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Growing up can be a challenge. There's a lot to consider when the body goes through physical, emotional, and psychological changes that are hard to understand.Because of this, it's sometime easy to forget to just try and let kids be kids in whatever way they want to be as they grow into teens and adults. In the case of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, this is exactly what her superstar parents are doing for her.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Requested An Unofficial Name Change At Age 2
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt has had anything but a normal childhood. Her parents Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are only some of the biggest movie stars that modern history has ever seen, and she shares their love and attention with 5 other siblings.
With her unusually glamorous upbringing came about the desire to fit in and be more like her older brothers, so her hair was cut shorter. But when she was as young as 2 years old, she made another odd but innocent request to her family. She made it clear that she was only to be addressed as "John" or "Peter".
Brad Pitt Explains The Idea Behind The Names 'John' and 'Peter'
In an interview with Oprah in 2008, Oprah asked Brad Pitt which of his children are the funniest, and he replied saying that they were all funny without meaning to be, however Shiloh probably has the more interesting quirks.
In a quote from the interview, he's stated saying, “She only wants to be called John. John or Peter. So it’s a Peter Pan thing,” he says. “So we’ve got to call her John. ‘Shi, do you want …’ – ‘John. I’m John.’ And then I’ll say, ‘John, would you like some orange juice?’ And she goes, ‘No!’ So, you know, it’s just that kind of stuff that’s cute to parents, and it’s probably really obnoxious to other people.”
Along with the name change request, it's been reported that Shiloh also opts for more gender-neutral clothing when she's out and about. During red carpet events, she's even been spotted wearing black suits with slacks and ties. With her short hair slicked back and no makeup, she shows her natural beauty in her very own style.
Angelina Jolie was quoted by E! Online in 2010 reflecting on her daughter's unique sense of style. "Shiloh, we feel has Montenegro style. It's how people dress there. She likes tracksuits, she likes [regular] suits. So it's a suit with a tie and a jacket and slacks, or a tracksuit. She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys' everything. She thinks she's one of the brothers."
Angelina Jolie Shows Immense Support As Shiloh Explores Her Style
As some parents would see this as a cause for alarm, Angelina Jolie has expressed no concern, suggesting that this is just a way of showing off her individuality. Angelina, ever supportive of her child, opened up about Shiloh's unique mannerisms in an interview with DailyMail UK.
In her interview, she's quoted saying, "I don’t think it’s for the world to interpret anything. She likes to dress like a boy and wants her hair cut like a boy, and she wanted to be called John for a while. Some kids wear capes and want to be Superman, and she wants to be like her brothers. It’s who she is. It’s been a surprise to us, and it’s really interesting, but she’s so much more than that – she’s funny and sweet and pretty. But she does love a tie."
However, it seems like Shiloh's style might be shifting again. During the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of the film Eternals in October 2021, she did something way different and showed up in a tan colored handkerchief hem dress with white ballet flats and gold anklets with her long hair pulled back in a low bun.
This was the first time she's appeared on the red carpet in a dress. Only time will tell if this is to be a new era of fashion for the young teen. But one thing's for certain; she and her siblings will always be loved and supported by her parents. Angelina Jolie has stated that she is teaching them to "be their true selves and teaching them to be able to hold on to that… We are all born powerful… We just get a lot that breaks us down… I hope they are soft, I hope they are kind, and I hope they feel strong enough to protect that."