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Brad Pitt bares his soul in GQ interview

Cape Town – Brad Pitt has given his first in-depth interview eight months after Angelina Jolie filed for divorce.

ICYMI, the Allied actor is the cover star of GQ Style’s summer issue and gives major silver fox vibes on the three covers for the issue.

Along with the 40-page portfolio taken on an eight day road trip, Brad also opened up to Michael Paterniti about how his life has changed in the past year.

The 53-year-old talks about accepting responsibility for what happened and admits that while it was self-inflicted, he is working on becoming a better person.

Here are 6 things Brad highlighted in his interview:

1. Going to therapy

Brad admitted in his interview he started going to therapy and loves it. “You know, I just started therapy. I love it, I love it. I went through two therapists to get to the right one.”

It was previously reported the entire family went for group and individual counselling following an incident aboard a private jet and Angie’s announcement thereafter.

2. No more alcohol

Brad also takes responsibility for why things fell apart when they did. He admits that part of the problem was using substances to avoid dealing with problems or issues, and it eventually caught up to him. He said: “I can't remember a day since I got out of college when I wasn't boozing or had a spliff, or something.”

Brad added that while he gave up everything except alcohol when he started his family, it still wasn’t enough. “I was boozing too much. It's just become a problem.”

It has now been “half a year” since Brad stopped drinking and it has forced him to deal with demons he was running away from.

3. Surviving on his own 

Since the split Brad has avoided staying at his Hollywood Hills home, “It was too sad to be here at first, so I went and stayed on a friend's floor.”

The Fight Club actor crashed at his friend’s place for just over a month, until a surveillance van pulled up and tapped into his friend’s computer. Paranoia, work and loneliness kept Brad moving from one friend’s couch to another however, he has settled in what was once a home filled with voices and bangs coming from everywhere and is now “very solemn.”

4. The kids come first

Since the day Angie filed for divorce, the number one priority has been the kids, and Brad can’t emphasise enough how he is working at dealing with his emotions rather than running away from them. “It's hit me smack in the face with our divorce: I gotta be more. I gotta be more for them. I have to show them. And I haven't been great at it.”

When asked how he makes sense of the past six months, Brad’s first words are, “Family first.” He adds: “People on their deathbeds don't talk about what they obtained or were awarded. They talk about their loved ones or their regrets.”

When approaching the issue with the kids, Brad acknowledged how they absorb absolutely everything, making it vitally important for both him and Angelina to treat the situation with the utmost care.

With regards to visitation and custody of the kids, Brad says things are better in terms of when he gets to see his kids. “I was really on my back and chained to a system when Child Services was called. And you know, after that, we've been able to work together to sort this out. We're both doing our best.”

5. Dealing with feelings

“For me this period has really been about looking at my weaknesses and failures and owning my side of the street.”

Brad’s days now consist of keeping himself busy through art and creativity, something he has taken a liking to. He explains: “I've been going to a friend's sculpting studio, spending a lot of time over there...I'm working with clay, plaster, rebar, wood. Just trying to learn the materials. You know, I surprise myself. But it's a very, very lonely occupation. There's a lot of manual labour, which is good for me right now.”

6. Letting go of Angie

At first, Brad never wanted to divorce Angelina, but the actor then admitted he now understands why he had to let go.

Brad explained: “The first urge is to cling on.

“And then you've got a cliché: “If you love someone, set them free.” Now I know what it means, by feeling it. It means to love without ownership. It means expecting nothing in return. But it sounds good written. It sounds good when Sting sings it. It doesn't mean fuck-all to me until...until you live it.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

(Photo: AFP)

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