EntertainmentAngelina JolieBrad Pitt'Scandal'

Angelina Jolie Reportedly Hires Real-Life Olivia Pope To Handle Brad Pitt Divorce

Shonda Rhimes just got herself a sweeps storyline.
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By 

Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s relationship is essentially the closest thing we have to a real-life soap opera, so it’s fitting that the newest guest star in this trainwreck of a divorce is none other than Olivia Pope IRL. 

Someone’s going to need a bigger wine glass. 

According to People magazine, Jolie has reportedly hired crisis manager Judy Smith, who inspired actress Kerry Washington’s character Olivia on ABC’s “Scandal,” to put her spinning skills to the test and help Jolie exit her marriage unscathed. 

“Judy has been asked to consult with those working with Angelina on divorce negotiations,” a source told People. “Judy and her firm have a long history of handling issues that have unfortunately garnered too much attention in the public eye, and she knows how to push towards resolutions that are swift and discreet.”

Smith, who began her career as deputy press secretary under former President George H. W. Bush, has “handled” a fair share of major scandals over the years at her firm Smith & Company, including rehabilitating Monica Lewinsky’s image, smoothing over Paula Deen’s racist slurs and advising Michael Vick post–dog fighting. 

She also acts as the co-executive producer on “Scandal” and lends her technical expertise when needed.

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Kerry Washington and Judy Smith on the set of "Scandal."
Vivian Zink via Getty Images

But Brangelina could be her toughest case to date, considering the high-profile nature of the split and how things for the couple continue to go from bad to worse.

After news broke earlier this month, Jolie requested sole physical custody of the couple’s six children. We later learned that Pitt was reportedly being investigated for child abuse after an incident on their private plane, but is now fully cooperating with the Department of Child and Family Services to put the issue to rest. 

Smith will be the latest addition to Team Jolie, which boasts the talented celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser, while Pitt has retained the services of family law attorney Lance Spiegel. Negotiations between the two are reportedly underway, and if our guesstimates are correct, this could be over within the week.

It’s been handled.

The Huffington Post has reached out to Smith & Company, as well as Jolie’s representatives for comment and will update the post accordingly. 

 

CORRECTION: Judy Smith was deputy press secretary under former President George H. W. Bush, not his son former President George W. Bush. 

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Before You Go

Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie: Their Romance In Pictures
(01 of26)
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In December 2005, Brad's publicist confirms that he is in the process of becoming a legal parent to Maddox and Zahara, who Angelina adopted in 2003 and 2005, respectively. The request is approved and the children's surnames are changed to Jolie-Pitt. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of26)
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In 2006, they become parents to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt and hold a press conference to share the news. Shiloh was born in Namibia on 27 May. (credit:AFP/Getty Images)
(03 of26)
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The couple often travel together with all of their children while filming various projects around the world. In November 2006, they stay in India with Zahara and Maddox while Ange films 'A Mighty Heart'. (credit:STR/AFP/Getty Images)
(04 of26)
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December 2006: Brad supports Angelina at the premiere of her film 'The Good Shepherd'.
(05 of26)
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Angelina first publicly confirmed their relationship when she announced her pregnancy in 2006. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of26)
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In December 2006, Angelina gives an interview where she addresses reports claiming she began dating Brad while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Angelina states that while they became "very good friends" during filming, they did not pursue a romantic relationship until after his split from Jen. (credit:Francois Durand/Getty Images)
(07 of26)
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Angelina's comments anger Brad's ex Jennifer Aniston, who brands the actress's actions "not cool".
(08 of26)
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the premiere for 'A Mighty Heart' at the Palais des Festivals during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on 21 May, 2007.
(09 of26)
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In 2007, Angelina adopts Pax from Vietnam, where he was abandoned as a baby. Angelina adopts Pax as a single parent as Vietnam laws state unmarried couples cannot adopt children. (credit:James Devaney via Getty Images)
(10 of26)
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the audience at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2008. (credit:Getty)
(11 of26)
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Angelina confirms that she is pregnant with twins at Cannes Film Festival in May 2008. (credit:Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)
(12 of26)
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In July 2008, Angelina gives birth to son, Knox Léon, and daughter, Vivienne in a Nice hospital. The couple sold the photos for millions of pounds and donated the money to charity. (credit:Alberto E. Rodriguez via Getty Images)
(13 of26)
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrives at the 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Center in January 2009 in Santa Monica, California. (credit:Steve Granitz/WireImage)
(14 of26)
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Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards in February 2009. (credit:Steve Granitz/WireImage)
(15 of26)
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Angelina and Brad arrive at the premiere of 'Inglourious Basterds' in August 2009. (credit:Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(16 of26)
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Brangelina at the Los Angeles Premiere 'Salt' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on 19 July 2010 in Hollywood, California. (credit:WireImage)
(17 of26)
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In 2011, Brad speaks to People about his previous marriage, telling the mag he spent a lot of time "sitting on a couch, holding a joint" in the '90s. "I think that my marriage had something to do with it," he said. "Trying to pretend the marriage was something that it wasn't." (credit:FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/Getty Images)
(18 of26)
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Brad supports Ang at the premiere of 'In The Land Of Blood And Honey', which she wrote, directed and produced. (credit:Getty Images)
(19 of26)
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In 2012, the couple announce their engagement. The actress's engagement ring is rumoured to have cost around $250,000, with Brad being "heavily involved" in the design. (credit:AP)
(20 of26)
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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of26)
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The actors attend 'In the Land Of Blood And Honey' Pairs premiere on February 16, 2012 in Paris, France. (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of26)
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Angelina and her leg steal the show at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in February 2012. (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of26)
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Brad gives his most revealing interview to date in Esquire, praising his then fiance for "heroic" way of dealing with her double mastectomy. 'It was really important to her to share the story and that others would understand it doesn't have to be a scary thing" he states. "In fact, it can be an empowering thing, and something that makes you stronger and us stronger.' (credit:AP)
(24 of26)
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2013: Brad opens up about his previous marriage to Jennifer, stating he spent a lot of time doing too much "drug damage" to himself while in the relationship. (credit:AP)
(25 of26)
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Angelina attends a 'Maleficent' photocall. The couple's daughter Vivienne also stars in the movie. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(26 of26)
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Angelina and Brad attend the Oscars in 2014, where Brad's film '12 Years A Slave' scoops a number of Awards, including Best Picture. (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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