Billy Bob Thornton Reflects on Unique Blood Vial Necklaces with Jolie

Billy Bob Thornton has revisited his unconventional marriage to Angelina Jolie, shedding light on the infamous blood vial necklaces they wore during their relationship. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the actor discussed the symbolism behind the necklaces, which contained a drop of each other’s blood. Thornton emphasized that this act was merely a romantic gesture, not a sinister practice as some might perceive.

“We each had a little locket, literally with a drop of blood in them,” Thornton explained. “That’s a romantic little idea, and that’s all that was. But by the time it’s over, we’re vampires. We live in a dungeon, we drink each other’s blood, and this kind of stuff.” The couple, who were married from 2000 to 2003, had a unique bond that extended beyond traditional norms.

In an earlier interview with Esquire, Thornton revealed that the idea came from Jolie due to their frequent separations. “She got two of those little lockets where you can open it up, put a picture of your grandma or whatever,” he said. The couple used a razor blade to draw a drop of blood, which they then smeared onto the lockets. “It’s a romantic gesture,” he reiterated.

Reflecting on their marriage, Thornton expressed that there were no hard feelings when they parted ways. “Angelina and I had a great time together. That was one of the greatest times of my life,” he stated. Their breakup was notably amicable, attributed to their differing lifestyles. Thornton noted, “We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different.”

The couple’s relationship unfolded in a time of increasing media fascination with celebrity pairings. “When we met, I was the more famous one,” he recalled. “Then when we got together, for some reason, the people and the media are very interested in celebrity couples.” This intense scrutiny made it challenging for them to maintain a private life.

Jolie, in a March 2004 interview with Vogue, spoke candidly about their split, stating it took her by surprise. She attributed their separation to the challenges of their acting careers. “Because we’re actors, we go away for months at a time and you grow and change separately,” she explained, noting that they eventually found themselves with “nothing in common.”

Although Jolie initially suggested she would not consider another relationship for several years, she later began a high-profile romance with Brad Pitt during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004. The couple married a decade later.

Thornton revisited the topic of the blood vials in 2014, recalling how the idea originated. “Angie came home one day with a kit she bought,” he told students at Loyola Marymount University. He described the lockets as being similar to those used for carrying pictures of loved ones. “She thought it would be interesting and romantic if we took a little razor blade and sliced our fingers,” he explained, “and you wear it around your neck just like you wear your son or daughter’s baby hair in one.”

Now married to Connie Angland since 2014, Thornton reflected on his journey with relationships. He expressed confidence in his current marriage, stating, “Connie and I have been together 23 years and married for 12.” He acknowledged his past marriages, remarking that they often stemmed from impulsive decisions rather than genuine connections.

Despite the unconventional nature of his past, Thornton remains untroubled by his marital history, highlighting the importance of finding stability. With a daughter together, Thornton and Angland have found a sense of harmony, contrasting with his earlier experiences.

The insights shared by Thornton offer a glimpse into a relationship that continues to intrigue fans, underscoring how love can manifest in unusual ways.