The reason that’s the title of this post is because that’s what the news is: “Angelina Jolie on a talk show” isn’t something we see that often. In fact, it’s rare. Like over 15 years rare – that’s how long it’s been since she’s been on a talk show. As she says herself at the start of her interview last night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, this is not her comfort zone.

 

Earlier this week, I posted about Angelina at the Gotham Awards and talked about how shy she was during her acceptance speech, and how her shyness probably contradicts what many have assumed about her personality over the last couple of decades. In the early part of her career she was known for action movies, Lara Croft; she’s played spies and assassins (Wanted 2 and Salt 2…when?!); so we all thought she was tough and aggressive. Then, of course, The Scandal gave people the idea that she was predatory and lascivious, which ironically kinda worked for her performance in Maleficent despite the fact that there was so much more going on with that character than some might want to give her credit for. 

 

But the Angelina on stage at the Gothams and the one on The Tonight Show doesn’t fit the into the box that pop culture, up until recently, has put her in. She’s a bit weird, definitely, but she’s also kinda awkward, she obviously isn’t at ease but also… she’s trying. She’s trying to be playful and keep up with the rhythm of the late night format and, well, FIT IN. Which is, for us, as pop culture students, a uniquely intriguing thing to observe: one of the biggest movie stars on the planet trying to fit in, on live-to-tape television. 

To me, it’s endearing. You might feel differently, but I find it endearing. Like I want to hug her, LOL. 

 

Angelina was there, obviously, to promote Maria and campaign for award season. Which tells you how much she wants people to see the film and that nomination for her to be putting in this much effort. I know you’re probably exhausted by how often I’ve mentioned in recent weeks that this race is competitive, but the Best Actress category is about as tight as we’ve seen it in over a decade. This is why they’re allllllll so outside this fall. Everyone is doing the most, even Angelina Jolie. 

To go back to the endearing thing, then, and whether or not it reads that way to everyone – I’m not the average Academy voter. And remember, every Academy member votes on the nominees after they’re nominated, but the nominations are first determined by the Academy branches. That means the acting nominees are decided by the actors branch so at this stage of the race, that’s who Angelina has to convince. It’ll be interesting to see, considering that, again, as noted, she’s not one of the queen bees of the Hollywood friendship society, how they’ll respond to her campaign.

 

And with that in mind… 

I’ve embedded the full interview with Jimmy Fallon below, but first, let me just show you how they introduced her. Pay attention to the music. 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Setting “Jolene” for her entrance is a CHOICE!

Is it because the name Jolene has the same sounds as the name Jolie? Is it because Angelina, that FACE, could probably take anyone’s man? Lol, is it because The Tonight Show producers still can’t get enough of the celebrity gossip love triangle that became its own era? Was this a troll? Or was it totally unintentional and accidental? 

PS: She’s barefoot because she broke her toe.