IN TUNE WITH HER EMOTIONS

As she receives plaudits for her role as opera legend Maria Callas, Angelina Jolie opens up about the solace to be found in singing your heart out

- LUCY ALLEN/ HOT FEATURES

As one of Hollywood's leading ladies, Angelina Jolie has developed confidence in her on-screen skills. But taking on the part of 1950s and '60s opera star Maria Callas meant the 49-year-old actress had to face one of her long-held insecurities: singing on camera.

She took on the challenge with gusto and was surprised by the emotional result. "I didn't really think I was going to be asked to actually sing," she says of tackling the title role in Maria.

"[Director Pablo Larraín] took me seriously as a singer, which was very moving to me. He said: 'Take a deep breath and then start to make sounds' - and I started crying. Because I think we all hold so much in that we don't really let out."