Every time I look at little Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, she makes me smile. It’s not to convergence of two of the world’s most perfect gene pools that makes me so happy. It’s not the inherent cuteness of a 4-year-old towhead exploring the world that makes me glow. It’s that she seems so wonderfully, organically, uninhibitedly herself. All children should be this free. Now, granted, she has a lot of advantages – possibly all of them. Her parents are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, for starters. And, her parents are letting her be who she wants to be – even at this young age.
Angelina gave a recent interview with Vanity Fair and, of course, it was the tidbits about her little tomboy Shiloh that made the most headlines. She called her “hysterically funny, one of the goofiest, most playful people you’ll ever meet.” And then said:
“Shiloh, we feel, has Montenegro style. It’s how people dress there. She likes tracksuits, she likes (regular) suits. She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys’ everything. She thinks she's one of the brothers.”
ZOMG, what does this mean? Is Shiloh trans? Is Shiloh lesbian? Is Shiloh deeply confused? Should we pray for Shiloh? Lord, people. Shiloh is 4. Shiloh has years and years to figure all of that out. What Shiloh is is, by all appearances, deliriously happy in her own skin. Isn’t that what we all should want for our children?
p.s. I am totally jealous of Shiloh’s Montenegro style. And I want that jacket.
Can you imagine how truly well adjusted we lesbians with Montenegro flair would have been, 1. if our mothers had allowed us to be this free and 2. if AJ had been said mother? It's cute when you are very young. Will it still be cute when she is 12, 16, 20?
ReplyDeleteAJ seems pretty liberal. I don't think she'll have a micro freakout that Cher had with Chaz.
I hope this is just an awkward stage and she grows out of that FUG.
ReplyDeleteCan't help but wonder how much of this "style" is the product of a 4 y/o mind and how much is manufactured.
I love it! She looks so cute and happy in her little outfits. I'm so glad they don't force her into dresses.
ReplyDeleteShe's got the rest of her life to be able to try and life her life without people trying to make her fit into boxes, it's wonderful that her parents protect her and love her enough to let her be herself.
My fiancee was totally into suits at age 4, rocked a bowlcut until she was 12 and only wore "girl" clothes when she thought she "had" to (peer pressure) at 15. I say, good for Shiloh.
ReplyDeleteAlthough no one knows what goes on behind closed doors, for what it's worth, it seems that Brad and Angelina are doing a great job raising their children. The kids seem happy, well-adjusted, and without the hang ups and traumas that many of us suffered through as children.
ReplyDeleteThe questions/concerns that people are voicing over the choices of a four year old are simply the same old gender crap foisted upon children in this tight-assed country forever. Really folks, the kid is four. When I was four I wanted to be a cowboy, when my son was four he dressed almost exclusively in his Ghostbusters outfit....today, I am not a cowboy and my son is not a Ghostbuster (although I suspect part of him might still like to be one).
My point is that our identities, gender,sexual or otherwise are fluid when we're four and the Jolie Pitt family is allowing that to be so for their child.
Bravo to them for being smart enough and brave enough to do what they feel is right and not what the backward thinking fools of this world tell us is right.
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ReplyDeleteMy daughter started choosing her own wardrobe at 18 months so I have no problem believing that the way Shiloh dresses comes from her own sense of who she is. People sometimes forget that kids are little people...with the own tastes and minds. If all kids had the freedom to express their own sense of style, people would be surprised.
ReplyDeleteAdorable. I love it. My parents consistently chose my wardrobe and my haircuts for me until I turned 17. Which, oddly enough, is when I cut my ass length hair off and began dressing in a way that I laugh about now, but felt so freeing then. It would have been amazing to grow up without being so stifled, and given the freedom to explore my personality.
ReplyDeleteReally Anonymous @ 11:30, how can you say that ANY child is FUG? When I was 5 I had a wonder woman tank top that I wore ALL THE TIME. My parents had to wash it when I took a shower.
ReplyDeleteWe are all allowed an opinion and if you really need to criticize someone try and pick the adults, but come on, don't pick on the kid.
We have no way of knowing what happens in their private lives, but she looks happy in the pictures that I have seen.
I say good for her! And I wonder if my parents still have that thank top??
that is one of the sweetest things, i think, that a parent can do. just let their kid be who they are, no labels no nothing. and yeah....i'm seriously envious of Shiloh's wardrobe/style/fashion sense. seriously!
ReplyDeleteAMEN, sister. WHo the F* cares. Why do we need to label her?! She's 4 and as cute as a button. Good post!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Montenegro style 4-evah.
ReplyDeletei think i wore that same exact outfit today.
ReplyDelete:)
Amen to all of that.
ReplyDeleteSo cuuuuuute
ReplyDeleteI love that they let her being hershelf :)
shiloh?
ReplyDeletewhat happened to her?
I thought..somebody else.
...
I feel the person who took the pics,
kind of anti shiloh.
there could be..better pics,
do you think teen shiloh will happy
when she figures out these pics
spread out when she was 4?
I agree her parent both super stars but
she's not yet. I know she's super baby.
If she wants to be then people can..
I think it's not late when she being popular
more manageable age.
me too! me too! i want that jacket!
ReplyDeleteshe's so cute. i like her style.
This is awesome. If only all children were allowed to so freely express themselves. Think how much happier they would be! Good on Brad and Angie.
ReplyDeletecan you have a lilith fair edition of tank top tuesday? I have really been noticing Jennifer Nettles of sugarland lately. She sings love songs to girls (genevieve) and rocks the tank tops and vests!
ReplyDeleteOMGoddess I though at 1st that "Motengro was the little boy who was being downloaded intil I saw the name Shiloh.
ReplyDeleteBut it doesn't seem liberal and I wish "THOSE" people would stop attributing every single independent decision to liberalism.
Clothes don't make the woman, or the man.
ReplyDeleteI know that you know this, but gender ID apparel is a construct. Total bullshit, and why some guys in certain cultures have to have real beards.
Oh the fucking fear!!!!!Lest we we confuse one bit for another!@!!!!
Whilst applauding the tone of your article I am disappointed to see one about a child on your site. Not something I thought you would do. Granted these pics are increasingly ubiquitous but still seems disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteI just find the whole circus of photographing & reporting of 'celebrities kids' awful. Should be a complete no no.
No offence intended.
oh god, lighten up with the PC crap. it's not a chester-esque or tabloid post, it's about friggin' gender constructs, which really are forced upon us beginning in childhood. you missed the whole point (of supporting the child)entirely. relax.
ReplyDeleteokay, when I was four I also felt like "one of the boys"
ReplyDeletetoday? I'm a girl. And still "one of the boys"
No big deal.
And so it is with adorable Shiloh.
hopefully she'll be allowed to continue to freely express herself. as a child of celebrity i cringe when i think what kind of dammage the media will do to it.... or should i say her.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be a sad day when Shiloh starts surfing the internet herself and read all the mean spirited and bigoted comments about her style.
ReplyDeletesherleo
I give props to anyone who can rock the Rachel Maddow look, even if she is four.
ReplyDeleteI just read your open letter to Shiloh on afterellen.com and I think it would be great if you would send a link/copy to her parents if you haven't already done so (don't know how to reach them but I'm sure you'll figure that out easily ;)).
ReplyDeleteThey need to read this! Awesome stuff!!