Angelina Jolie is bravely sharing the emotional journey she undertook in rediscovering her voice for the role of Maria. This experience has had a profound impact on her, as she delves into the therapeutic aspects of learning to sing opera.

Unlock the Emotional Power of Rediscovering Your Voice

Learning to Sing: A Therapeutic Journey

When the 49-year-old Oscar winner sat down with Cynthia Erivo for Variety's "Actors on Actors" series, Jolie revealed her initial fear of learning to sing opera. She credited director Pablo Larraín with providing the right resources, including Italian classes and opera singing lessons. However, she also emphasized that the process was not just about mastering the technical aspects but about finding and expressing her own voice. "People keep quoting me because I made, not the mistake— I admitted it was like a therapy. But it really is," she said. "Because I didn’t realize the practice of it and the learning of it is one thing, but it was finding my voice and letting my voice out that was really hard for me. And I was really emotional about it."This journey of rediscovering her voice was deeply personal for Jolie. She shared that she didn't realize how much she had lost her voice over the years. It could have been due to the loss of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 56 after battling ovarian and breast cancer. Or it could have been the result of other emotional wounds. "So finding it and letting it come out was very emotional, and such a feeling that I wish for everybody to have."

The Impact on Her Career

Since her mother's death, Jolie has been busy with various projects. However, Maria is her first film since 2021's Marvel movie Eternals. Stepping back in front of the camera to portray Maria Callas had a significant impact on her. "I wish everybody could know what you feel when you sing at the top of your beautiful voice, and you know what can come out of your body," she told Erivo. "And it’s not just what you can do for an audience or how you tell a story, it’s that you can make that sound. Maria said something; she said she doesn’t like to hear records because they’re perfect."This role allowed Jolie to explore a new side of herself and connect with a powerful emotion through singing. It was a chance for her to heal and express herself in a way that she hadn't before.

Portraying a Complex Character

As Jolie and Erivo discussed their respective roles in Maria and Wicked, Erivo pointed out that audiences don't often see "these bigger-than-life women" on the big screen. Jolie responded by highlighting the similarities between her character and Maria. Both women came from a place of being alone since childhood and feeling different for various reasons. Maria didn't have a mother who loved her and told her she was enough. This added depth to Jolie's portrayal and made it even more meaningful.Maria is now streaming on Netflix, allowing audiences to witness Jolie's transformation and the emotional journey she went through. It is a testament to her talent and courage as an actress.