Angelina Jolie may not have a singing background, but that didn’t stop her from tackling the role of opera legend Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s biopic 'Maria,' now streaming on Netflix. The film chronicles the final chapter of Callas’ life in Paris before her death in 1977. To prepare, Jolie spent nearly seven months training intensively with vocal coach Eric Vetro, known for working with Ariana Grande and Lea Michele.
"I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone improve so much from the first day to the last day," Vetro shared. Despite initial nerves, Jolie’s determination shone through. A standout moment came when she performed "O mio babbino caro," a soprano aria, which Vetro described as a turning point: "She’s the perfect person to play this role."
Did Angelina Jolie Really Sing in 'Maria'?
While Jolie performed live on set, her voice was blended with Maria Callas’ original recordings during post-production. Director Pablo Larraín explained to IndieWire that Jolie’s voice made up varying percentages of the final product, depending on the scene. He emphasized the importance of her live performances in creating an authentic portrayal: "She had to sing in front of the crew and extras to make it believable."
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How Jolie Prepared for the Role
Before 'Maria,' Jolie had no singing experience. At the Venice Film Festival, she admitted, "I didn’t sing before this, not even karaoke. Now maybe I have a few songs I could try!" Under Larraín’s direction, Jolie trained extensively in breathing, posture, and pitch, singing mostly in Italian. Reflecting on the challenge, Larraín said, "Opera isn’t something you can improvise—it requires dedicated training."
Jolie described the process as deeply emotional. In one lesson, she recalled, "I walked in, took a deep breath, and let out a sound. I started crying. Singing made me realize how much we hold inside." She later called the experience the best therapy she’d ever had.
