Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria

Angelina Jolie Faces Overwhelming Crowd In Chaotic Scene

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By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on October 29, 2024 at 11:45 AM EDT

Angelina Jolie was met with a chaotic crowd that quickly surrounded her at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills for a special screening of her latest film, "Maria," leaving the actress looking a bit overwhelmed by the sheer enthusiasm.

As the actress arrived at the theater, eager fans, autograph hunters, and paparazzi all gathered for a chance to get close to the Hollywood icon.

People could be seen pushing forward to snap photos, get autographs, and catch a glimpse of Angelina Jolie, who, for a moment, seemed nearly swallowed by the frenzy.

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Angelina Jolie Met With Chaotic Crowd At Writers Guild Theater

Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria
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Even amidst the overwhelming tension and immense chaos in the crowd, Jolie kept her cool. According to photos obtained by TMZ, she still signed autographs, handling the chaos like a true pro—even as she found herself sandwiched between eager fans.

She also captivated attendees with a striking departure from her usual sleek style. Jolie, often seen with her iconic straight locks, opted instead for voluminous curls that added both depth and dimension to her red carpet appearance.

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Angelina Jolie Debuts A New Look With Voluminous Curls At 'Maria' Premiere During AFI Film Festival

Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria
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The curls—a blend of soft, natural-looking waves and bolder, more defined volume—fell past her shoulders, creating an effect that was both effortlessly elegant and refreshingly bold.

Jolie’s choice of hairstyle marked a rare yet impactful shift, one that underscored her versatility and flair for reinvention.

As "Maria" garners attention, Jolie’s presence at the festival with her renewed style only adds to the anticipation surrounding the film and her ongoing evolution as an icon of Hollywood.

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Angelina Jolie Stuns In Satin Gown at 'Maria' Premiere

Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria
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Jolie completed her head-turning hairstyle with a champagne-colored, silky floor-length gown and a draped black overcoat. The dress struck a perfect balance between formal sophistication and understated charm, a look Jolie has long mastered.

Her affinity for silky designs dates back to memorable moments on red carpets, from her Marc Bouwer gown at the 2004 Oscars to the Atelier Versace dress she wore at the 2015 Critics Choice Awards.

She accessorized with drop earrings, a bold red lip, and matching red nails, bringing a striking pop of color that perfectly balanced her sophisticated ensemble.

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Angelina Jolie Opens Up About 'Maria' And The Training Process

Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria
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The project—following director Pablo Larraín’s previous explorations of iconic women, Jackie Kennedy in "Jackie" and Princess Diana in "Spencer"—delves into the final days of legendary yet troubled opera singer Maria Callas.

Set in 1970s Paris, the film portrays Callas’s struggle to reclaim the iconic voice that once defined her, as she confronts the challenges of her fading career and complex legacy. “I don’t think there was another alternative, I don’t think this movie would exist if Angelina would have passed,” Larraín said, per The Hollywood Reporter.

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“I think when I was asked if I could sing, I thought, one, sing like an actor — I’ll sing as much as I can, I’ll do my best — not understanding what it is to sing opera,” Jolie added, calling the training process “a really emotional and very special and terrifying journey.”

After seven months of vocal training and a deep immersion into Maria Callas' life, Jolie admitted she's uncertain if she’s fully left the character behind.

“I’ve played a few real people in my life and you carry them with you; it’s different than other characters,” she said. “Like she’s my sister now, she’s somebody who I know quite intimately and I really had to fall in love with to hope that I could help other people understand her, and I had to understand her to hope I was saying and doing the right thing. So I’ll always hear her music and maybe smile a little bit differently than someone else, because I feel close.”

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Angelina Jolie Says 'Maria' Allowed Her To 'Be Terrified Again As An Artist'

Angelina Jolie at 2024 AFI Fest premiere of Maria
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Jolie shared with the audience that there haven’t been “a lot of moments in my career I’m asked to give everything you’ve got, and it’s one of the greatest gifts, especially as an artist, for somebody to ask for and want you to give everything you got, that you don’t know that you’ve got.” She added that she “got to be terrified again as an artist which is such a gift, because you get scared and have to do something you’re not sure you can do, and surprise yourself.”

With Pablo Larraín directing, Jolie noted, “I knew I had a safe place to fail, so I was allowed to be free.”

"Maria" will premiere in select theaters this November, with a wider release on Netflix set for December 11.

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