Angelina Jolie ‘Feeling Alive Again’ for First Time Since Divorce: Wants to ‘Start Dating More’

Angelina Jolie is feeling confident and way less stressed coming off her minor victory against Brad Pitt recently, and she’s celebrating by doing a whole lot more socializing while quietly hoping to put herself out there and enjoy some romance as she heads into a much brighter-looking 2025.  

After a decade-long divorce battle with ex Brad, 60, that wore her out physically, emotionally and mentally, the actress, 49, is finally “feeling more confident right now than she has in years,” a source exclusively tells In Touch.

“All this praise from her peers has been wonderful and then to have this victory in court, she’s got a huge pep in her step right now.”

Angie had accused her ex husband of a “history of physical abuse,” that “started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles,” an accusation, which has been widely publicized and one that Brad denies. 

A judge ruled in November that the Wolfs actor must turn over documents and communications that the mother-of-six has says is proof he covered up the alleged domestic violence. A second source previously told In Touch that Angelina “is taking this as a huge win.” Adding, “she’s said from day one she will not be bullied, and that hasn’t changed,” especially now that she has some momentum and a lot more confidence compared to the last few years. 

The first source says, “it’s taken her a long time to build,” herself back up, “but she’s climbing out of a pretty dark place and ready to shine again.”

The insider notes that Angie’s good friend Salma Hayek has been there 100 percent of the way, as In Touch has reported, especially as it concerns her return to the industry in the past year. This “close friendship” with Salma, 58, “has done wonders” for the Salt actress. “Salma has really taken her under her wing and is such a big cheerleader for her. It’s no exaggeration she’s inspired her to take back her power and embrace her sexuality more again.” 

The Maria star also shined during her first late-night appearance in 10 years on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Shoeless, as she had “decided to not” wear any after breaking her toe and failing to find a pair that fit, she admitted to her host that she gets “very nervous on talk shows,” adding, “I get very uncomfortable, and I haven’t done one for like, a decade.”

With her confidence as an artist flourishing after positive critical reception of her most recent passion project comes the renewed vigor to overcome her shyness for these kinds of appearances.

“She was so shut off after the divorce, but she’s feeling alive again and saying she wants to really start dating more in 2025 and ideally even find a new partner,” the insider adds. “She normally shuns most industry things, but she’s feeling a lot more open, so accepting many of these endless invitations that are coming her way for Oscar parties and Christmas functions, she’s feeling very social for a change.”