In a recent turn of events, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s biological daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt has decided to legally drop her father’s surname. The actress, famously known for Kung Fu Panda 3, recently turned 18 on May 27, when she submitted a petition to a Los Angeles court to drop Pitt from her name.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt | image: Tiktok/shilohpitt© Provided by FandomWire

While some fans were quick to blame Angelina Jolie for influencing this decision, a new report revealed that Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt made this choice independently, without her mother’s knowledge or input. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that the 18-year-old officially requested to drop Brad Pitt’s surname from her own hyphenated surname by hiring her own lawyer.

Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt Submitted a Petition for Name Change

The details of their separation and settlement agreement are yet to be reached, despite Angelina Jolie filing for divorce from Brad Pitt in September 2016. Meanwhile, the former couple’s biological daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt made headlines for her independent decision of dropping her father’s surname from her name.

“Pitt clearly is trying to gain an unfair advantage”: Angelina Jolie Won’t Let Brad Pitt Use “Contested Evidence” to Defile Ongoing $350 Million Lawsuit© Provided by FandomWire

Following in her sister Vivienne’s footsteps, who dropped Brad Pitt’s surname in her listing in a Playbill program for a production of The Outsiders on Broadway, via BBC, even Shiloh Jolie-Pitt took a similar decision upon turning 18. Being the third-eldest of the former couple’s six children, the Kung Fu Panda 3 actress submitted a petition to drop Pitt from her name.

Angelina Jolie in Maleficent | Walt Disney Pictures© Provided by FandomWire

Even Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s eldest daughter Zahara was once seen and heard introducing herself as Zahara Marley Jolie in a 2023 video on joining Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College. However, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt seems to be the first of the siblings to file a formal petition for a legal name change.

The Actress’ Choice Came Independently Without Angelina Jolie’s Knowledge

Meanwhile, as the 18-year-old actress got tabloid-laden for her decision to drop Brad Pitt‘s last name from her own hyphenated surname, netizens began accusing Angelina Jolie of plaguing her children’s minds. Calling out the Lara Croft actress for influencing her young kids’ minds with her marital issues with Brad Pitt, fans slammed Jolie for maintaining silence over the matter.

“They want nothing to do with Brad”: Shiloh Reportedly Changing Legal Name to Erase Brad Pitt’s Legacy, Only Keeping Mom Angelina Jolie’s Last Name© Provided by FandomWire

However, insiders with knowledge about the matter told ET that Angelina Jolie is completely dumbfounded by Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt’s decision. According to sources, the 18-year-old hired her own lawyer and paid for the legal fees herself, ensuring that her mother was left out of the loop. Eager to establish her own identity, the young actress’ bold decision proved that she is free from the influence of her parents’ highly publicized divorce.

Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself, so Angie doesn’t know and can’t speak for it.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith | 20th Century Studios© Provided by FandomWire

According to sources, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt filed her request in court on May 27, the day she turned 18. Hoping to legally change her name and simply go by “Shiloh Jolie” or “Shiloh Nouvel Jolie”, the actress filed the paperwork. However, this report further led people to speculate the actual reason behind the 18-year-old’s decision, when a mole told Life & Style,

[Shiloh] is not trying to hurt her dad’s feelings. She has sympathy that he’s estranged from some of her siblings, but she idolizes her mom and is just doing what feels comfortable.

Therefore, stating that Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt is simply exercising her independence and taking control of her own life, sources explained the whole process in detail.