So, it’s that time of the day in the EW offices when thoughts naturally turn to Brad Pitt. It’s been a long road for the Missouri golden boy — he started as shirtless chick-bait in Thelma and Louise, achieved hairy-dreamboat status in Legends of the Fall, went dark for Fight Club, and now seems happy floating on the velvet cloud that is the Ocean’s Whatever Number We’re On, Does It Really Matter? Look How Attractive And Witty All My Friends Are franchise while simultaneously riding a lot of motorcycles and trying to change the world, especially the world’s curious ability to ignore the ongoing wreckage of post-Katrina New Orleans.
It’s hard not to applaud the journey within his personal life as well: From an early fling with Juliette Lewis, through the preppyland perfection of his relationship with Gwyneth, to the blond-streaked golden years with Jen, he maintained a unique ability to look exactly like whomever he was dating at the time; now, of course, he’s made a fascinating multi-ethnic family with Angelina Jolie, mother of a thousand nations. It’s sweet. He’s happy.
So happy, in fact, that in the October issue of Esquire, he says he won’t marry Angelina Jolie until– well, let him say it: "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able." By "everyone else" he means "gay people." And by saying that, he has taken a powerful and potentially controversial stand (and effectively made US Weekly into the nation’s biggest supporter of gay marriage, because you just know they were banking on that cover story to make their third-quarter budget in 2007).
It’s an interesting theory, although not a new one — the women’s studies major and her filmmaker boyfriend who hang out at your neighborhood bohemian bar have probably been heard professing a similar vow of no-marriage-until-equality for years now — and it’s got me thinking: What other celebrity couples would we like to see remain unmarried? (You’ll recall that Charlize Theron made a similar statement a few years ago.) Personally I’m voting for David Spade and Heather Locklear. You? And do you think the protests of a dreamboat actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador can change the state of gay rights in America?
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Brad Pitt – you stink!
You’re useing gays as a way not to pop the question to A.J. We know already you’re not planning on getting married in the first place, why not just say it.
This is another clear cut case of “gotta geta gay, Mickey, gotta get a gay”. That’s what Valerie Cherish said to her hair dresser Mickey when the publisist turned her down.
The gays are turning you down Brad Pitt – you old man!
You know Ed, Angelina can pop the question herself if she really wanted to marry him. She’s not a victim.
Preacher’s kid? The last I heard his father was a retired trucking manager and his mother was a school counselor, and they both disassociated themselves from the Southern Baptist church.
I believe Charlize Theron made an announcement that she and her actor boyfriend wouldn’t get married until gays had the same rights to marriage as she. Do I think Brad and Angelina are riding coat tails? NO, especially since Angelina has rumored to be linked to a few lesbian trysts, I think that not only as an attractive couple, but also holding alot of Hollywood clout, that this is a wonderful endorsement on their part, though I don’t see it changing the collective consciousness on the subject any time soon.
And as far as celebrity couples that should remain unmarried, my vote goes to Janet Jackson & Jermaine Dupri.
Unmarried?
Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon
Goldie and Kurt
The only way that straight couples can change society in this way if enough of them start doing it and it hurts the gazillion dollar bridal/wedding industry –because you gotta have corporations behind policy change these days. Corporations being the new countries and all.
While I applaud Brad’s stance on marriage/gay rights, I find it disgusting – - and tragic – - that anyone would “applaud” his romantic life. There is nothing applause-worthy about cheating on your wife, divorcing her, and marrying the homewrecker.
Lets not forget Shannon Tweed and Gene Simmons.
Kudos to Brad and Angelina for saying no to marriage until everyone is allowed to marry.
Are Brad and Angelina forgetting that both of them have been married before?!?!? This is just Brad and Angelina coming up with an excuse as to why they won’t get married to each other! Save us the melodramatic “taking a powerful and potentially controversial stand” crap. THEY JUST DON’T WANT TO GET MARRIED!
It’s never been confirmed that Brad cheated on Jennifer. Jennifer isn’t even sure so how can you be?
Aw…I think I just fell in love with Brad Pitt all over again. LOL Seriously, though, it’s nice when people in positions of influence (even celebrities) support gay rights. Thanks, Brad!
For so long I have wanted to marry my Yorkie Terrier, Mr. Sniffles, but the United States says it’s illegal to marry pets. How dare they try to tell me what to do.
Thank you, Brangelina! I know that my wedding day will come sooner than later, now that you’re in my corner.
Anna you missed the point completely you knucklehead. Who said anything about victimization, of course she could but she isn’t. My point is, they’re not getting married so why don’t they just say it instead of trying to be P.C and defend the gays.
I’m a bitter gay because straight people (liberals) always shout for gay rights but when a gay is in their face they still cringe. You’re probably the same way Anna.
Michael Bolton and Nicollette Sheridan
While I certainly applaud the statement given by Brad, the cynical part of me says Angelina won’t marry him and this is a way of saving face. I think it’s more likely Angelina told him that she wouldn’t consider getting married until everyone could marry.
Hey Ed, don’t speak for all gays. I’m not turning him down at all… not only has he aged gracefully on the outside, he’s aged amazingly on the inside (though I’ve always been a fan due to his acting choices like ‘Seven’ and ‘12 Monkeys’).
And Jane, are you comparing beastiality to homosexuality or simply mocking his statement? I can live with the latter, but if it’s the former, you should be ashamed of yourself. Two people mutually loving each other is NOT comparable to the abuse of an innocent minor or animal, even in a joke. The only thing more disgusting than those thoughts is your prejudice if it is the former.
