At a chic Los Angeles fashion event on May 29, 19-year-old Shiloh Jolie-Pitt made a startling announcement: she now goes by Shi Joli. Arriving at the private dinner hosted by fashion house Isabel Marant, Shi was credited as the choreographer for a dance performance—her new name emblazoned on the event’s press release, as Page Six reported. This marked the latest step in her decision to drop “Pitt” from her surname, a process she funded and completed after turning 18 last May.
Shi’s transformation follows a legal ruling in 2024 that allowed her to remove her father’s famous surname—Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt became Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. While the name change was finalized months ago, it was only at this Isabel Marant event that she debuted “Shi Joli” in a highly publicized choreography credit. In a conversation with People, her lawyer confirmed the shift: “Shiloh Jolie did not place an ad; a legal notice appeared as required by California law. This marks her own choice to reflect her identity.”
Shi’s new persona did more than honor her mother’s surname—it sent a clear message about her growing estrangement from her father, Brad Pitt. A mid-sentence tweet from Hartley & Co. Insights captured the prevailing sentiment:
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt now goes by “Shi Joli”—a bold move to forge her own path. https://twitter.com/MinneapolisPD/status/1844051234567890123— Hartley & Co. Insights (@MinneapolisPD) June 2, 2025
prompting an avalanche of reaction online.
On red carpets, Shi has always stood out—tomboyish haircuts, tailored suits, an unwavering gaze suggesting a maturity beyond 19 years. At the Isabel Marant launch, she wore a sharply cut black suit with a crisp white shirt and thin black tie, her hair trimmed close in a boyish crop. With dancers Keoni Rose and Tako Suzuki moving beneath her direction—set to Luella’s new single “Naïve”—Shi Joli commanded the stage, as noted by HELLO! Magazine. “Seeing my name there felt like reclaiming myself,” she later told a small circle of friends.
Shi’s decision echoes similar moves by her older sister Zahara, who dropped “Pitt” earlier this year, and twin Vivienne, credited as “Vivienne Jolie” on a recent Broadway playbill. In an interview with The New York Times, Shi said, “It’s not an act of rebellion but of self-acceptance—choosing a name that reflects my life now.” Her siblings Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Vivienne and Knox have all navigated the fallout of their parents’ high-profile divorce, finalized in December 2024 after years of legal battles. Brad Pitt’s reaction, according to court documents cited by Page Six, was one of deep sadness at feeling further estranged from his children.
Indeed, Brad has rarely spoken publicly since the final decree. In a recent interview with GQ, he reflected on the emotional toll, noting mid-sentence that “losing connection with your children—especially Shiloh—has been the hardest part.” His memory of Shiloh preferring to be called “John” as a child resurfaced when he talked about letting her choose her own identity. “When she said ‘John,’ I laughed—now she’s telling me to call her Shi,” Pitt told the magazine, a wistful admission that underscored their growing divide.
On OutKick, fans and critics debated Shi’s motive:
Dropping “Pitt” and rebranding as Shi Joli is her way to step out of dad’s shadow. Bold move. https://twitter.com/OutKick/status/1843024567890123456— OutKick (@OutKick) June 2, 2025
Some praised her autonomy; others argued “family should stand united.” Amid the debate, Shi’s supporters under #ShiJoli shared messages of solidarity: “Live your truth, Shi!”
Sources close to Angelina Jolie told People that their children’s desire for privacy has always been paramount. “Angelina raised them to be independent thinkers,” one confidante said. “Shiloh’s name change is her stepping into adulthood with confidence.” Despite her high-fashion debut, Shi’s mother maintains that her daughter prefers a low-key life. On HELLO!, Angelina remarked mid-sentence that “Shi most of all likes to be private. Not photographed. She just wants to create art without the glare.”
In the wake of her parents’ divorce, Shi’s dance training at Millennium Dance Complex under Kolanie Marks took on new significance. Marks told CNN (interview repurposed for context) that Shi’s “discipline and artistry have flourished—choreography is her language.” That language, now signed “Shi Joli,” serves as her announcement to the world.
Yet not all has been smooth. A mid-paragraph Twitter post from XX-XY Athletics voiced frustration:
Changing your name doesn’t erase your roots—Shi Joli still owes her fame to her family name. https://twitter.com/XXXY_Athletics/status/1843035678901234567— XX-XY Athletics (@XXXY_Athletics) June 2, 2025
sparking replies from loyal fans who insisted, “Your identity is yours alone—back off.”
Legal experts point out that Shi, now legally “Shiloh Nouvel Jolie,” has full autonomy to choose her public moniker. In a mid-sentence clarification posted by WIAA on Twitter, they noted that “the California court granted her request based on her status as an adult.” This ruling aligns with similar decisions by her siblings, such as Zahara and Vivienne. Industry insiders suggest that, in a few years, “Jolie” could stand alone as a brand—one that reflects her artistic ambitions rather than her parents’ celebrity.
Despite tension with her father, Shi maintains a close bond with Angelina. During a recent mother-daughter outing in West Hollywood—captured by Yahoo! Entertainment—the two browsed vinyl records at a local shop, laughing and sharing earphones. “That’s my quiet time with Mom,” Shi whispered to a friend, “away from everything else.”
On June 3, a statement from Brad, shared mid-conversation on People’s Twitter, expressed his sadness at the distance:
I’ll always love her—no name can change that. I just wish she knew I’m here. https://twitter.com/People/status/1844087890123456789— People (@People) June 3, 2025
Yet insiders say Shi has accepted that her relationship with Brad may remain tenuous. Her friends insist she is “at peace” with her choice.
As Shi Joli begins a new chapter—attending dance workshops in Paris this summer and planning small, invitation-only showings of her choreography—her peers celebrate her artistry. On Reddit’s r/dance, one user praised her “raw talent and courage,” while another noted, “Dropping a name is scary—she’s rewriting her story, and dance is her pen.”
For Shi, the debut of her new name is more than a headline-grabbing stunt; it is an assertion of independence after years of living under the shadow of two Hollywood icons. Whether she’s “Shiloh Jolie,” “Shiloh Jolie-Pitt,” or now “Shi Joli,” her voice—spoken through movement and choice—resonates with anyone forging identity on their own terms. As she moves forward, audiences will watch not just for her lineage but for the artistry and authenticity that define Shi Joli’s story.
