Does Angelina Jolie Manipulate the Media?

Fri., Nov. 21, 2008 11:42 AM PST by Jennifer Cady

Berliner Photo

Is the New York Times on Team Aniston? It would seem so, judging from this article that examines Angelina Jolie's crafty ways with the media.

The story explores how Angie manipulates crucial media moments in order to portray herself more favorably—all without the help of a publicist. This may seem pretty obvious to even the most casual tabloid reader, but we'll give the Times room to make their case.

For example, remember when she was a crazy blood-vial-necklace enthusiast who had sex with husband Billy Bob Thornton in the limo on the way to a red carpet event and then told reporters all about it? Well, after she decided she was done with that and the couple divorced, Us asked for an interview. She declined, but reportedly did offer a time and place where she would be hanging out with Maddox in public, so the mag could snap a few pictures of her looking like a single, young mom who was struggling to enjoy some private time with her son.

Or how about that time she fell in love with Brad Pitt while he was married to Jen?

Yeah, that was a mess, but it was also the perfect time for Angie to visit Pakistan for a tour of Afghan refugee camps and Brad to visit Kashmir to bring attention to the earthquake victims.

Angie's philanthropic adviser Trevor Neilson dismisses any connection between those two events, telling the Times, "People don't realize the complexity of what Angie is doing. A lot of her charity work is done quietly and not in front of the media."

Right on for charity work, but when she is in front of the media, the timing is definitely convenient.

As far as the baby-picture selling goes, the Jolie-Pitts seem to be very involved in the editorial process. In order to win the privilege of paying $14 million for pictures of the twins this past August, People reportedly had to submit an "editorial plan" for the layout, promise to never use the moniker Brangelina and guarantee positive coverage would be positive forever. Breaking any of these rules is punishable by, er, death?

Anyone surprised? Yeah, didn't think so. It's more surprising the Times cares so much, but they have to keep it fresh over there. In other Team Aniston news, the Daily Beast just came out as a supporter, so once again we're going to have to give Jen the win this week.