If the reports were true that Brad Pitt was previously asking Angelina Jolie to keep their high-profile divorce down low for the sake of their children and the “Lara Croft: Tombraider” actress still proceeded with it, it seems that she has realized now that the situation has become too hot to handle.
Jolie may have realized that her former husband’s suggestion was right but since she did not listen, she had to do something to fix the media thunderstorm regarding her high-profile divorce with Brad Pitt.
Given their status as A-lister celebrities, it was not surprising, to say the least, but when Jolie appeared to have acted on impulse, she actually put the privacy of their children at stake from the paparazzi and even the legitimate media outlets.
Now reports have it that the 41-year-old actress wants to get through with her third divorce with as little controversy or scandal as possible so she tapped the services of famous crisis manager Judy Smith to help her out.
Crisis managers are often referred to as fixers but in a positive way and not the negative connotation it implies.
Judy Smith is actually the real-life inspiration for Olivia Pope of the Shonda Rhimes hit TV series “Scandal” on ABC, played by Kerry Washington, reports E! Online.
A better adviser
Those who knows Smith says that she is typically a calming non-combative influence to her clients. They are also saying that she would give better advice to Angelina Jolie than what she has been getting before and after she filed the divorce papers in court.
Smith and her firm have had a long history of handling controversial and scandalous issues that have unfortunately generated too much public attention and the fixer that she is, she knows how to push for resolutions that are swift and discreet.
Other high-profile celebrities who had previously taken on the services of Judy Smith include Michael Vick, Paula Deen, and Monica Lewinsky, in light of that major scandal involving her and former US President Bill Clinton.
One of the biggest issues about the high-profile divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt is the custody battle over their six children – Maddox, Pax, Zahara, who are adopted, and biological children Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Jolie is seeking full custody of the six children because she believes it’s necessary right now while the Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles continue to conduct an inquiry into the allegations that Brad Pitt lunged at their son Maddox while they were aboard a private plane last month.
In fact, the actor has yet to see his children since the divorce broke wide open in the media last week. He issued a statement saying that he really wants to see the kids and to work out an arrangement that is best for them. But he wants things done privately and amicably.
Private negotiations now ongoing
If the reports are true, there are now ongoing private negotiations between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie but it is likely that the talking points are being discussed by their respective lawyers or representatives.
On top of the negotiations is the custody of their six children. Any custody agreement they could agree upon will have to be signed by a judge to make sure it is in the best interests of the children, reports People.
Many legal experts are saying that in private negotiations or in court, Jolie could have a difficult time gaining sole physical custody of the six children.
Atousa Saei, an L.A. family law attorney, explained that it is extremely difficult to be granted sole custody in a California court, absent some egregious behavior that directly impacts the best interest of the minor children.