Angelina Jolie, known for her exceptional acting skills, took on a remarkable challenge by delving into the world of opera for her role in 'Maria'. Despite not having a background in singing, she dedicated herself to mastering this art form, leaving audiences in awe.

Unveiling Angelina Jolie's Opera Transformation

Is Angelina Jolie Truly Singing in 'Maria'?

Angelina Jolie may not have a traditional singing background, but her performance in 'Maria' showcases her remarkable ability to take on new artistic pursuits. In Pablo Larraín's biopic, she portrays opera legend Maria Callas, bringing the final chapter of her life to life. Although she had no prior singing experience, her dedication and hard work paid off. Under the guidance of coach Eric Vetro, who has worked with renowned vocalists like Ariana Grande and Lea Michele, Jolie spent nearly seven months in intensive training. As Vetro noted in December 2024, he had never seen someone make such a significant transformation from the first day to the last. Jolie's determination to do a great job overcame any initial nervousness or shyness. Vetro recalled the thrilling moment when he heard her sing "O mio babbino caro" and knew she was the perfect person for the role. So, while there is a blend of her voice and Maria Callas' in the film, Jolie's live performances on set added authenticity to the portrayal.

During post-production, the vocal elements of the film were carefully crafted. As Larraín revealed in September 2024, sometimes you hear 1 percent of Angelina's voice, sometimes 5 percent, and sometimes it's up to 70 percent. This careful balance ensures that Callas' legendary voice remains at the center while Jolie's performance shines through.

Did Angelina Jolie Have Any Singing Background Before Filming 'Maria'?

Vetro clearly stated that Jolie started from "ground zero" with no prior singing experience. This was evident when she shared in an August 2024 press conference ahead of the movie's premiere at the Venice Film Festival that she didn't even have a singing hobby. When asked about her favorite karaoke song, she humorously admitted that she hadn't done karaoke before this project. Additionally, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that month, she revealed that a past relationship had made her doubt her singing abilities. However, she overcame these doubts and embarked on a journey to learn and grow.

Jolie's determination to prove herself in the world of opera is inspiring. She showed that with hard work and dedication, one can achieve great things even without a prior musical background.

How Did Angelina Jolie Prepare to Sing in 'Maria'?

Larraín described Jolie's training regimen as intensive, lasting for seven months. She focused on various techniques such as breathing, posture, and accent. She sang in both Italian and French, with Italian being the primary language. Mastering the pitch was a significant challenge for her, as it required the capacity to reach each note and follow the melody precisely. As Larraín pointed out, this is not like pop music where one can easily pick up a song and sing it. Opera requires extensive training and discipline. At the Venice press conference, Jolie reflected on the process and credited Larraín for giving her the time to grow. She started in a small room and ended up at La Scala, the historic Milan opera house, demonstrating her growth and progress.

Jolie's commitment to learning opera was evident in every aspect of her training. She faced difficulties but persevered, showing true dedication to the art form.

What Has Angelina Jolie Said About Her Role in 'Maria'?

Jolie's journey to becoming Maria Callas was not without its challenges. At the Venice Film Festival, she admitted to being "terribly nervous" during her first time singing. However, her sons were there to support her, blocking the door to create a more comfortable environment. This personal experience also had a profound impact on her. In an October 2024 interview with Variety, she recalled getting "really emotional" on her first day of singing lessons. The process of finding her voice was a transformative one, allowing her to release emotions she had been holding inside. She even shared that singing class was the best therapy she had ever had.

Despite the nerve-wracking process, Jolie now has a newfound admiration for opera and opera singers. She expressed her love and respect for the art form and its composers, highlighting the beauty of the arias. It was a great gift for her to be trained in something new at this stage of her life.