George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s friendship reportedly strained over changing priorities

George Clooney and Brad Pitt reportedly face tension as allegations against Pitt complicate their friendship

George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s long-standing friendship is reportedly facing difficulties as the Hollywood actors navigate different priorities, according to sources cited by OK! Magazine.

The actors, who have maintained a close bond for decades, are said to be experiencing some distance amid scrutiny of allegations made against Pitt by his former wife, Angelina Jolie.

The reported tension also comes as Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, continue their work through the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

According to an insider quoted by OK!, there was uncertainty over whether Pitt would be invited to the annual Albies awards in London, an event hosted by the Clooneys to recognise people fighting for justice despite personal risks.

"It was touch-and-go whether Brad was to receive an invite, but it does note to me that he and George are no longer best buddies," the source said.

The insider claimed that George and Amal discussed the invitation before deciding to include Pitt, reportedly to prevent speculation about a feud from distracting attention from the foundation’s work.

Another source described the actors as being in "very different chapters of their lives, with different responsibilities and priorities". The insider added that Clooney’s work with Amal had become increasingly important to him.

"George's work with Amal has become increasingly central to everything he does, and he takes the reputation of their foundation extremely seriously," the source said.

Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in September 2016 following an incident aboard a private plane. She later made allegations of abusive behaviour during the flight, detailed in court documents reported by CBS News in 2022.

Pitt has consistently denied the allegations. Investigations by the FBI and Los Angeles child welfare authorities did not result in criminal charges.

The report of a possible strain in Clooney and Pitt’s friendship comes amid continuing reports of tension between Pitt and some of his children. According to reports, three of his children, Shiloh, Maddox and Zahara, have dropped his surname.

However, the claims about Clooney and Pitt’s relationship remain based on unnamed sources, and neither actor has publicly confirmed a rift.