Academy Award-winning actor Brad Pitt, aged 61, has provided a notably forthright commentary concerning aspects of his personal life, including matters relating to his sexuality, during a recent recorded interview.
Currently engaged in a romantic relationship with 32-year-old Ines de Ramon, Mr. Pitt appeared on the June 24 episode of the Armchair Expert podcast, hosted by Dax Shepard. During the exchange, Mr. Pitt humorously declined to elaborate on any past same-sex encounters, remarking that he had “missed the window” with respect to what he referred to as a potential “gay experience,” thereby diffusing Shepard’s probing in a lighthearted yet definitive manner.
Mr. Pitt also reflected on his early interactions with Mr. Shepard, disclosing that their initial meeting occurred in the context of an Alcoholics Anonymous gathering. Additionally, he recounted experiences from his youth, noting that both he and his brother were subjected to derogatory homophobic slurs and related verbal abuse during their formative years.
During the podcast interview, Mr. Shepard remarked, “Given the way you and I met, does it make you nervous?”—a question delivered with suggestive undertones.
In response, Mr. Pitt, adopting a humorous tone, replied, “Sexually, you mean?” He then continued, “You know, I’ve never had a gay experience. I kind of missed that window. But if I did, it wouldn’t be you.”
Mr. Shepard, reacting with playful disappointment, stated, “Oh man, you had me. I was like, ‘Wow, he’s going to say it.’”
Mr. Pitt continued the lighthearted exchange by remarking that Mr. Shepard would rank “maybe 14th, or 15th” in a hypothetical scenario. In response, Mr. Shepard quipped, “I don’t want to brag, but you’re going to need to build up to me,” further adding, “I do recommend you start with some starters.”
In a more introspective portion of the interview, Mr. Pitt—who is currently attached to a film project centered on Formula 1—spoke candidly about the emotional impact following the dissolution of his second marriage. Describing the aftermath as a “difficult time,” he stated that he had found himself “pretty much on [his] knees,” and acknowledged the need to “wake the f**k up in some areas.”
He elaborated: “I was really open—I was trying anything and everyone, anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting.” The statement may arguably be interpreted as an oblique reference to his former spouse, Ms. Jennifer Aniston, who famously remarked post-divorce that Mr. Pitt appeared to have a “sensitivity chip missing,” in describing his handling of their separation. The two were married from 2000 to 2005.
Reflecting on his experience attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, Mr. Pitt disclosed that he initially felt apprehensive about speaking publicly, but was quickly moved by the openness of other participants. “It gives you permission to go, ‘OK, I’m gonna step out on this edge and see what happens,’” he said. “And then I really grew to love it.”
Mr. Pitt also offered praise for Mr. Shepard—who had maintained sobriety for 16 years prior to a relapse in 2020—noting his consistent candor and remarking that he is “so f**king honest.”#newsafro_
