Oscars have forever been the platform for iconic and sometimes, weird pop-culture moments. Hence, the world held tight for any unexpected events to unfold at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, but thankfully, all went well. The major spotlight went to Everything Everywhere All at Once, bagging a grand seven Oscars, nothing much to the awards season besides it. Unlike that of 2022, when Will Smith jumped into a deep controversy with Chris Rock, smacking him on the premier stage.
Meanwhile, the Oscars at the beginning of this century, that is, the 2000 Oscar Awards witnessed another never-seen-before moment. Angelina Jolie was trolled for a shocking kiss with her brother James Haven attending the event. No, it was not a peck on the cheek, but a lip-locked moment that made media outlets go haywire on the siblings, sparking doubts about their relationship. Interestingly, from Jolie’s parents’ standpoint, it was a special moment they were proud of.
Angelina Jolie’s questionable kiss with Brother at the Oscars 2000
Years before her Shark Tale co-star made headlines by slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars, Angelina Jolie ticked that part off her checklist in 2000. The 48-year-old actress won an Oscar for her performance in Girl, Interrupted. But that didn’t end up being the highlight of the night. While all forms of affection and admiration are welcomed at world stages as the Oscars, Jolie, then 24, went a bit far ahead with it.
Originally meant to be a heartwarming moment, Jolie kissed her brother James Haven, then 26, on his lips at the red carpet event, leaving the media and viewers jaw-dropped. Moments before, the Gia actress had also adored her brother on stage during her acceptance speech. Jolie expressed being “so in love” with Haven, and thanking for his affection.
However, the siblings denied any such incestuous intent, and marked the moment as “ brotherly love” and “simple and lovely.” Additionally, Jolie later on opened up about the matter in 2007. She unapologetically told Entertainment Weekly,
“My parents really loved that moment, and that’s what will always matter.”
Jolie didn’t mind any of the disturbing rumors that had spread out and claimed that it was a part of her life. Regardless, she shall continue to be open-hearted and honest in her endeavors. Similarly, her brother, James Haven also justified their public kiss in a rare interview with Daily Mail in 2007. He said,
“I did not give Angie a French kiss. It was something simple and lovely. She was about to go off to Mexico to finish filming Original Sin with Antonio Banderas. I congratulated her on the Oscar win and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. It was snapped and became a big thing.”
Haven realizes being there for her sister is his utmost responsibility. Hence, he attended Jolie’s wedding with Brad Pitt in August 2014 and even supported her during her divorce with the same in 2019.
James Haven is too protective of Angelina Jolie
Even though the media has managed to raise fingers at Jolie and Haven, owing to their kiss at the Oscars, Haven has consistently expressed support for her younger sister, at all phases of her life, from notable wins to ugly divorces. Jolie’s divorce with Brad Pitt was stressful, and that’s when Haven stepped in, for her and her kids. He told 90WHO10,
“That’s where it all started, it started with the protection of her…and then of her children, my nieces and nephews…Those are massively formative years, they’re becoming young adults in their early 20s that’s so crazy thinking that but yeah, I think it’s just very natural [to feel protective] and I just want to be there. Very much like my mum.”
The star siblings share a close-knit relationship, a glimpse of which took an ugly turn in the spotlight. The Jolie-Haven moment went down as an epic Oscar moment, even though clarified in the right direction, shall stay put for ages to come.
