Key Takeaways:
– Angelina Jolie defended her familial bond with brother James Haven after the media frenzy that followed their kiss at the 72nd Academy Awards.
– Jolie confronted talk show host Jay Leno about his tasteless jokes regarding the incident.
– Despite the backlash, James Haven insists the kiss was nothing more than a congratulatory gesture.
The Tumultuous Oscars Moment
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is no stranger to spotlight or controversy. Despite her high-profile life, she fiercely stands up for her family and herself. A distinct example of this trait was displayed during her appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,’ following the media frenzy around her lip-lock with brother James Haven at the 72nd Academy Awards.
A Portrait of Sibling Affection at Oscars
Having won the Best Supporting Actress title for ‘Girl, Interrupted’ at the 72nd Academy Awards, Angelina Jolie made it to the headlines for expressing her love for her brother, James Haven. While some thought their affection to be peculiar, for Angelina and James, it was nothing but pure sibling love.
Blast from the Past: The Vanity Fair Afterparty
However, things escalated when Angelina and James shared a brief lip-lock at the Vanity Fair afterparty, which led to widespread media attention. Numerous headlines were made, and some even cracked inappropriate incest jokes despite Angelina’s insistence on the innocence of their sibling affection.
The Leno Joke Controversy
Talk show host Jay Leno joined in on the jokes, hitting a nerve with Angelina. During an appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,’ she didn’t hold back from expressing her displeasure. When Leno asked her reaction to his jokes about her and James, an unamused Angelina rebuked, “They really weren’t funny.”
She went on to add that these jokes were particularly hurtful to her mother, stating: “Anybody here knows when somebody says stuff about your family, it’s just not okay. And my mom’s been just not okay about the stuff about me, my brother.”
Standing Up Against Leno
Hoping to confront Leno, Angelina handed over a note of his jokes. After reading them aloud, Leno asked if they were terrible to which she responded, “They’re not terrible. I actually didn’t highlight the ones that were so, so terrible. I didn’t want my mom looking for them again.”
Leno, seemingly uneasy, attempted to justify himself by saying, “I’m not the only one.” However, Angelina didn’t back down, criticizing him for joining the bandwagon of those making tasteless jokes about her and her family, rather than standing against such behavior.
James Haven Breaks Silence
Years after the incident, James Haven explained the kiss to the Daily Mail. “It was something simple and lovely,” he said. He justified it as a congratulatory gesture since his sister was due to leave for Mexico immediately after the Oscars for work.
Conclusion
This incident continues to be a popular talking point in pop culture, even two decades later. Through it all, Angelina Jolie’s unyielding stand for her family serves as an example of her strength, proving why she continues to command the respect and adoration of her fans worldwide.
