely Unkind.

    Angie was mute herself for years and not Speaking to others outside of her children . and slowly she is finding her voice in public after being forced to tell truths in the court setting she would have preferred to not speak of, if she and her children was not still being abused. while simultaneously being the only parent trying keep her children safe in their own healing.

    And, yes, I will start commenting when possible to slow my appreciation for you highlighting Angelina and helping the rest of us when the real is we are too broken to comment but have energy to read

  24. Amanda says:

    Nothing but complete love and support for Angelina Jolie. She deserves her flowers and so much more for the shit she has been through, and shame on Hollywood for coddling her abuser

    • Marie says:

      Love posts about AJ
      I’ve seen Maria twice and loved it more the second time. The costumes design is gorgeous as is set design. Jane Fonda got it right AJ embodies Maria Callas!! I’ve heard criticism that the movie doesn’t catch her playfulness but it is the last week of her life and she’s lost everything. Still I felt the clips of earlier years absolutely caught her playfulness. Also I heard too slow but I loved the pace. It was a piece of art!!! I think some of these critics have been living in the MC universe for too long and can’t appreciate a reall film. Hats off to AJ. And still so stunning! That face! I also love how in her last 2 movies she’s allowed “she’s too skinny” in the dialog. This and her Taylor Sheridan movie she played a fire fighter in. I enjoyed her in that too!!

  25. MaJo says:

    Never tired of La Jolie.

    Honk, honk, honk!

  26. Kristen820 says:

    I’ll be honest, I never have been a fan of Angelina. That said, I’ve softened on her. And I have always had immense respect for the work she does. I love reading about that, and her relationship with her children. Keep the stories coming!

  27. Ameerah M says:

    Haven’t commented in ages but wanted to pop on and say that I love the Angelina coverage Kaiser- keep it coming!

  28. Amberil says:

    Cynthia seems startstruck!
    This interview was wonderful. There is a light coming out of Angelina, an aura hard to describe it with words.
    She has so much grace, the way she made this interview about Cynthia and championed her ? What a woman

  29. RK says:

    100% here for La Jolie’s campaign and all of your coverage of it!

  30. jellitate says:

    Always here for Angelina!

  31. ScoobyDoobious says:

    This maybe isn’t the place for this comment, but I’ve often thought that Brad’s exes should make a film together.
    Those of us Gen X and older remember that he has SO many famous exes. Angie, Jennifer, Gwyneth, Juliette Lewis, etc.
    We know he mistreated Angie & Jennifer; not sure if the other women have spoken of that.
    The film would never mention his name but I think Hollywood would give it a lot of attention and even the public!
    They could play against type OR lean into their individual strengths. Angie known for dramatic roles, Jennifer for comedy, Gwyneth for aloof, Juliette for wacky, etc.
    It could be female produced, directed, written (Reese, Margo, Greta!)

  32. Alwyn says:

    Maria was an average biopic and I wasn’t as invested in her story as I’d hoped. At most this will be a ‘nice to be nominated’ awards season for Angelina because the movie doesn’t give her enough to do to be a serious contender. I like AJ but not with the same idolatry as others and I’m curious to know what’s the last movie of hers that her superfans saw.

    • Ameerah M says:

      I saw the last one she was in – The Eternals. And she was one of the main reasons why I saw it.

      • Grant says:

        I LOVED her in Eternals. Thena was awesome with such cool powers and I hope we get to see her again in the MCU.

      • Alwyn says:

        I forgot she was in The Eternals. My superhero fatigue has waned so I’ll give it a watch over the holidays. I last saw AJ in the film where she had to rescue a kid. It was pretty good but I prefer action Angelina any day of the week.

    • Lady D says:

      My awe of her is based on her actions and beliefs, not her movies. Acting pays her bills.

      • CLOVE says:

        Absolutely. I have been a fan since the 90’s, and I am here for everything! Her actions back up the things that she says! I love Ms. Jolie and will forever be a fan!

      • Yup, same here! I’m a fan of Angie the person first and foremost, and if she is in a movie that I like then it’s just an added bonus. I’m looking forward to Maria, but I’m going to be 100% honest and say that I don’t even care if it’s a good movie or not, I want her to win regardless. Prestige = Power in Hollywood, and Angie is going to need all of the power that she can aquire to face down her abusive stalker and his PR flying monkeys in the press, once the trial is underway. Angie and her children will always have my positive thoughts and support.

      • Alwyn says:

        I was genuinely curious if fans were still following her movie career. She hasn’t had a real box office hit in quite some time and now that Maria is already on Netflix, I wonder if she can still draw an audience to the cinemas. If she’s an inspiration to you that’s great, but as you said, acting pays the bills. And she needs a commercial success soon.

  33. PinkOrchid says:

    *honk* !!!

  34. Twin Falls says:

    HONK 🪿

  35. Justjj says:

    Behold the only relevant Queen, Her Majesty, La Jolie.

  36. Manoli says:

    Me encanta esta mujer. Es maravillosa

  37. Grant says:

    I watched Maria last night and it was wonderful. Just wonderful. Far and away my favorite of Pablo Laurrain’s iconic women trilogy and La Jolie was a goddam revelation. She was so captivating and breathed such vivid life and nuance into her portrayal of Maria Callas. One of my favorite films of the year, and one of my favorite performances.

  38. Anonymous says:

    What is not to like about Angelina – she is almost perfection!

