How Shiloh Jolie-Pitt transformed from being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s child to LGBTQ+ idol
The LGBTQ+ icon has been making headlines since birth, and has garnered an incredible following among LGBTQ+ kids for her street style
Shiloh’s reputation precedes her. She became international press fodder; it was reported People and UK-based Hello wanted to purchase the rights to Shiloh’s first pictures for US$4.1 million and US$3.5 million dollars respectively. Angelina and Brad donated the hefty amount to charity.
Since Shiloh’s birth was gaining media frenzy from the press, the couple had to fly to Namibia in Africa in 2006 to not only ensure her safe delivery but for the protection and privacy of their child as well.
Jolie and Pitt formed their family in an unconventional way. Jolie already had two kids – Pax and Zahara – before she and Pitt became romantically involved. In 2005, when they finally went public, the couple, known in the media as “Brangelina”, confirmed they were expecting Shiloh, their first baby. As Pitt came into the picture, Maddox and Zahara’s last names were changed to Jolie-Pitt, and Pitt’s legal adoptions of the children were soon finalised.
Much like her parents, Shiloh is not the stereotypical kid. At a young age, she knew herself, breaking the mould and defying expectations. In a 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Pitt opened up about raising Shiloh, discussing his daughter’s quirk: “She only wants to be called John. John or Peter. It’s a Peter Pan thing. And then I’ll say, ‘John, would you like some orange juice?’ And she goes, ‘No!’”
Shiloh soon started to assert her identity. Jolie told Vanity Fair in a 2010 interview that she has been exploring her gender since she was three. “She wants to be a boy,” Jolie said. “So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boy clothes. She thinks she’s one of her brothers.”
As she has grown up, Shiloh has generated buzz with her tomboyish and androgynous fearless chic style. She was always encouraged by her parents to dress the way she wanted. As a child, she would don casual separates – polo shirts, jackets, blazers, shorts, dark trousers, jeans and oversized tracksuits. Complementing this is her dramatic haircut – she kept her hair parted to the side, but went for a short pixie style that looked masculine.
Shiloh’s street style earned her a credible following among LGBTQ+ kids – raising the bar on queer dressing – but it’s her red carpet looks that have scored serious style points. When Shiloh’s parents would attend and bring her to premiere events, she eschewed gowns and dresses in favour of suits similar to what her dad wore.
