It is the gossip that refused to die, a viral phantom that haunted a young actress for years. The internet is once again abuzz with the alleged romance between Hollywood titan Brad Pitt and British star Ella Purnell—a story that had everything: a 32-year age gap, a bitter ex-wife angle, and a young starlet. There was only one problem: it was a complete lie.

The rumor mill first churned in 2017, claiming Pitt was "enchanted" by Purnell, who had played the younger version of Angelina Jolie in Maleficent. The narrative was perfect tabloid fodder—Pitt replacing Jolie with her literal younger self. But as Purnell has now clarified in a definitive takedown of the myth, she had never even met the man.

Anatomy of a Fake News Cycle

The resurgence of this story serves as a case study in how baseless speculation becomes "fact" in the digital age. Purnell, then 21, was cast in Sweetbitter, a show produced by Pitt’s company, Plan B. That tenuous professional link was enough for the tabloids to invent a passionate affair.

The reality was far less cinematic:

• The "Meeting" That Never Happened: Purnell confirmed she had zero personal contact with Pitt during the production.
• The Sexist Undertone: The actress pointed out the misogyny in the rumors, which implied she only landed the role due to a sexual connection rather than her talent.
• The Fallout: While the internet clicked, Purnell faced harassment and accusations of being a "homewrecker" for a marriage that had already ended.

Why It Matters Now

Ella Purnell is no longer just the "young Angelina"; she is a powerhouse lead in Fallout and Yellowjackets. Her decision to address these rumors now is an act of reclaiming her narrative. It exposes the predatory nature of celebrity journalism that treats young actresses as accessories to aging male stars.

As the rumor finally dissolves under the weight of the truth, the lesson remains: in the echo chamber of social media, a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes. Brad Pitt and Ella Purnell were never a couple, but they will forever be a case study in the fiction of fame.