The rumored incident took place on a private plane in September 2016. The family was on a flight from France to Los Angeles when Pitt allegedly started arguing with Angelina Jolie. According to TMZ: when Maddox reportedly stepped in to “verbally defend” his mother, a drunken Pitt allegedly lunged at him and made some sort of contact with his son. The incident led to a child abuse investigation and to Pitt and Jolie’s divorce. Pitt received clearance from the investigation. But, his relationship with Maddox strained. The family situation became a wake up call for Pitt. He told GQ in May 2017 that he gave up alcohol and tried therapy.
Speaking about his past and present mindset, Pitt said: “I can’t remember a day since I got out of college when I wasn’t boozing or had a spliff, or something. Something. And you realize that a lot of it is, um — cigarettes, you know, pacifiers. And I’m running from feelings. I’m really, really happy to be done with all of that.” “I mean, I stopped everything except boozing when I started my family. But even this last year, you know — things I wasn’t dealing with. I was boozing too much,” Pitt continued. “It’s just become a problem. And I’m really happy it’s been half a year now, which is bittersweet, but I’ve got my feelings in my fingertips again.”
Maddox moved to South Korea to attend college at Yonsei University. He talked to reporters about his relationship with Pitt shortly after he moved in 2019 and implied that it hadn’t improved. He said: “Well, whatever happens, happens.”
Sources told The Sun that Pitt met with Maddox over the weekend of Jan. 31 when Maddox returned to California from college. Reports stated this to be the reason Pitt did not attend the BAFTAs on Feb. 2, where he won an award for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. An insider told The Sun: “Maddox gave Brad the chance to talk and he dropped everything. Being a father is the most important thing in [Brad’s] life and he would do anything to repair their relationship.”
