Brad Pitt Doubles His Pleasure With Vivienne and Knox

Junko Kimura/Getty

The prospect of raising twins — double the diapers, double the feedings, double the work – is daunting for most. For Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, however, it’s also “double the fun.” In a new interview with the UK newspaper Telegraph, he says that the addition last summer of 6 ½-month-old fraternal twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline was an easy one to make.

“We were four [children] before, and we got into our rhythms and it worked. Then someone new comes in, and it discombobulates the movements for a moment, but then you settle in again and it just all works. Everyone’s pretty well integrated. It’s not the first time new kids have come in.”

As for the twins, who earlier this week made their first public appearance since an introductory photoshoot with PEOPLE, Brad says “it’s surprising how soon their personalities have started emerging.” From the sound of things, they’ll need strong personalities to compete with their older siblings Maddox Chivan, 7, Pax Thien, 5, Zahara Marley, 4 and Shiloh Nouvel, 2 ½! “It’s chaos at times, but there’s such joy in the house,” Brad explains. “I look and there’s our boy from Vietnam and our daughter from Ethiopia, and our girl was born in Namibia, and our son is from Cambodia, and they’re brothers and sisters, man.”

“They’re brothers and sisters and it’s a sight for elation.”

So elated, in fact, the couple “haven’t found any reason to stop” having kids. “We have the capability to give a child a home, and let me tell you it’s selfish, too, because the reward has been extraordinary,”  Brad says.

Click below to read why Brad feels travel benefits the kids.

In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Brad portrays a man aging in reverse. The role struck a chord with the 45-year-old actor, who reveals that Maddox is starting to ask questions about life and death, himself. “It’s hard to help them fully comprehend this, and I don’t know if they’re meant to comprehend it yet, in all fairness, but it’s a big issue,” Brad says.

As his “very nomadic family” crosses the globe in promotion of the critically-acclaimed film, Brad says that the travel is good for all involved. “The value of it is that the family becomes the core, and the kids may not understand the places they see at this early age, but I know it’s seeping into their consciousness,” he says, adding,

“We move quite well, and I don’t think it’s taking its toll. We have to think about schooling, though, and we’re in an international program, so wherever we go it’s the same curriculum.”

As he has gotten older and as his family has grown Brad says that he’s gotten more discriminating in the roles he takes. “To me, it’s about the value of your time and your day and the value of the people you spend it with,” he explains. “It’s about me being a strong father and guide and a good match for my significant other. Then, if I’m going to go to work, it must be something of value to me.”

“I’m much more experienced now, so I can find films that are interesting quicker and cut out the films that don’t really matter. It means more to me now because my kids are going to see them, and I want them to be proud.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is in theaters now.

Source: Telegraph

Comments

This is a nice interview. Brad’s life has changed in ways he could never have dreamed of. Sometimes GOD blesses you with gifts far beyond your expectations. Now later in his life, he is getting richer acting roles, is he a happy romantic relationship and is the father of six. If that isn’t enough, his children are diverse in their ethnic backgrounds and he and Angie get to watch them grow and learn from each other. Oh, then he his work in Louisiana. What a life!

- Mimi on January 30th, 2009

I like his quote about “we have the capability to give a child a home, and let me tell you it’s selfish, too, because the reward has been extraordinary.” Interesting way to think about it.

- Michelle on January 30th, 2009

It’s cool that he answered the schooling question I know so many ppl have been wondering about. It sounds a little like how military schools run. And I agree with him: as long as he and Angie can emotionally, physically, socially, etc. provide for their kids, why shouldn’t they have/adopt more? If all the kids are getting what they need, big families can be a lot of fun

- MZ on January 30th, 2009

I’m from a big family and I agree with him. It is so fun. Good for him and Angie to love and accept others, no matter what their race is.

- kirstie on January 30th, 2009

I ♥ Brad the Proud Papa! He just sounds like he’s walking on cloud nine daily when he’s talking about his kids or Angie. I love it.

- FC on January 30th, 2009

“We have the capability to give a child a home, and let me tell you it’s selfish, too, because the reward has been extraordinary”.

