Angelina Jolie Recalls Being 'Shaky' Her 'First Time Singing' forMaria. How Her Sons Helped Her Nerves

Mar. 15, 2025

Angelina Joliehit the ground running at theVenice Film Festival, giving more insight into her upcoming filmMaria.

During a press conference ahead of the movie’s premiere on Thursday, Aug. 29, the Oscar-winning actress opened up about preparing for therole of opera singer Maria Callas, admitting she had her fair share of nerves but was able to power through thanks to the help of some people very close to her.

“I was terribly nervous; I spent almost seven months training,” said Jolie, 49. “My first time singing, I remember being so nervous. My sons were there and they helped to block the door [so] that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky.”

“And [directorPablo Larraín], in his decency, started me in a small room and ended me in La Scala,” she added. “So he gave me time to grow. I was frightened to live up to [Callas].”

Asked later in the press conference if she has a favorite karaoke song to do, the actress quipped, “I didn’t sing before this [movie] so I haven’t done karaoke, but now maybe I have a few!”

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Angelina Jolie arrives the Hotel Excelsior during the 81st Venice Film Festival on Aug. 29, 2024, in Venice, Italy.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty

Mariais based on true accounts of Callas' life and career and will go in depth about the beautiful and tragic story of the singer, who is renowned as one of the greatest opera stars of all time.

Larraín, 48, continues his biographical filmmaking after havingKristen StewartasPrincess DianainSpencerandNatalie Portmanas former First LadyJacqueline Kennedy OnassisinJackie, and he hopes to continue the success with Jolie inMaria.

Angelina Jolie, Maria Callas.Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty; Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

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Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas inMaria(2024).Pablo Larraín

Pablo Larraín

Mariawill mark Jolie’s return to the big screen after last starring in 2021’s superhero flickEternals.

Jolie expressed her and her children’s excitement for the Marvel film back in 2021, but later toldVoguein September 2023 that she was currently “in transition as a person,” adding, “I feel a bit down these days. Idon’t feel like I’ve been myself for a decade."

During the Thursday press conference at Venice, she said, “I’ve needed to be home more with my family these last years, and in that time, I’ve maybe become more grateful to have the opportunity to … be in this creative world that we are all fortunate to be a part of.”

The Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 7.

source: people.com