LifestylePREMIUM

How did Angelina Jolie break Instagram? She joined it

When the actress launched an account to defend the rights of Afghan women, she hit 2.2-million followers in under two hours

Angelina Jolie in  "Eternals".
Angelina Jolie in "Eternals". (MARVEL)

In an act of selfless humanitarian goodwill and in order to strike a blow against global indifference to the plight of Afghan women and girls left to the antediluvian clutches of the Taliban, Angelina Jolie has joined Instagram.

Jolie, mother of six, actor, director, producer, UN ambassador and superhero with a flying kick to put all other Hollywood comic-book franchisees to shame, joined the world of social media with a goddamn bang! She became the fastest user to hit 1-million followers. Ever. Take that, Ron Weasly. That's some real magic right there. Rupert Grint used to hold that trophy, after he caught the golden snitch in 4 hours, 1 minute. He snatched it in a power move from the now admittedly slightly aged clasp of David Attenborough, who took gold in 4 hours 44 minutes.

But Angie, oh Angie. She hit 2.2-million in under two hours. That's some way with the algorithm. At last count before going to print, she was sitting at close to 9-million followers. And she didn't even have to show her badass moves to do it. By that I mean no ass shots for her, with apologies to the reigning queen of the Gram - Kim - despite the speculation on Kim's implants and the apparent sudden diminution of her rear assets (which caused a flurry last week for about a social minute).

It seems heartbreaking letters from desperate girls in Afghanistan facing the prospect of long-term expulsion from formal education and the workplace, child bride marriages to elderly gents and a lifetime confined to blue sack cloth, have more traction.

Angelina is right to use her star power as a force for good. I'm sure the Taliban leadership will respond appropriately, and immediately modify their policies on this trenchant question, just as soon as they open their official Instagram account @shariamadeeasy.


Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Comment icon