Angelina Jolie Opens Up About Vulnerability, Loss at 'Couture' Premiere

Angelina Jolie turned heads at a Tuesday evening screening of her latest film, Couture, held at The Whitby Hotel in New York City on June 16. The acclaimed actress greeted admirers outside the venue before stepping inside for the event, dressed in an elegant Tom Ford strapless draped evening gown paired with patent leather vertigo ankle strap pumps. She later posed for additional photos wearing a cream-colored jacket draped over the ensemble.

In Couture, Jolie takes on the role of Maxine, an American filmmaker navigating a breast cancer diagnosis while based in Europe. The character's storyline carries particular resonance for the star, whose mother Marcheline Bertrand succumbed to ovarian and breast cancer in 2007. Following a genetic test that revealed she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy.

Speaking with People magazine, Jolie described the film as "a beautifully written piece about women from different countries." She expanded on the film's themes, saying: "It has something to say that I thought could be useful to people, showing how everyone is dealing with things that make us very human, and that if we can figure out how to live through challenges by leaning on each other and having more empathy towards one another, the better and less alone we will be."

The actress was candid about her own emotional readiness for such a vulnerable role. "I am not sure I was strong enough even five years ago to do this. To be open and trusting to share and be vulnerable again," she reflected. "Things happen in life that take us off path. We lose ourselves and we feel isolated."

Jolie also paid tribute to her late mother during the conversation. "I would have given anything to have my mother alive to be there for her grandchildren," she shared.

The appearance comes shortly after one of Jolie's children with Brad Pitt took legal action to remove her ex-husband's surname, with Zahara Jolie-Pitt filing the paperwork last week.