'I haven't had that kind of a connection in my life': Angelina Jolie reveals the co-star who has become a lifelong friend

Angelina Jolie has opened up about her friendship with fellow Hollywood icon Salma Hayek, praising their unique connection and bond.

The two acting titans became friends on the set of 2021’s Eternals - a Marvel superhero film - and reunited for the movie, Without Blood, directed by Angelina. Sharing that she’s never had a similar connection in her life, Angelina credits some of it to becoming friends later in life.

"I think it’s so nice we met at this later stage in our life, because we’ve been through so many similar things, experienced different things, and somehow have landed as older women in a very similar place."

Speaking to People, Angelina continued, "To appreciate that friendship and that bond and that understanding - I haven’t had that kind of a connection in my life."

Joining her in the interview, Salma was equally gushing in her support for Angelina. She said, "It’s hard to find that connection… I love her mind and I get her. So I think when you know somebody gets you, you feel safe and you can be whoever you are in whatever circumstances."

Salma divulged what it was like being directed by her friend for their new movie, an adaptation of Alessandro Baricco’s 2002 novella that follows two people dealing with the after-effects of war and trauma.

Salma shared, "Sometimes we would start passionately screaming at each other. Then I start crying and she hugs me, then we’re laughing nonstop. And from the outside, I could see people say, ‘What’s going on?'"

She continued, "I can say whatever. She’s never offended because it’s coming from me. And we’re talking about issues, and then we start crying because we’re moved, not because we made each other cry... And then we say something stupid and we start cracking up."

In 2021, while promoting the Marvel movie the two appeared in, Angelina even described Salma as a "sister".

She appeared on the Mexican talk show Ventaneando where she said, "I love Salma. She's one of the greatest gifts that came with this movie" before calling her "my sister" and adding that she was "wonderful".

Angelina’s friendship with Salma is not only a testament that people can make new friends at any age, it’s a change in what she has said in the past about having a close knit community around her.

The Oscar winning actress told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024 that she didn’t really have many close friendships. She revealed, "I don’t really have those kinds of relationships. Maybe it’s losing your parent young. Maybe it’s working.

"Maybe it’s being somebody who’s been betrayed a lot… I’ve had a few friends over the years not be there for my family in their hour of need."