  39. Jennifer Smith says:

    Nothing could make me happier than to scroll and scroll in order to leave this comment–I love everything Jolie-related, and I suspect the quiet around the comment section is because we are all sitting back in awe with big smiles on our faces, watching that queen rule!

  40. Zut Alors says:

    Honk for Angie 🔊🔊🔊
    I’ve watched Maria three times since its release on Wednesday and, I’ve been dying to have a discussion on it. Angelina as Maria, is simply superb.
    As for Angie herself, I’ve never seen her as this evil, predatory woman that the media has portrayed her. I see such a vulnerability in her and I’m drawn to that.
    Keep the Angie coverage coming Kaiser.

    • Weaving Cat says:

      I just watched last night. That opening scene when it’s just Angie’s face singing? My god.

    • Grant says:

      The whole movie just took my breath away. The way that Angie imbued Maria was incredible. Yes, she was tragic but Angie made her feel REAL. To be such a downer of a movie, Maria had some great, quippy lines. I just loved it. And that final scene, her swan song on the balcony. WOW. Just wow. I have goosebumps remembering it.

  41. Christy says:

    I come here specifically to look for AJ coverage. Love her!

  42. Tanisha says:

    I so want to watch this but I just cant give Cynthia the clicks. But I am definitely here for La Jolie. Keep it up

    • SAS says:

      Same, honking for Angelina but I couldn’t make it through 5 minutes of Cynthia.

      Skipped Ryan and Andrew too, but really enjoyed Paul and Ariana, Saoirse and Selena, and Nicole and Zendaya!!

  43. Ennie says:

    Well, I love Angie

  44. Anonymous says:

    Maria was very affecting. I started crying at the end when her poodles moaned after she died. She had a lot of dignity.
    Just like Angie. As the movie progressed she got more interesting once they let her speak and her true feelings came out. I enjoyed it very much. It totally engaged me after a slow start.
    It has stuck with me. It’s very emotional.
    Please keep coming with article about her. I’m always interested in anything and everything about her. She inspires me.

  45. AmyB says:

    I have been an Angelina Jolie fan since her days winning the Golden Globes for George Wallace and Gia. As much as she is one of the most beautiful women ever, it is her spirit, kindness, empathy, and tenacity that make her even more revered and loved.

    HONK for AJ coverage always!!

  46. Leah says:

    Honk, honk! I love Angelina. Keep the content coming!

  47. bergamot says:

    Honk, honk! Never too much Angelina!

  48. Briar says:

    Honk Honk!! I love her

  49. Jj says:

    Second the love for Angie!!!! Not tired of the coverage at all

  50. Barbara says:

    Honk 🙂

  51. hibernatrixe says:

    I’ve been reading this blog for well over a decade *specifically* for your AJ content and the commentariat who loves her! She is a queer femme icon and I’m so pleased to see her back on the scene ❤️‍🔥 This pairing with Cynthia was such a huge lovely surprise and I do wish there had been some finger holding lol ✨🖤✨

  52. Anonymous says:

    Honk!! I was SO scared to watch it since I found Spencer to be a disappointment but I loved it!!! The script could have been cut down some but I now see what the director had been trying to convey. A slice of life flim that took with a haunting vision.

  53. Sister Carrie says:

    Triple honk for La Jolie and Maria!

    • Stay says:

      HONK FOR ANGELINA JOLIE ALWAYS ♥

      Saw MARIA, this was honestly a beautiful shot movie and I truly loved each of the set designs and the coloring here. The coloring was so warm, but most of all i really loved the chemistry between the three main characters. it was soo loving but bittersweet seeing them interact knowing what was about to happen to Maria Callas.

      Honking a Manifestation for Angelina Jolie’s awards success.

  54. Eliza says:

    Honking for more Angela. I hope she wins everything.

  55. Jejoko says:

    Honk honk!

  56. Nadia says:

    Here only for the Jolie content…would much rather more of her and less of the royals to be honest.

  57. Trex says:

    HONK. Angelina looks like herself again. She’s glowing

  58. EllenOlenska says:

    This!
    Jolie says, “They’re a good woman if they’re apologizing. Or if they’re breaking.”

    Truer words were never spoken

  59. Catt Berlin-George says:

    Triple Honk! I love this woman, and I love how you are covering her. More!

  60. EmilyLaProfa says:

    I love the Jolie content. Honk honk honk.
    This year I have tired of the royals stories but I will never tire of Jolie. Love her!
    Ps – I think it is my first time commenting. Been reading since 2008 ish.
    Happy Holidays!

  61. Anonymous says:

    Chemistry with these girls! ❤️

  62. LOL says:

    Honk Honk Honking for Angie 🔊🔊🔊

    In my opinion Angelina Jolie has done the least promotion for her movie compared to the other actresses , even Netflix promoted Maria less compared to their massive support for Emila Perez , but Not Maria, and yet due to fans promoting it & good word of mouth Maria within 24 hours of the streaming went to top number four in the charr, that was a major achievement compared to Emilia Perez that movie didn’t even get into top 10…so again Angelinas done very less campaigning , she’s now filming her ew movie what should had been her campaign period

  63. Jes says:

    Here for angelina too.

  64. Ayda Lucero Fleck says:

    🔊🪿🔊♥️💖💜👏👏👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌❣️

  65. Big Earl says:

    Honking for more Jolie content. Also Erivo content. What a movie that would be if they worked together. Dream team.

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