Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has given his first interview since his high-profile divorce from Angelina Jolie - discussing his 'emotional retardation', alcohol dependency and the custody battle over his kids.
In the revealing GQ feature, the 53-year-old said his split from Jolie, which took place in September last year after his Mr. & Mrs Smith co-star cited irreconcilable differences, was "like a death" - and opened up on the pain he's been experiencing since.
"For me this period has really been about looking at my weaknesses and failures and owning my side of the street," Pitt said.
"I am those things I don't like. That is a part of me. I can't deny that. I have to accept that. And in fact, I have to embrace that. I need to face that and take care of that. Because by denying it, I deny myself.
"I am those mistakes. For me every misstep has been a step toward epiphany, understanding, some kind of joy. The avoidance of pain is a real mistake."
Jolie told the BBC in February that she, Pitt and their children would "always be a family" - and Pitt reciprocated that goodwill, saying divorce proceedings and custody arrangements had become more amicable over time.
However he admitted that he hadn't been as good a father to his six children as he wanted, saying he has been "someone who's let the work take me away" and needed to "be more for them".
"Kids are so delicate. They absorb everything. They need to have their hand held and things explained. They need to be listened to," he said.
"When I get in that busy work mode, I'm not hearing. I want to be better at that."
He also admitted to being "very retarded when it comes to taking inventory of my emotions", saying it was something he inherited from his father and needed to overcome for the betterment of his children.
Pitt says his dependency on alcohol, which came to light after the divorce, has been something he has failed to deal with - and something he went to in an attempt to help him run from his feelings.
"I mean, I stopped everything except boozing when I started my family. But even this last year, you know - things I wasn't dealing with. I was boozing too much. It's just become a problem," he said.
"Truthfully I could drink a Russian under the table with his own vodka. I was a professional. I was good."
Pitt says he has frustrations about how the media has "sensationalised" and "misconstrued" details of his divorce - but says things are getting better now and he's "got feelings in my fingertips again".
But he admits it will likely take him a while longer to completely overcome.
"I know I'm just in the middle of this thing now and I'm not at the beginning of it or at the end of it, just where this chapter is right now, just smack-dab in the middle," he said.
"It's f**king in the middle of it and, you know, I just don't want to dodge any of it. I just want to stand there, shirt open, and take my hits."
Read the full GQ interview with Brad Pitt here.
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