A history of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s parenting drama amid Zahara’s savage graduation diss

May 21, 2026 - 19:33

Zahara Jolie appeared to take another public swipe at her father Brad Pitt during her graduation from Spelman College, once again dropping "Pitt" from her last name. The moment has reignited attention on the long and complicated parenting drama between the Hollywood stars.

The 19-year-old, who introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie at the ceremony, has been using the shortened surname for years. But her latest public omission comes as the custody and legal battles between Pitt and Angelina Jolie continue to simmer. Sources close to the family say the move is not a surprise, given the strained relationship between Zahara and her father.

The actress and filmmaker have been locked in a bitter divorce and custody fight since 2016, following an alleged incident on a private plane. Since then, the couple's six children have been at the center of a highly publicized tug-of-war. Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne have all navigated the fallout in different ways.

Zahara's choice to drop her father's name is seen by many as a clear signal of where her loyalties lie. It also highlights the ongoing challenge of co-parenting under the glare of the media. While Pitt has reportedly tried to maintain a relationship with his children, the public snubs suggest deep wounds remain.

For Jolie, the moment was a proud one. She shared a photo of herself and Zahara at the graduation, captioning it with pride. The image showed a smiling mother and daughter, a stark contrast to the tension that has defined much of the family's recent history. As Zahara steps into her next chapter, the family drama shows no signs of fading.