The 97th annual Academy Awards just happened and guess who was missing from the red carpet glamour? Angelina Jolie. Yep despite rocking awards season earlier this year at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards Angie was a no-show at the biggest movie party of the year the Oscars . So what gives? Was it a deliberate snub a scheduling conflict or something else entirely? Let's get into it.
No Nomination No Show? Why Angelina Jolie Likely Wasn't at the 2025 Academy Awards Ceremony
Let's be real the most straightforward reason Angelina Jolie wasn't at the Oscars is pretty simple: she wasn't nominated and wasn't presenting. Her movie Maria where she played opera legend Maria Callas did get some awards buzz and Angie herself snagged Best Actress nominations at both the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes. But when it came to the Oscars neither Jolie nor Maria got the nod except for a single nomination for Best Cinematography.
So basically there wasn't a huge reason for her to be there in an official capacity. And Angie herself seems pretty chill about the whole awards season thing anyway. Back in February she mentioned to Backstage that she dips "in and out of it" and doesn't let it take over her life. She is focused on the "art" and not taking awards "too seriously". She sees acting as being a "sensitive human being" and connecting with other creative people not just chasing trophies.
The "Team Brad" Theory: Is Hollywood Still Siding With Brad Pitt in the Jolie-Pitt Divorce Drama?
Of course in Hollywood things are never just simple. Some people are wondering if there is more to Jolie's Oscar absence than just a lack of nomination. The rumor mill is swirling with talk of a possible "snub". And naturally with any Angelina Jolie story these days ex-husband Brad Pitt's name gets thrown into the mix.
The theory going around is that Hollywood might still be "Team Brad" after their very public and very messy divorce which was finally official in 2025. Could there be some kind of unspoken favoritism at play? Are Academy voters subtly siding with Brad and overlooking Angie? Some folks online definitely think so.
Film Expert Debunks "Team Brad" Oscars Snub Theory: Pointing to Movie's Lack of Buzz Instead
Before you jump to conclusions about Hollywood conspiracies a film expert is weighing in to pump the brakes on the " Team Brad" theory. Jonathan Kuntz a film historian and UCLA professor spoke to The Mirror US and said the idea that enough Academy voters would deny Jolie a nomination just out of loyalty to Pitt is "quite a stretch".
Professor Kuntz makes a few key points. First he notes that the modern Academy voters are "scattered all over the world" making old-school Hollywood favoritism less likely. Second he points out that Maria while getting some attention was not exactly a massive critical darling or a huge box office hit. He suggests Jolie's performance might have simply come in "sixth" place in the voting not quite making the top nominations.
Finally he reminds everyone that Jolie already has "three prior nominations and two wins" from the Academy. Basically she is already an Oscar darling and maybe voters felt it was someone else's turn this year. He also mentions that Maria being a Netflix streaming film might have hurt its visibility compared to big theatrical releases.
Focus on the Work: Angelina Jolie's Perspective on Acting and Awards
Ultimately Angelina Jolie's own words suggest she is not losing sleep over Oscar snubs or Hollywood drama. She seems genuinely focused on the craft of acting itself and the connection she makes with audiences. She told AARP Magazine that acting for her is about "becoming a more in-tune sensitive human being" and working with other artists to "share emotion". That is a pretty different perspective than chasing awards and red carpet appearances.
She even mentioned how grateful she is to still be working as an artist especially in Maria where she was "sitting with teachers teaching me a skill I never thought I’d learn" singing! For Jolie it is about the "privilege to be able to play with others to share emotion" and connecting with people who are touched by her films. Awards or no awards it sounds like Angelina Jolie is finding fulfillment in her work and her life.
2025 Best Actress Nominees: Who Were the Women in the Spotlight Instead of Jolie?
If Angelina Jolie wasn't nominated for Best Actress in 2025 who were the actresses who did get the coveted nods? Here is a list of the five talented women who were nominated in the category:
- Karla Sofía Gascón
- Cynthia Erivo
- Mikey Madison
- Demi Moore
- Fernanda Torres
These actresses represent a diverse range of performances and films. While some fans might have wished to see Jolie in the mix the Academy chose to spotlight these performances this year. Awards are subjective and there are always deserving performances that get overlooked. It's just part of the awards season game.
No Red Carpet Drama for Angie: Moving On With Life and Art Beyond the Oscars
So Angelina Jolie skipped the 2025 Oscars and there are various possible reasons why. Whether it was simply not her year for nominations a subtle industry bias or just a personal choice to avoid the frenzy it seems like Angie is doing just fine. She is focused on her kids her work and her artistic journey. And honestly maybe skipping the red carpet circus is a win in itself. She is Angelina Jolie after all she doesn't need an Oscar to prove her star power.