Molly McPhersonCrisis and Reputation Strategist | Creator of Mollyfi | Host of The PR Breakdown

Many might call this divorce PR. I call it a PR move - a big one. Join me Aug. 12 Substack.

12 Aug 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:59

In this YouTube monologue, Molly McPherson examines Brad Pitt’s recent Esquire September cover where he disclosed that he has resumed drinking after seven years of sobriety. She argues that the timing and setting of the revelation are a calculated public‑relations maneuver rather than mere divorce‑related publicity, noting that the divorce with Angelina Jolie is already settled. McPherson outlines the ongoing legal battle over a winery they co‑owned, citing a May judge’s ruling on document production and a June win on depositions, with trial slated for next summer and disputes over the trial date. She emphasizes that such high‑profile disclosures are never spontaneous but involve trade‑offs and strategic messaging. McPherson promotes an upcoming members‑only Substack livestream (12 PM ET) where she and psychologist Dr. Abby Metcalf will dissect the PR tactics and psychological dimensions of Pitt’s announcement.

Chapters

Brad Pitt just said that he's drinking again after 7 years of sobriety. But that's not the story. The story is where he said it. Esquire, the September cover, the Mavericks of Hollywood issue. Now, many people might look at this as divorce PR, but that's not the case. The divorce is over and settled. What's still alive is the lawsuit over the winery he shared with Former wife Angelina Jolie. In May— checks notes— a judge told him he hadn't met his burden on 22 documents he wanted. In June, he won depositions. The trial's next summer, and they're still fighting over that date as well. Messy, messy. I don't want to touch the merits of the case or not. I'm not a legal expert, but communication, that's my lane, and this is what I want to focus on. Because nobody lands a September cover Without a trade-off. They don't decide suddenly in the room during the interview over a charcuterie board that they're going to disclose something incredibly personal as sobriety and why sobriety and drinking was a little bit of a bugaboo that he had to manage with his former wife, Angelina Jolie, and the kids, the plane incident, all of it. of it. But between the revelations, the photos, drinking a glass, we assume, of wine on the floor of a party, the smoking, all of it— it's the, it's the I don't give any more Fs about it attitude that's interesting. Tomorrow, 12 PM Eastern time, my Substack— I, I go live every week. This live is for the members only. Dr. Abby Metcalf is going to join me, and we are breaking down Brad Pitt. All of it. She does it from the human psychology point of view and I bring in the PR aspect. So, if you wanna join us tomorrow, 12:00 PM Eastern time, 'cause there is more to talk about.