Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s twins Knox and Vivienne have spent their entire lives in the spotlight, yet few celebrity children have worked harder to stay out of it.
Now, as the famous siblings approach a major milestone and prepare to celebrate their 18th birthdays next month, rare glimpses into their lives are revealing the young adults they have become.
Just days ago, Knox quietly marked another significant achievement when he graduated from high school. In a video shared on social media, the teenager appeared excited about what lay ahead, even telling fellow graduates that he would be competing in a Muay Thai event later that evening.
“Tonight, I’m gonna be fighting at Total Sonic Knockout 5 at 12:45 a.m., so catch me,” the teen told the crowd and his mother at the event.
The moment offered a rare insight into the life of the notoriously private teenager, who has largely stayed away from public events in recent years.
While Knox has developed a passion for martial arts, twin sister Vivienne has been pursuing a very different creative path.
© Getty ImagesGrowing up away from the spotlight
Despite being born into one of Hollywood’s most famous families, Angelina has long been determined to give her children as much privacy as possible.
“None of my children want to be in front of the camera,” Angelina revealed during an appearance on Good Morning America in 2024. “They’re quite private. Shiloh’s extremely private. They weren’t born with privacy. So I hope they can have that as they grow.”
It is a philosophy that has shaped the lives of all six Jolie-Pitt children: Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 17.
The family first introduced the twins to the world shortly after their birth in July 2008, selling their baby photographs and donating the proceeds to charity.
Reflecting on the decision years later, Angelina explained that it was largely about protecting her family.
“It was a strange thing to have to do or to do, but it was the better option,” she said at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. “They were coming for it, and it was a safety concern as well.”
© GC ImagesVivienne’s special bond with Angelina
Of all the Jolie-Pitt children, Vivienne has perhaps followed her mother’s creative world most closely. She famously appeared alongside Angelina in 2014’s Maleficent, playing the young Princess Aurora opposite her mother’s iconic portrayal of the Disney villain.
At the time, Angelina revealed that Vivienne landed the role for one simple reason.”The other three- and four-year-olds wouldn’t come near me,” she told British Vogue. “It had to be a child that liked me and wasn’t afraid of my horns and my eyes and my claws. So it had to be Viv.”
More recently, Vivienne worked behind the scenes alongside Angelina on the Broadway production of The Outsiders, serving as a production assistant and helping bring the acclaimed musical to life.
When Angelina first signed on as a producer, a source close to the actress told HELLO!: “Angelina is excited about this new venture. She believes this is a musical for all ages, but particularly resonates with young people.
“So she wants to ensure the team is listening and working with young people every step of the way, and that their voices are leading in bringing this production to life on Broadway.”
The experience appeared particularly meaningful for Angelina, who later compared Vivienne to her own late mother, Marcheline Bertrand.
“Viv reminds me of my mother in that she isn’t focused on being the centre of attention but in being a support to other creatives,” Angelina shared. “She’s very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.”
© WireImageTalents beyond Hollywood
Although Angelina has repeatedly said her children have little interest in acting careers, creativity remains a major part of family life.
Knox, Pax, Zahara and Shiloh all lent their voices to Kung Fu Panda 3, while Maddox and Pax later worked behind the scenes as production assistants on Angelina’s biopic Maria.
Shiloh has also attracted attention for her dance talent, appearing in a music video for K-pop star Doechii collaborator Dayoung.
Speaking previously about her children’s brief experiences on set, Angelina admitted acting was never the goal. “They don’t really want to be actors,” she said. “But I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. They came in, and they had a lot of fun with it.”
© WireImageA new chapter ahead
As Knox and Vivienne prepare to enter adulthood, Angelina has spoken openly about looking toward the next stage of her life.
The Oscar-winning actress previously revealed that once her youngest children turned 18, she hoped to spend more time outside Los Angeles.
© Getty Images“I grew up in this town,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I am here because I have to be here from a divorce, but as soon as they’re 18, I’ll be able to leave.”
For now, however, Knox and Vivienne continue to chart their own paths largely away from public scrutiny.
© Getty ImagesWhether it’s Knox pursuing his passion for martial arts or Vivienne helping bring Broadway productions to life behind the scenes, the twins appear determined to build lives on their own terms — far from the glare of Hollywood that has followed them since birth.
Read the full article here
