Angelina Jolie's time away from acting has made her "more grateful" for her career

speaking at a press conference for the movie at the Venice Film Festival on Thursday (29.08.24), she said: "I've needed to be home more with my family these last years, and in that time, I've maybe become more grateful to have the opportunity to ... be in this creative world that we are all fortunate to be a part of."

The 'Maleficent' star - who has Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with exc-husband Brad Pitt - was "terribly nervous" about singing in 'Maria' but thanked her sons for helping put her at ease.

She said: "I was terribly nervous; I spent almost seven months training. My first time singing, I remember being so nervous. My sons were there and they helped to block the door [so] that nobody else was coming in, and I was shaky.

"And [director Pablo Larraín], in his decency, started me in a small room and ended me in La Scala. So he gave me time to grow. I was frightened to live up to [Callas]."

Angelina joked that, after making the movie, she might even get involved in karaoke nights in the future.

Asked if she has a favourite karaoke song, she quipped: "I didn't sing before this [movie] so I haven't done karaoke, but now maybe I have a few!"

In December, Angelina admitted she wouldn't have opted to become an actress if she was starting her career now.

She told WSJ. magazine: "I wouldn't be an actress today.

"When I was starting out, it wasn't as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much."

The 'Girl, Interrupted' star - who is the daughter of actor Jon Voight and late actress Marcheline Bertrand - also admitted she has "never" been "very impressed" with Hollywood after growing up around it.

She said: "I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity.

"I never bought into it as significant or important."