Actress Natalie Portman recently revealed how meeting Rihanna earlier this year helped her regain her confidence and strength after her 12-year marriage to choreographer Benjamin Millepied ended.
Portman, 43, spoke about the life-changing encounter with Rihanna during a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “It was a great experience for me,” Portman said. “I think every woman going through a divorce should have Rihanna say, ‘You’re a badass woman.'”
A Powerful Encounter at Paris Fashion Week
Portman and Rihanna crossed paths at Paris Fashion Week in January while Portman was in the midst of finalizing her divorce from Millepied. The two were seen embracing outside the Dior Haute Couture show, where a heartwarming moment between them was captured on video. In the viral clip, Portman expressed her admiration for Rihanna, saying, “I love you.” Rihanna, ever gracious, responded, “I’m a big fan of yours.” She added, “You’re one of the hottest girls in Hollywood. Forever. You’re so innocent. I don’t usually get excited about people like that, but you’re an exception. I admire you so much.”
Portman revealed that this exchange left a lasting impact on her. “It was exactly what I needed,” she shared. “It was a defining moment for me. She helped me so much and I’m forever grateful to her. Rihanna is the hottest.”
A Year of Challenges for Portman
Portman’s personal life had been in turmoil in the months leading up to her meeting with Rihanna. In June, reports surfaced that Millepied, her husband of more than a decade, had been involved in an affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Étienne. Voici.fr, a French publication, detailed the affair, which reportedly took place while Portman was still married. The report claimed that Étienne had visited Millepied’s office in Paris, where they spent nearly two hours together.
Portman, though devastated, chose not to publicly address the scandal immediately. Instead, she quietly filed for divorce in July, and it was not until March of this year that the actress confirmed the separation. During this time, Portman removed her wedding ring and began to focus on healing with the support of her close friends and family.
Support from Friends and a Newfound Strength
Despite the challenges, Portman emerged from the difficult year stronger than ever. For her 43rd birthday, the actress shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing gratitude for her friends who had supported her during the tough times. “This year, on my birthday, I want to express my gratitude to the friends who have supported me over and over again,” she wrote.
A close friend of Portman shared that the actress struggled at first, but thanks to her friends, she was able to regain her strength. “Natalie went through a painful year, but she has come through it strong and is finding joy with her family, friends, and work,” the friend revealed.
About Natalie Portman
Born in 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel, Natalie Portman is an acclaimed Israeli-American actress who won an Oscar for her role in Black Swan (2010) and has earned two Golden Globe awards. She gained early fame for her portrayal of Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars franchise and later starred in the Thor series alongside Chris Hemsworth.
Portman met Millepied while working on Black Swan, and their relationship quickly blossomed. They married in 2012 and have two children together. However, their marriage ended in 2023 after a series of personal challenges.
With the support of her friends, Portman has emerged from her difficult year stronger and more focused on her career, family, and new beginnings.
