From streetwear hoodies to red carpet glitter, see how Shiloh became a LGBTQ+ fashion icon.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s firstborn had secret surgery, home-quarantined during Covid-19 and inspired millions to be their authentic selves – plus four more celebrity kids breaking gender boundaries, like NBA star Dwyane Wade’s Zaya

In a year when celebrities were as locked down as we were, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt continued to make headlines and be an LGBTQ+ idol to millions around the world.

Instead of simply being famous as the first biological child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Namibia-born Shiloh gained global attention for breaking the mould.

In a 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Brad opened up about raising Shiloh: “She only wants to be called John. John or Peter. It’s a Peter Pan thing. And then I’ll say, ‘John, would you like some orange juice?’ And she goes, ‘No!’”

Angelina told Vanity Fair in a 2010 interview that Shiloh has been exploring gender since age three. “She wants to be a boy,” Jolie said. “So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boy clothes. She thinks she’s one of her brothers.”

Since then, Shiloh has continued to defy expectations. Here’s how the iconic teenager made STYLE headlines in 2020.

5 new things we learned about Shiloh

US actress Angelina Jolie poses with Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt during the European premiere of Disney’s Maleficent: Mistress of Evil in 2019 in Rome. Photo: AFP

Shiloh, who turned 14 in 2020, has become an LGBTQ+ icon to young kids around the world. So what did the famous teen get up to while the world battled the pandemic?

From mystery surgery to inspiring her mother’s latest film project, here’s what we learned about Shiloh this year …
How Shiloh transformed from being known as Brad and Angelina’s child to an LGBTQ+ idol

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt with siblings Zahara, Vivienne, Knox and Pax Thien and mum Angelina Jolie at the premiere of First They Killed My Father New York premiere in New York City in 2017. Photo: Getty Images

Even before Shiloh was born, she was already making waves worldwide as Angelina and Brad’s first biological child. When she was just eight months old, she was immortalised in a wax figure at Madame Tussauds.

But instead of becoming just another celebrity kid, Shiloh has turned into an LGBTQ+ idol, while living a rather low-key and private life – here’s why.

Why Shiloh is an LGBT fashion icon

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt prefers to be known as John. Photo: @shiloh.jolie.pitt/Instagram

Since announcing that she prefers to be known as John, Shiloh has adopted a powerful voice for the LGBTQ+ community – and that extends to her fashion choices.

Angelina revealed Shiloh’s masculine style in an interview back in 2010, saying, “She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys’ everything. She thinks she’s one of the brothers.”

From streetwear hoodies to red carpet glitter, see how Shiloh became a LGBTQ+ fashion icon.

The next Shiloh Jolie-Pitts?

Jackson with sister August and mum Charlize Theron. Photo: @charlizeafrica/Instagram

Finding your truth and being your authentic self is already tough for most teenagers, so imagine trying to do so when you’re the child of a famous celebrity – and when you don’t identify with the gender assigned to you at birth.

NBA star Dwyane Wade with Zaya and Gabrielle Union. Photo: @gabunion/Instagram
Fortunately, celebrity children like Shiloh and Jackson are able to be – and celebrate – their true selves thanks to the support of their famous parents. Here are four more celebrity children breaking gender boundaries.