When Angelina Jolie kissed her brother on the mouth during the 2000 Oscars, the media erupted with sensational headlines, branding the act as "incestuous."
However, few were aware of the profound reason that underpinned these seemingly controversial displays of affection.
The initial instance of Angelina Jolie kissing her brother, James Haven, occurred during the Oscars ceremony in 2000. The photograph of this moment went viral, triggering a wave of divided reactions.
Jolie fueled the controversy by stating that she was "in love" with her brother, inviting negative comments and speculation on social media. Subsequently, similar incidents were reported in the press on at least two more occasions.
Unbeknownst to many, there was a deeply personal reason behind each of these kisses. Cis Rundle, a close friend of Angelina Jolie, shed light on the true nature of these moments. According to Rundle, the day of the first public kiss coincided with devastating news for the siblings – the beginning of their mother Marcheline Bertrand's treatment for ovarian cancer.
This marked the commencement of a challenging journey that eventually claimed their mother's life seven years later and prompted Jolie to undergo a preventive double mastectomy.
Rundle emphasized that the Oscars kiss occurred on the very day Marcheline started her cancer treatment. Jolie and Haven, facing this emotional ordeal together, left the hospital and prepared for the awards ceremony side by side. Rundle clarified that the public was unaware of the family's private struggles, and the seemingly gesture was, in fact, a reflection of their mutual support during a trying period.
In essence, Rundle conveyed that the kiss symbolized their solidarity and shared strength during a difficult time. The close relationship between Angelina Jolie, James Haven, and their mother, coupled with Jolie's professional triumph at the 2000 Oscars, made the public misinterpretation of their actions all the more poignant.