It would be great if more respected-by-middle-America actors said this. Tom Hanks, are you and Rita open to getting an annullment in order to make such a bold claim? That’d be fab. I’m having trouble thinking of other actors respected by middle America. Paris Hilton, you need not apply.
Josh, how about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward?
Couples who should stay separate: Justin&Cameron and Katie&Tom.
I remember when Charlize made her comments. I thought it was a bit presumptuous to think that one’s private wedding would affect a change w/in society.I guess it is that they would share in the sense of deprivation/injustice? Unfortunately, I don’t see where their lack of certificate is opening minds that are that closed.
I like Brad & Angelina as parents of a family working to do a lot of good within the world and their own country. To have to make that comment on top the work that he is already doing just seems to smack of him throwing himself at every issue out there all of a sudden. “Causes” obviously need all of the attention and help that they can get, I just question the need to announce all of them at every opportunity. Sometimes the Biblical concept of “not letting the right hand know what the left is doing” when it comes to good works can be valuable as well.
My only quibble is that Brad just said “other people” instead of coming right out and saying “gay people.” Still, whether Brad and Angelina are sincere about this or not, it’s nice that they took this opportunity to come out (so to speak) in favor of civil rights for gays and lesbians. It’s enough for me to want to marry Brad…but I’m already marrying my partner next year (whether it’s legal or not!)
Brad Pitt the ‘activist’ makes me wanna hurl a little bit I have to admit. I mean I’m glad that someone of his notoriety made the marriage statement. And I guess it’s good that he and AJ are bringing attention to the plight of kids in Africa but she was doing fine on her own he’s just essentially following his newest fling around doing what she tells him and playing house. He’s always been a lapdog boyfriend that just follows his women’s orders. When he was with Juliette Lewis he was boho. With Gwyneth he was somber and frumpy and with Jennifer he was suddenly chic. Now he’s an ‘activist’. If he dated Lindsay Lohan he’d be faking eating disorders and having lunch at the Ivy for Papparazo’s Puh-lease!!
I doubt that anyone who makes these statements really thinks that by doing so they will change anything. I think it is just a personal choice. Angelina has always been open with her willingness to be with a woman so this stance is not a surprise. In fact I believe she nay have said in the past she would have married a woman if she could have. I also think that this comes at a time when it is a bigger deal than it was when they last married others. The last time either of them got married the President had not made those comments that caused an uproar.
I find it so hilarious that middle America is so anti-Jolie and they use the supposed affair to say why, but when you ask who they do like they say couples like those mentioned here (Newman & Woodard, Hanks & Wilson) who also met their spouses while married to another. (Not that I am assuming that those who mentioned those couples are middle-America, just that those couples are respected.)
Stephane-Where have you been? 60%percent of marriages will end in divorce and cheating has been going on for centuries. What proof do you have that cheating took place? I do think innocent Jen has gotten a lot of mileage and publicity out of this. Her movies stink and I for one am sick of her claiming to want children when she had 4 years to have them but decided to make movies instead-Sorry but she does not get my pity vote. It is quite obviouse something was missing in Jens marriage and Brad would have eventually left her-period…..
Well they were never gonna get married in the first place. Like these 2 are the committment type. Just have your kids, adopt kids and assist others. That’s what their good for.
It makes me smile to see them with their kids. They are content together, and given their previous unions who the heck can blame them for not wanting to bother with marriage this time around? I’m sure they realize they will spend the rest of their lives together fielding the “marriage question” much as Goldie and Kurt or Susan and Tim have. May they continue to affect the larger world issues that most of us cannot.
P.S, As a gay, I don’t need Brad Pitt sticking up for marriages just to save face.
I’ve worked hard for my medical/dental and retirement package. I sure the hell won’t get together with someone who doesn’t have the same thing going for him. I don’t need a marriage certificate to tell me what I have the right to do.
We wouldn’t tell a straight couple to get married just so they could share benifits/retirement so why should we tell the gays to do the same.
Brad Pitt get over yourself and stay in Africa.
My question is: does Brad Pitt really think his romantic life is so important that policymakers are going to suddenly change their minds on gay marriage so that he’ll marry Angelina Jolie? That they’re sitting there wringing their hands, saying “Well, I WAS against gay marriage, but now that Brad won’t marry Angelina…”?
This “statement” endears them to the gay community, and saves them the eternal “when will you marry”? questions. Nice try…but I doubt the sincerity of it. You gotta give it to AJ, Brad is now the father of all 3 kids, which is more binding (legally) than marriage.
Oh, you know what, until last week I still held out faint hope that one day I’d be walking out of a starbucks and I would lock eyes with Angelina Jolie and we would know that we were meant to be together. But, ohhh, well, they seem happy… hmmm, I guess, well, I guess it’s back to my Evangeline Lili fantasies…. Evangeline, me, a starbucks… hey, it could happen.
It’s amazing to me to see so many people call brad a lapdog boyfriend…some of you seem to have issues with women being the dominent partner in the relationship..what’s a matter? mommy got mad at you? to many rules growing up? I prefer to see strong women to those women who follow their partners around and hang off every word they utter. Be individuals!! don’t melt into these one name relationships that the press gives them…tomkat,bennifer, brangelina come on!
They won’t be fielding questions of marriage for the rest of their lives because they are not going to stay together.