Angelina Jolie on Embodying Maria Callas: Finding Solace in Loneliness and Relearning the Art of Living

 

Angelina Jolie on Embodying Maria Callas: Finding Solace in Loneliness and Relearning the Art of Living

Angelina Jolie is no stranger to transformation. From her iconic performances in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider to her Oscar-winning role in Girl, Interrupted, she has consistently proven her ability to step into the shoes of complex characters. Yet, her latest role as Maria Callas, one of the most revered opera singers in history, has pushed Jolie into a realm of profound emotional and physical discovery. In embodying Callas, Jolie not only delves into the life of a musical legend but also reflects on her own struggles with loneliness, resilience, and rediscovering the fundamentals of existence—beginning with something as elemental as breathing.

A Legend Reborn: Why Maria Callas?

Maria Callas, often referred to as “La Divina,” is a name that conjures images of unparalleled vocal talent and immense personal tragedy. Her life was as operatic as the roles she performed on stage, marked by her meteoric rise in the opera world, her passionate yet tumultuous love affairs, and her haunting sense of isolation despite her fame.

For Jolie, the opportunity to portray Callas was more than just a chance to play an extraordinary character. It was an invitation to explore the duality of a woman who was both celebrated and deeply misunderstood.

“When I read about Maria’s life, I was struck by how similar our journeys felt in certain ways,” Jolie revealed in a candid interview. “She was an icon, a perfectionist, and someone who poured every ounce of her soul into her art. But behind the curtain, she was a woman searching for love, connection, and meaning—just like the rest of us.”

The project also allowed Jolie to pay homage to a woman who redefined her art form, transforming opera into a medium capable of expressing raw, visceral emotion. “Maria didn’t just sing,” Jolie said. “She lived every note, every phrase. To capture even a fraction of that intensity was both daunting and inspiring.”

Loneliness as a Shared Language

One of the most compelling parallels between Callas and Jolie is their experience of loneliness. Callas, despite being adored by millions, often spoke about feeling deeply isolated, a sentiment echoed in her letters and diaries. Her love life was riddled with heartbreak, most famously her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, who ultimately left her for Jacqueline Kennedy.

Jolie, too, has faced her share of solitude. A globally recognized actress, humanitarian, and mother of six, she has often been in the public eye yet has spoken openly about moments of profound isolation.

“Loneliness is something that doesn’t discriminate,” Jolie shared. “You can be surrounded by people and still feel entirely alone. That’s something Maria and I both understood on a very personal level.”

For Jolie, playing Callas was a way to explore and make peace with this shared experience of loneliness. “Maria’s loneliness wasn’t just sadness—it was also a source of her strength,” Jolie explained. “It forced her to turn inward, to confront herself, and ultimately to create art that touched millions. That’s something I’ve learned to embrace in my own life as well.”

The Breath of Life: Relearning How to Breathe

One of the most transformative aspects of Jolie’s preparation for the role was learning to control her breath. Opera singers like Callas rely on extraordinary mastery of their breath to deliver the powerful, sustained vocals that define their performances. For Jolie, this meant months of training with vocal coaches, not to become a singer herself but to embody the physicality and presence of a performer like Callas.

“Breathing is everything in opera,” Jolie said. “It’s the foundation of the voice, but it’s also a metaphor for life. If you can control your breath, you can control your emotions, your energy, and your focus.”

This training had a profound impact on Jolie beyond the role. She described how learning to breathe like Callas helped her reconnect with her own body and emotions.

“Breathing is something so simple, but when you slow down and pay attention to it, it can ground you in ways you never thought possible,” Jolie explained. “For Maria, her breath was her power. For me, it became a way to find balance in a chaotic world.”

Jolie shared that this focus on breath has even influenced her daily life, helping her manage stress and approach challenges with greater clarity. “It’s a gift Maria gave me, and it’s something I’ll carry with me long after this film.”

The Physical Transformation

To bring Callas to life on screen, Jolie underwent a meticulous physical transformation. Working with a team of makeup artists and costume designers, she adopted Callas’s signature look, from her dramatic eyeliner to her elegant couture gowns. But the transformation wasn’t just skin deep.

“Maria had a presence, a poise that came from within,” Jolie said. “It wasn’t just about looking like her; it was about feeling her. Every movement, every gesture had to reflect her grace and intensity.”

Jolie immersed herself in Callas’s world, studying her performances, interviews, and personal writings. She even worked with a dialect coach to perfect Callas’s distinct voice and manner of speaking. “It was a full-body experience,” Jolie admitted. “Every detail mattered because Maria herself was all about details—she demanded perfection, and I wanted to honor that.”

Embracing Vulnerability Through Art

As she delved deeper into Callas’s life, Jolie found herself confronting her own vulnerabilities. The process of becoming Callas required her to open herself up in ways she hadn’t expected.

“Maria taught me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength,” Jolie said. “She poured her pain, her love, and her longing into her music, and it became something universal. That’s what art is supposed to do.”

Jolie hopes that her portrayal of Callas will resonate with audiences not just as a biographical performance but as a celebration of the human spirit. “Maria’s story isn’t just about opera or fame—it’s about the resilience of the human soul. She showed us that even in our darkest moments, we have the power to create beauty.”

A Journey of Healing and Discovery

For Jolie, playing Maria Callas has been more than just a role—it’s been a journey of healing and self-discovery. Through Callas, she has found a deeper understanding of herself and a renewed appreciation for the complexities of life.

“I think we all have a bit of Maria in us,” Jolie reflected. “We all struggle, we all search for meaning, and we all have the capacity to create something beautiful out of our experiences.”

As Jolie prepares to bring Callas’s story to the big screen, she hopes the film will inspire audiences to embrace their own vulnerabilities and find strength in their struggles. “Maria’s life was messy, passionate, and imperfect—but that’s what made it real. That’s what made it extraordinary.”

In stepping into the shoes of one of history’s most enigmatic figures, Angelina Jolie has not only paid tribute to Maria Callas but also reminded us all of the power of art, resilience, and the simple act of breathing through it all.