Angelina Jolie Shares Sweet Moment With Daughter Zahara at Screening After Maddox Drops Pitt From His Last Name

September 15, 2026: Angelina Jolie shared a sweet mother-daughter moment with Zahara as the pair attended a special screening of Jolie’s new film Without Blood in New York City. Their appearance came the same day a judge approved Jolie’s eldest son Maddox’s request to legally remove “Pitt” from his last name.

Angelina Jolie and Zahara Step Out Together

Jolie and Zahara attended the special Without Blood screening on Monday, September 14, at Village East by Angelika in Manhattan.

The mother and daughter appeared close as they arrived at the event, with Jolie photographed holding Zahara’s hand and kissing her on the forehead. Jolie wore a black pantsuit with heels, while Zahara opted for a black halter dress.

The appearance gave fans a glimpse of the pair together as Jolie continues promoting Without Blood, her latest directorial project.

The Outing Comes After Maddox’s Legal Name Change

The screening also came on an important day for Jolie’s family.

On September 14, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge approved Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt’s request to legally change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie. Court records reviewed by PEOPLE confirmed that the petition was granted without objection.

Maddox originally filed the request on May 28. The documents listed the reason for the requested name change as personal, without providing further details.

The 25-year-old had already begun using “Maddox Jolie” professionally. Earlier this year, he was credited under that name while working as an assistant director on Jolie’s film Couture.

 

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Zahara Is Also Seeking a Name Change

Maddox isn’t the only one of Jolie and Brad Pitt’s children who has taken steps to remove “Pitt” from their surname.

Zahara, 21, filed her own legal petition in June to change her name from Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie.

She had already publicly used the Jolie surname during her graduation from Spelman College in May. Although her commencement program listed her as Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, she was introduced as Zahara Marley Jolie when she received her diploma.

Zahara’s court hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2026.

Several Jolie-Pitt Children Have Dropped the Surname

Maddox and Zahara’s legal moves follow similar decisions by their siblings.

Shiloh Jolie was the first of the children to legally remove “Pitt” from her surname. Her request was approved in August 2024 after she filed for the change on her 18th birthday.

Vivienne has also been using the surname Jolie professionally and filed a petition to legally remove Pitt from her name. Her hearing is scheduled for November.

The former couple share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.

A Complicated Family History

Maddox’s name change comes exactly 10 years after the September 2016 private-plane incident that preceded Jolie’s divorce filing.

Pitt was investigated following allegations involving an incident aboard the family’s private plane. The FBI and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services ultimately closed their investigations without finding abuse.

Jolie filed for divorce shortly afterward, and their divorce was finalized in December 2024.

The former couple have largely kept details of their family relationships private, although the surname changes involving several of their children have become public through court filings and professional appearances.

Angelina Jolie and Zahara’s Bond

Against that complicated backdrop, Jolie’s affectionate moment with Zahara at Monday’s screening stood out.

The two appeared comfortable and close as they attended the event together, with the forehead kiss offering a particularly warm moment between the actress and her daughter.

Meanwhile, Jolie continues to focus publicly on her film work. Without Blood adds another directing credit to her career, while the New York screening gave her an opportunity to celebrate the project alongside her daughter.

For now, Zahara’s own legal name-change request remains pending, while Maddox’s change has officially been approved.

HOLR has the latest news on Angelina Jolie, Zahara, Maddox, Brad Pitt and the Jolie-Pitt family.

FAQs

Did Maddox Jolie legally drop Pitt from his last name?
Yes. A Los Angeles County judge approved his request on September 14, 2026, changing his legal name to Maddox Chivan Jolie.

What happened to Zahara’s last name?
Zahara has filed to legally change her name from Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie. Her hearing is scheduled for September 28.

Did Angelina Jolie and Zahara attend a screening together?
Yes. They attended a special screening of Jolie’s Without Blood in New York City on September 14.

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