Brad Pitt Vs. The Paparazzi

So far today, the only headline I’ve been seeing everywhere about the Jolie-Pitt family is one where Brad Pitt finally loses his cool with the paparazzi. The story goes that Brad was out shopping with Zahara, and a pap not only started snapping pictures but used a short lens and got right up in their faces. After becoming more and more agitated, allegedly Brad lost it. A “source” or a “witness” said:

“This paparazzi guy was right in his face taking pictures. Brad grabbed the guy by the collar and said, ‘Get the f**k away from me!’”

I don’t believe it at all right now, not because I think Brad is so perfect that he never loses his temper – I just don’t believe it because none of the reputable sources have reported it. I’ve only seen it on a ton of blogs and a couple of tabloid-ish sites.

That being said, whether I believe it or not, if it ever did happen – and frankly I can’t believe it doesn’t happen more often with a lot of celebrities – I wouldn’t blame Brad one bit. I mean, I’m not into violence unless it’s just on a television or movie screen, so I wouldn’t condone beating the crap out of a photographer, but I wouldn’t blame Brad if he did someday grab someone and tell them where to stick their camera. He has repeatedly stated that he understands that people are interested in him, in Angelina, and in their kids and that he understands people want pictures. All he has ever asked is that photographers have the courtesy and respect to keep their distance and use zoom lenses to take photos when they’re out with their kids.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are both very gracious when they walk the red carpet, do interviews, attend events, and do photocalls. I see no reason for paparazzi to continue to hound the children – the Jolie-Pitt children, Violet Affleck, Suri Cruise, Kingston Rossdale, all of them – with short lenses, screaming in their faces. Some countries have laws to protect the children of celebrities from that sort of thing, and I wish they would start enforcing something like that here.

Mary-Louise Parker has spoken out about it too, disgusted by the way the paparazzi hunt after Brad, her co-star. She said:

“I think it’s inhumane. The media’s gotten more and more salacious, they’re just ruthless.
“As people, I think it’s our duty to protect children at whatever cost and they really exploit the children of celebrities, especially their (Jolie and Pitt’s) children, at whatever cost to get a picture of them (sic).
“It feels really immoral to me. It’s not fair for them. I think they actually handle it well.”

I wholeheartedly agree. I love the pictures – red carpet and candid, the two of them and the kids – but surely there is a better way to get those shots we all love to see without going overboard and stepping on toes.

So no, I don’t believe Brad actually snapped at a photographer, but sometimes I really wish he would. I’d certainly still be a fan.

(Paparazzi&Photo source // MLP source

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