Angelina Jolie Opens Up On 'Dark' Teenage Years: 'I Was A Punk'

Angelina Jolie is reflecting on her rebellious youth, particularly her "dark" and "punk" phases as a teenager.

In a new interview, the mother of six reminisced on her younger years, saying she wouldn't trade it for the world. Jolie also discussed motherhood and how it profoundly changed her life and continues to provide strength and purpose.

While reflecting on her unconventional youth, "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" actress Angelina Jolie described her teenage years as "dark." She recalled her rebellious adolescent phase: "I was a punk, not the popular kid—going to thrift stores, cutting things up, burning little teeny cigarette holes into things."

However, despite her quirky past, Jolie told Vogue Magazine she wouldn't trade her rebellious teenage years "for the world." "Maybe that part of me wants to push back," she added.

During the chat, the mother of six also showed off her body art with one of the tattoos, including an Arabic script on her correct arm reading "strength and hope" and an Italian phrase, "still it moves," attributed to Galileo after his groundbreaking observations on the solar system.

Jolie also opened up about how motherhood, especially adopting her first son Maddox at 26, "changed her life" and "taught her to be in this world differently."

She mentioned that her six children have been her source of strength, helping her avoid darker paths, likely referencing her divorce from Brad Pitt. She noted, "I was 26 when I became a mother. My entire life changed. Having children saved me - and taught me to be in this world differently."

Jolie added, "I think, recently, I would've gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them."

The "Salt" star expressed her admiration for her children, acknowledging their growth and taking over aspects of the family. "They're better than me because you want your children to be. Of course, I'm the mother, and hopefully, that safe place for them and that stability," she said. "But I'm also the one they laugh at - and I see them taking over so many different aspects of our family."

Jolie is set to take over the fashion world with the upcoming launch of her Atelier Jolie in November. In her chat with Vogue Magazine, she shared her unconventional vision for the fashion house, emphasizing that it's "not really about fashion."

Instead, the "Eternals" actress aims to break the traditional celebrity designer mold and foster a creative community, saying, "I don't want to be a big fashion designer. I want to build a house for other people to become that."

She also expressed a desire to support talented artisans, adding, "I've met a lot of artisans over the years—competent, talented people—and I'd like to see them grow."

Atelier Jolie's president and COO, Giles Duley, further highlighted the brand's commitment to addressing the negative impact of Western consumerism on developing countries. 

He explained: "Atelier Jolie can have an incredibly positive impact on artisans who have often been unrecognized and undervalued—but we also have an opportunity to start conversations about workforce exploitation, pollution, and waste."

During the chat, Jolie, renowned for her understated and conservative fashion choices, emphasized that she is not "someone who likes clothes to consume her life," adding, "There are more books than clothes in my closet."

In discussing her involvement in fashion, the "Wanted" actress said it was amusing because she and her children aren't necessarily "fashionable." However, she acknowledges the importance of exploring clothing as a means of self-expression, adding, "But because we live in our clothes, it is so much a part of who we are, and something that's important to explore, especially for young people."