Angelina Jolie has joined Instagram—and her first post is so inspirational

(Image credit: Getty)

published 21 August 2021

Angelina Jolie is officially on Instagram—but she'll be using it on behalf of oppressed people across the world rather than for selfies.

The actor joined the social networking site on Friday night and received a whopping 2.1 million new followers in just three hours.

This means she beat Jennifer Aniston's previous record for the quickest growth to 1 million followers after her October 2019 debut on the social networking site—it took her five hours and 16 minutes.

Angelina describes herself in her bio as, "Mom, filmmaker, Special Envoy for UN refugees."

While Jennifer used her first post to share a throwback photo with her Friends co-stars, for Ange's first post, she chose to share a photograph of a heartbreaking letter from a terrified teenage girl in Afghanistan now facing Taliban rule, and a photo of women wearing burkhas.

A post shared by Angelina Jolie (@angelinajolie)
A photo posted by on

Explaining her reason for joining Instagram, she wrote, "This is a letter I was sent from a teenage girl in Afghanistan."

"Right now, the people of Afghanistan are losing their ability to communicate on social media and to express themselves freely. So I’ve come on Instagram to share their stories and the voices of those across the globe who are fighting for their basic human rights."

She added, "It is sickening to watch Afghans being displaced yet again out of the fear and uncertainty that has gripped their country."

"To spend so much time and money, to have blood shed and lives lost only to come to this, is a failure almost impossible to understand. Like others who are committed, I will not turn away. I will continue to look for ways to help. And I hope you’ll join me."

A post shared by Jennifer Aniston (@jenniferaniston)
A photo posted by on

Angelina also shared an Insta story, linking to an article she has written for Time Magazine about the Afghanistan crisis.

The actor has been flooded with praise already, with one fan commenting, "I am an Iraqi girl and I love you very much because you are an example of humanity and compassion in addition to a more than wonderful actress."

Another added, "So proud of you! Thank u so much for using your voice."

Well done, Angelina.

Robyn is a celebrity and entertainment journalist and editor with over eight years experience in the industry. As well as contributing regular to woman&home, she also often writes for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman's Weekly and The Sun.