Brad Pitt is supporting Nicole Kidman’s Oscar bid as ‘a way of getting back' at Angelina Jolie
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In the glitzy world of Hollywood, alliances and rivalries often intertwine, and this year's Oscar race is no exception.
Brad Pitt, usually a behind-the-scenes player thanks to his production company Plan B's involvement with the buzz-worthy film 'Nickel Boys', is reportedly taking an active interest in Nicole Kidman's upcoming project, 'Babygirl'.
An inside claimed that Pitt is not just cheering for Kidman; he's doing it with a motive that suggests a bit of strategic revenge against his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie.
Brad Pitt backs Nicole Kidman as Oscar race with Angelina Jolie heats up
While Brad Pitt, 60, and Nicole Kidman, 57, have had limited interactions over the past two decades, their history is richer than it appears. The actor originally envisioned making 'Mr & Mrs Smith' alongside Kidman before she exited the project, paving the way for Angelina Jolie to step in.
Now, as the Oscar race heats up, it seems Pitt sees an opportunity to help Kidman secure a coveted Best Actress nomination—a title that may very well slip from Jolie's grasp, despite her frontrunner status for her role as Maria Callas in the biopic 'Maria'.
"Essentially, Brad was friendly with Nicole 20 years ago when he was preparing to make Mr & Mrs Smith, but is only recently reviving their relationship," shares the source. "I think he would have befriended her much earlier in her career, but Brad made a point of steering clear of Nicole in the nineties because he and Tom Cruise disliked each other so much after making Interview With a Vampire together.”
Brad Pitt steps into the spotlight as Nicole Kidman’s unlikely champion
Now, however, Brad Pitt is reportedly throwing his weight behind Nicole Kidman's performance in 'Babygirl', even attending private screenings and openly expressing his admiration. “In 2024, Brad has emerged as a real supporter of Nicole for her work in Babygirl and has even attended private industry screenings of the movie with Nicole, where he made no secret of how much he likes the film and her work in it,” the insider reveals, per In Touch.
“Having Brad be her biggest cheerleader is something totally new for Nicole, and it’s a giant help as she gets the word out about this movie!” But the dynamics become even more intriguing when considering Kidman's ties to Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, friendships that blossomed after Aniston's split from Pitt.
Angelina Jolie's 'Maria' sparks Oscar buzz
"Of course, Nicole is also pals with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon," the insider notes. "This support, which is meaningful to Nicole and her campaign, is really just Brad’s way of getting back at Angelina."
Jolie, 49, is fully invested in her portrayal of Callas, having trained for seven months for the role. Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, critics have reacted positively to 'Maria', igniting speculation about an Oscar nod for the actress. “This role means everything to Angie,” another source shares. “Angie is assuming the identity of a woman who was every bit the glamorous star she once was and can be the kind of film that vaults her right back to the top!”