Wow, I LOVE that quote! Brad is right – he and Angelina definitely have the money to care for these children, and they look loved and that they have plenty of attention, so why shouldn’t they have more children? They seem like genuinely good people, although we’ll never definitely know since we are not a part of their family.

- Meg on January 30th, 2009

They are a great family with a wonderful mother and father…they are justifiably very proud…

- Mari on January 30th, 2009

I think the Duggar family will have some competition!

- Emaline on January 30th, 2009

So happy for them I’m sure Knox and Viv settled in pretty quickly with all the love of their mom/dad/and brothers-and sisters. Can’t wait to see how they expand their family next.

- Mia on January 31st, 2009

I love this interview. I really like this celebrity family. And I don’t think he should even have to explain the education/travel stuff…Seriously, the same day the other story about them was racking up a gazillion comments criticizing their traveling, there were several other stories about celebrities taking their kids on concert tours, their kids living on tour busses, and families talking about their kids growing up on movie sets. NOT ONE of those stories had comments criticizing this schedule. Only the Brad/Angelina story…such a double standard!!!

- ellen on January 31st, 2009

“A sight for elation” (?)
“it discombobulates the movements for a moment”(?)

I think this says it all really.

- Fevvers on January 31st, 2009

“a sight for elation” means his family/his kids are a beautiful thing to see,..filled with great happiness and joy. I don’t know what is wrong with that comment. “elation-meaning great happiness”

And the comment of “it discombobulated the moments for a moment” whether its adding another child (or two) or making a huge change of something that’s naturally going to shift the schedule a little bit, but as he said they were all able to adjust quickly, and everybody his happy, and healthy.

I’ve said before, like many other people too, I love the Jolie-Pitt family. They truly love being parents and having a big family together, and we have seen millions of pictures of the kids, and they all look happy/healthy. Thankfully Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have the money, and very flexible schedules to have a large family, and most importantly they have the love and support of each other as partners-both personally/romantically, and as two people being parents together raising their kids.

Always nice to hear a Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie Interview-family update.

- Mia on January 31st, 2009

I know what elation means. I am just pointing out that he has a quite unique speaking style, lots of long words phrased somewhat awkwardly. I am not even expressing an opinion on adoption or travelling with kids or ANYTHING, am I still not allowed to think its funny?

- Fevvers on January 31st, 2009

Fevvers- Of course you’re allowed to think it’s funny. Mia just mis-understood your comment. To be perfectly honest, I did at first, too.

- CelebBabyLover on January 31st, 2009

I am sorry but it still bugs me that they complain so much about the public interest in their lives and then they do interviews where they talk so much about their personal lives….
They can’t have it both ways!!

- Tina on February 1st, 2009

I think a lot of times the strange phrasing in these interviews is because they are translated to/from English in the foreign press and the words get a little garbled.

- Jessmama on February 1st, 2009

Well they have to do interviews/press stuff as part of their job to promote their project, and I think they try to avoid talking about their family/each other (Brad/Angie) as much as possible, but the reality is people want to know, and they find its safer to at least talk about it a little-same reason why they sold baby pictures of Knox/Viv. It was safer to release them instead of having people break into the hospital/or their house to get the pictures.

And of course I’m delighted to see new pics of Knox/Viv and all of the kids, everyone is adorable, but just a side note-they had to pass through the regular terminal/airport in Japan because thats the rule of the country. They weren’t going out of their way to be greeted with a giant mob of people/have their kids in that environment, but only the royal family is allowed to use any kind of back entrance in/out of the airport. They were just complying with the rules. Plus side-we got to see all these pics, downside- the babies especially looked a little uncomfortable/scared by all of the noise. The rest of the kids were just walking along with mommy/daddy like “yeah, this is usual” I love Shiloh’s mop of blonde hair lol.

