Brad Pitt got candid about leaning on his loved ones in his "darker days", revealing that they were who he turned to when he was suffering pain and loss in his life.
The actor, who endured a highly publicized split from Angelina Jolie in 2016, followed by an eight-year legal battle, shared that having support from his friends and family was "everything".
Inside Brad Pitt's support network
© AFP via Getty Images"When I think of the darker days, it was certainly my close relationships that I relied heavily on," he said, according to The Sun. "Friends, dear close friends, a handful of close family, and [I] was very open about my struggle."
"And being able to be that free with people who love you and have your back, and that you love back, is everything. It's everything."
© Anadolu via Getty Images"The survivalists would tell us it's all about little wins," Brad continued. "You're going to suffer losses, you're going to suffer pain, but it's just getting to the next little win."
He added: "I thought that equated to life in that way, in the sense of when we are struggling and going through many challenges, just getting to that next little win, not thinking about the big picture, just that next little win."
Learn more about Brad's estrangement from his children below...
Brad and Angelina's split was marred with claims that he physically and verbally abused her during a private plane ride with their six children, while he was reportedly intoxicated.
After an investigation into the alleged incident by the FBI, Brad was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Brad Pitt's mental health journey
During this time, the father of six's mental health suffered, and he called on friends like George Clooney for support.
"We've been friends for a long time," George told GQ in 2024. "And it's fun because we also check in on each other every once in a while, which is an important part of this…you always have to make sure everybody's okay."
© Getty Images"George is probably the best at understanding, seeing the chessboard and the potential moves," Brad chimed in. "I'll call George on numerous occasions when things get bumpy." Brad has been open about his sobriety journey in the past, and explained that he had learned to restrain himself while drinking after years of hard work.
"I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon," he told Esquire. "[Now I drink] in a more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, Yep, nope, not good for me. Not in big quantities…I can't have a lot. I have to be professional about it."
Angelina Jolie's new beginnings
© Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Angelina shared that she had finally got her "fighting spirit" back after the lengthy divorce, which reportedly led to Brad's estrangement from his children.
"I think my fighting spirit is finally back," she told Variety. "I lost it for a bit. I got kind of taken down a little bit, and it's coming back in large part thanks to my children, who are now older, and encouraging it." Angelina and Brad share kids Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.
© Getty"My kids are almost all 18, so now they want to see me traveling the world; they want me to get out and do things," the Oscar winner added.
"They know me more than anybody, and they still like me, which says a lot. I think they're very encouraging of me kind of getting back to aspects of myself that maybe I hadn't felt as free to do."
