Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt's daughter reveals 'mental health,' 'eating disorder' struggles
What's the story
Vivienne Jolie, the daughter of Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has revealed that she was hospitalized for an eating disorder earlier this year. The 18-year-old made this revelation in a deeply personal statement at her art exhibition in Los Angeles, visited by Page Six. In her statement titled "The Tulip Field," she wrote, "Like many, I have struggled with mental health. I have also struggled with an eating disorder. I was angry, sick, and very alone."
Support received
'I have never laughed or cried harder'
Despite her struggles, Jolie found solace in the compassion of fellow young patients and hospital staff.
She wrote, "Eventually, however, the kindness and warmth of the kids and staff at the hospital broke down the walls I had built so high."
"I have never laughed or cried harder, never been more honest or more myself."
Strength in adversity
'It was the worst and best time of my life'
Jolie also credited the other children at the hospital for teaching her how to be strong during her weakest moments.
She wrote, "The other kids there taught me how to be strong when you are at your weakest."
"It was the worst and best time of my life...and I am better for it."
The emotional revelation was part of her art exhibition, "The Tulip Field: A Gallery on Patience of Patients," held from November 2-8 at Forager Crafts in LA.
Exhibition details
Exhibition named after the hospital where she got treatment
Jolie named her exhibition after the hospital where she received treatment, which she referred to as "The Tulip Field."
She explained that the paintings represented memories from her time there, including moments of sadness, laughter, safety, and bravery.
"Moments of hopelessness, moments I couldn't stop laughing, moments of safety, moments of bravery," she wrote.
Art as memory
No photographs taken during her hospitalization
Jolie also revealed, "There are of course no photographs of our time at the Tulip Field, so these are our memories, our purest memories, preserved."
A source told the outlet, "It took a lot of strength and courage for Vivienne to open up about something so personal."
"If sharing her story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them the courage to reach out and get the help they need, then it was worth it."
Name change
Jolie legally dropped Pitt from her name
Jolie revelation about her hospitalization comes just days after she made headlines for legally dropping Pitt from her last name.
Earlier this month, a court granted her request to change her name.
She had previously dropped Pitt from her professional name when credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill for the Broadway musical The Outsiders, which she co-produced with her mother.