Who would’ve thought that Brad Pitt, Hollywood’s golden boy, would end up pouring his soul out in an AA circle? But here we are. In a surprisingly candid interview on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Pitt revealed he was “on his knees” emotionally after his explosive 2016 divorce from Angelina Jolie. Yes, that divorce—the one that turned a private jet into a courtroom battlefield.
Pitt’s admission isn’t just a sob story; it’s the latest move in what’s starting to look like a very calculated image rehab campaign. And spoiler: it’s working.
Brad Pitt Joins AA and Opens the Emotional Floodgates
After the Jolie split, Brad Pitt says he checked himself into Alcoholics Anonymous. A-listers—they’re just like us, right? Apparently so. Pitt described the meetings as “really special,” full of men baring their souls with “honesty and humor.” At first, he was shy and ashamed -as he should-, but the openness around him gave him permission to finally confront the “ugly sides” of himself.
Brad Pitt got candid about going to his first AA meeting after his divorce. 🎥: “Armchair Expert” pic.twitter.com/6J06suEY9q
— Page Six (@PageSix) June 23, 2025
He got so into it, he started talking about it publicly. But plot twist: AA wasn’t thrilled. Pitt was “reprimanded” for breaking the group’s sacred vow of anonymity.
Jet-Fueled Scandal: The Private Plane Fight That Tore the Jolie-Pitt Empire Apart
Let’s rewind to the moment things really hit turbulence—literally. In 2016, Jolie filed for divorce after a now-infamous private jet incident in which she claimed Brad Pitt was verbally and physically abusive toward her and the kids. FBI and child services got involved. Charges? None. But the public damage? Massive.
What followed was years of dirty laundry, including a custody battle, lawsuits over their French winery Château Miraval, and reports that several of their children wanted nothing to do with him. Maddox and Pax? Estranged. Shiloh? Legally dropped the “Pitt.” Vivienne? Just “Jolie” now.
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Brad didn’t lose custody—but he definitely lost control of the family narrative.
The Strategic Comeback of Brad Pitt
Instead of clapping back, Pitt went low-key. A little too low-key, some might say. He didn’t fire off interviews or defend himself on talk shows. He just… got quiet. Smart move.
Read also: Angelina Jolie Drops Lawsuit Against FBI Over Alleged Brad Pitt Abuse Investigation
He focused on films (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood bagged him an Oscar), therapy, and apparently some very intense AA meetings. Hollywood loves a comeback story, and Pitt leaned into it hard. Cue a serious PR glow-up: clean, sober, and dating someone non-famous (Ines de Ramon, jewelry designer).
He’s also returning to the big screen soon with a flashy F1 film. Coincidence? Hardly. This is a man on a mission: win back the public, the prestige, and maybe even some of that lost Pitt mystique.
So, has Brad Pitt really changed? Or is this all part of Hollywood’s most polished image makeover?
Whatever the case, the world’s watching. From AA circles to red carpets, he’s slowly rewriting his story—one carefully timed confession at a time. Maybe it’s personal growth, maybe it’s PR genius…
