Angelina Jolie reveals she was told she couldn't sing

In a recent conversation with Cynthia Erivo during Variety's Actors on Actors series, Angelina Jolie reflected on the challenging journey she faced while portraying the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. The discussion took place amidst Jolie's preparations for the film, where she dedicated seven months to preparing for the role, which included a significant commitment of three months for filming. Through this process, Jolie confronted her fears of singing, which had been exacerbated by a dismissive comment from someone in her life, leading her to believe that she couldn't sing. This realization drove her to embrace the challenge of singing live on set, ultimately evolving from terror to gratitude as the production progressed. Erivo, who was excited about playing Elphaba in Wicked, expressed enthusiasm about the live singing aspect of acting, which she finds exhilarating. In contrast, Jolie shared that, although daunting, this same live singing became a transformative experience for her. Initially opting to sing in a small room, she gradually built her confidence, allowing her to engage in the live performances required for the role. Throughout this process, Jolie discovered many emotions tied to her portrayal, given the weight of personal experiences related to her insecurities about singing. This vulnerability has heightened her commitment to authenticity in the role of Callas, capturing the complexities of the iconic diva's character during a pivotal time in her life. Jolie recalled that the seed of her journey in singing was planted by a moment from her past when someone laughed at her attempts to sing, which deeply impacted her confidence. She articulated that, without this project, she might have never confronted her fears and missed the chance to discover her voice. As she navigated through her emotional landscape, Jolie expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity presented by her role and acknowledged how the experience transformed her perspective towards her talent and self-expression. Now looking forward to the release of the film, Jolie's portrayal has already garnered critical appreciation, with the film receiving a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and her performance earning a nomination for the Golden Globes in the category of Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. She is also in contention for the Critics Choice Award for Best Actress, competing against talented actresses such as Cynthia Erivo, Karla Sofia Gascon, and Demi Moore, among others. This journey has not only highlighted Jolie's skills as an actress but also her growth as an individual, opening up new avenues of expression that she previously felt were out of reach.