- Mia on February 1st, 2009

Let me post this one more time and see if People/Celeb Baby Blog will post…it’s frustrating getting moderated and not being published after spending time writing a post – Brad & Angelina DO NOT COMPLAIN about media interest in their lives. The poster Tina, is mistaken. They have their priorities straight, and have said they understand the interest in their lives, and that it’s part of the deal when you become famous. So I don’t know where Tina is getting that ‘they complain, and then talk about themselves’ stuff – it’s not true. They do not. They have said that their work and fame affords them a great lifestyle and an ability to help others. They seem to see themselves as very fortunate when discussing their fame. I’ve read most of their interviews, and not once, have I heard them complaining about anything – be it media interest or public interest in their lives. They understand it, and know it comes with the territory. As a matter of fact, Angelina has talked about how her philanthropy and seeing true poverty, and struggle in the third world has made her see her own life as privileged and not for complaints of any kind. I think Tina is confusing them with someone else.

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We will publish this one. In the future, please post one comment under the same name rather than 4 in a row under different names agreeing with yourself. We can see when multiple comments come from the same place. Thank you.

-CBB Staff

- Bett on February 1st, 2009

I really liked this part of what Brad said:
“To me, it’s about the value of your time and your day and the value of the people you spend it with,” he explains. “It’s about me being a strong father and guide and a good match for my significant other. Then, if I’m going to go to work, it must be something of value to me.”

On another note, after seeing the video of them in the airport with all the flashing bulbs and papparazzi yelling at them, I thought about how I would not want that life for anything… even with all their money and comforts, I would not want that. I would rather live in my small house and have my privacy. Imagine all the family time and family conversation that is lost each time they are distracted by the papparazzi.

- Jane on February 1st, 2009

Mia- Good point! In fact, if you watch the interview they did with E! on the SAG Red Carpet, the reporter kept trying to ask them about their personal lives. Angie and Brad tried their best to steer the conversation back to what they were there for (their work), but the reporter refused to take a hint.

Bett- ITA! Angie very rarely speaks of the media intrusion on their lives at all. The most I’ve heard her talk about it is when she said that Zahara is scared of the paps. Brad talks about it a little bit more, but I have never once heard him actually complain about it. What he’s said in a nutshell is this: “I understand that you have a job to do. Go ahead and take the pictures, but please use long lenses and don’t get right up in our children’s faces”. That, IMO, is a perfectly reasonable thing to ask.

Everybody, even people as famous as the J-Ps, deserve to have their personal space respected! Brad also recently said that he “hates” the paps. However, let’s face it, just about EVERYONE complains about some aspect of their job at one time or another, no matter how much they love their job. Therefore, I took Brad’s comment as him talking about the downside of his job.

Anyway, I actually admire Angie and Brad for being realistic about the media and paps. I’m sure they wish that the paps wouldn’t take so many photos of their kids or scream their kids’ names, but they realize that unfourtnately it just comes with the territory.

- CelebBabyLover on February 2nd, 2009

I also don’t think they complain, I find that humans have a hard time not talking about the children in their families I have tried to not talk about my grandchildren and most of the time can’t resist talking how cute, bright, etc they are. I still talk about my children sometimes lol (and they are middle age) I was really happy to see the children and the twins, totally adorable and those cheeks. I find Angie and Brad very professional and it would not be normal with 6 small children if they didn’t talk about them at all.

- Loren on February 2nd, 2009

That’s a great interview. Thanks CBB. Not sure about your title though, it seems to make him sound pervy!

As usual the foreign press get the best out of them. I guess because they don’t always take their words out of context to mean things they did not intend.

*Tina’s comment is a great example of this.

As a fan of this family I have read and seen most of their interviews too and they have never said they despise the public interest. In fact they both been very humble in acknowledging and appreciating the interest.

What they mostly have an issue with, is the way the paps behave around their children.

They don’t really know what is said about them in the press unless a reporter or family/friend brings it up. They rarely respond to domestic tabloids, legit news (tv and paper)who lie about them consistently. Unlike other stars who are always releasing statements, denying said lies/headlines.

However those same sources above are the one’s selling the double standard idea Tina refers to, just as they have sold the “adopting” for publicity lie!

Tina is not the only one who believes these lies, and it’s actually not her fault because it’s what she has been exposed to.

- taegan on February 2nd, 2009