Zahara Jolie appeared to publicly distance herself from her father’s surname during her graduation ceremony at Spelman College this week.
The 21-year-old graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology during the school’s commencement ceremony in Atlanta.
Name Change Draws Attention During Graduation
Although the official commencement program reportedly listed her as “Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt,” her name was announced aloud as “Zahara Marley Jolie” when she crossed the stage to receive her diploma.
The moment quickly drew attention online, especially given ongoing public interest surrounding the relationship between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and their children.
Not the First Time She Used Only ‘Jolie’
This is not the first time Zahara has publicly used only her mother’s surname. In 2023, she introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” while joining Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Spelman College.
She has also used the shortened version of her name during public appearances connected to charity and family events.
Close Relationship With Angelina Jolie
During a recent mother-daughter event, Zahara spoke emotionally about her bond with Angelina Jolie, praising her mother’s kindness, compassion, and dedication to helping others.
She described Jolie as a role model who raised her children to value empathy, growth, and service to others.
Jolie Previously Spoke Proudly About Zahara
Angelina Jolie has frequently spoken publicly about Zahara over the years, especially regarding her connection to her Ethiopian heritage and her personal growth.
In previous interviews, Jolie described her daughter as an “extraordinary African woman” and said she admired the strength of her identity and cultural connection.
Public Interest Around the Jolie-Pitt Family Continues
The Jolie-Pitt family has remained under intense public attention for years, particularly following the highly publicized split between Jolie and Pitt and the legal disputes that followed.
In recent years, several of the couple’s children have reportedly chosen to use variations of their names publicly, fueling ongoing speculation about family dynamics.
Graduation Marks Major Milestone
Despite the attention surrounding her name, the ceremony primarily celebrated Zahara’s academic achievement and completion of her psychology degree at one of the nation’s most respected historically Black colleges.
Supporters online congratulated her on the milestone while praising her confidence and independence.
