Their close relationship caused a stir back in 2000, when they famously kissed on the lips at the Academy Awards, but sources say Angelina Jolie, 49, and brother James Haven, 51, have drifted apart over recent years. And a source says his recent marriage to reality star Romi Imbelli didn’t help relations.

‘Angelina and James used to be so close, they were inseparable growing up,’ says a source. ‘They got a lot of backlash after that famous kiss at the Oscars, but it didn’t faze Angie one little bit. They kept their bond going for many years after and they weren’t just brother and sister. They were best friends and near enough soul mates.

‘But in recent years, they’ve drifted apart a bit. Angelina has been content to be more of a loner, while James has had his romantic ups and downs. He’s also kept a very low-profile Hollywood-wise, while Angelina’s kids are her full-time focus, as well as her support system.’

Both Angelina and James are certainly no strangers to high profile marriage splits. While Angelina’s protracted divorce from Brad Pitt rumbled on for eight years, James had a shock split from wife Romi Imbelli earlier this year. He wed The Real L Word star just seven months ago, in Laguna Beach California.

‘After careful consideration, I have decided to move forward with the annulment of my marriage to James Haven,’ Romi told People in a statement. ‘As reflected in public record, the reason cited remains fraud.This has been a deeply personal and difficult decision, but one that I feel is necessary for my own well-being. I appreciate the support of those who have stood by me, and at this time, I am focused on moving forward with clarity and peace.’

‘I’m finding healing through this process by putting my truth into words in my upcoming memoir, where I will share more about this chapter of my life and the journey that led me here.’

Romi and James married last August in an intimate ceremony, which followed a 23 year friendship between the pair. But Angelina who is mum to Maddox, 23, Zahara, 20, Pax, 21, Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16, was reportedly unable to attend the nuptials. And a source says that she feared her brother was making the wrong decision.
‘Angelina isn’t close to James the way she used to be, but they are still in touch and still see each other,’ says a source. ‘She would have absolutely gone to his wedding, but she couldn’t help worrying he was making a mistake. Understandably, he didn’t take that well, he had really hoped for her support.’

James famously once revealed how protective Angelina, who he called the ‘perfect woman’ is of him. ‘She wants me to be with the right woman. When you come from a divorced home, divorce is what you desperately want to avoid,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘Any woman has to go through two filters, me and then my sister.’

But while Angelina may not have been at the wedding, her father Jon Voight, 86, was there to celebrate with the newlyweds. However, the notoriously right-wing actor has had a famously fractious relationship with his daughter.

Last August, it was reported the pair were not on good terms after he spoke out about her divorce from Brad, saying, ‘The kids need some stability.’ And just weeks before the wedding, he publicly criticised Angelina, who is a UN ambassador, for supporting Palestine. ‘She’s been influenced by antisemitic people,’ he claimed. ‘Angie has a connection to the UN, and she’s enjoyed speaking out for refugees. But these people are not refugees.’

Now a source says that Jon and Angelina’s political differences haven’t helped family relations. ‘James is still very close to his dad,’ says a source. ‘Of course, Jon has polar opposite views to his daughter on politics, so that hasn’t helped their communication. They’ll all talk from time to time, but neither Jon nor James get to see Angie anything like as much as they’d like to. Her kids are her full time focus now.’  

While James has been navigating his own marriage split, Angelina has of course been dealing with her own messy divorce from Brad Pitt. The showbiz power couple met while filming spy thriller Mr and Mrs Smith in 2004 and finally wed in 2014, but in 2016 Angelina filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” They have since been locked in a high stakes war over custody, finances and even their prized Château Miraval winery. It wasn’t until last December that they finally reached a settlement, with Angelina’s lawyer saying she was ‘exhausted,’ but ‘relieved.’

In the immediate aftermath of the split, James reportedly stepped in to play ‘manny’ to Brad and Angelina’s six children, at their temporary home in Malibu. And in 2024, he made a rare public comment about supporting Angelina and her children. ‘I set my life up so I can be present with whatever the situation,’ he said. ‘The formative years, the young adults they’re going to become, I want to be there for them — or for her — whatever she’s going through.’

Now, a source says he is hoping his sister will be there to support him in his own hour of need. ‘Since James’ marriage broke down, he’s been calling Angelina for support, and asking to spend more time with her,’ says an insider. ‘He’s very upset right now, it’s been a traumatic time for him and, much like Angelina, he doesn’t have a whole lot of trusted people to lean on. But Angie feared this would happen, and she’s hoping he’ll learn from his mistake.’