Natalie Portman Says Rihanna’s Praises Were Exactly What She Needed Amidst Her Divorce

If you’re having a bad week, hearing Rihanna sing your praises would certainly be a mood booster.

Back in January, both Rihanna and Natalie Portman were among the starry attendees who sat front row at the Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer ’24 show in Paris, and a viral moment captured behind the scenes saw Rihanna telling Portman how much she loved her.

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At the time, Portman was quietly going through a divorce from husband Benjamin Millepied, and in a new interview with Jimmy Fallon, the May December actor revealed how much the moment meant to her.

“It was an amazing experience for me,” she said. “I think every woman going through a divorce should get to have Rihanna say to her that she’s a bad bitch...It was a formative moment in my life.”

During their interaction, which can be seen here, RiRi is seen fangirling over Portman. “I am a fucking fan,” she says to the Oscar winner. “You are one of the hottest bitches in Hollywood, forever.”

As Portman sends the love right back, Rihanna goes: “Can somebody take a picture so I can remember this tomorrow?” And to really add to the love, the singer adds, “Yo, I don’t get excited about anybody. But like, I fuckin’ love you.”

Portman talked about the same moment on Today with Hoda and Jenna, saying: “It was really exactly what I needed at that moment in my life, and she served it to me, and I am forever grateful. I love her.”

Portman and Millepied first met on the set of Black Swan in 2009, where Millepied was hired as a choreographer. They welcomed two kids—son Aleph, 13, and daughter Amalia, 7—and married in 2012. In July 2023, Portman filed for divorce, and the divorce was finalized in February of this year.

Joel Calfee

Editorial and Social Media Assistant

Joel is the editorial and social media assistant for HarpersBAZAAR.com, where he covers all things celebrity news. When he steps away from the keyboard, you can likely find him singing off-key at concerts, scavenging thrift stores for loud wardrobe staples, or perusing bookstores for the next great gay romance novel.