How Rihanna helped Natalie Portman deal with her divorce from Benjamin Millepied
Rihanna can “Take a Bow” for the part she played in Natalie Portman’s divorce from Benjamin Millepied.
The “Black Swan” star described her “formative” moment meeting the singer during a “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” interview on Monday.
When the duo crossed paths at Paris Fashion Week in January, Rihanna, 36, called Portman, 43, “one of the hottest bitches in Hollywood forever.”
The actress gushed, “I think every woman going through a divorce should get to have Rihanna say to her that she’s a bad bitch.”
Portman explained that the empowering statement from the Grammy winner was “exactly what [she] needed” while splitting from her husband of more than a decade.
Jimmy Fallon celebrated the moment by giving Portman a standing ovation, saying, “That’s a big deal.”
Reports surfaced in August that Millepied, 47, and the Oscar winner had separated over the dancer’s alleged affair with 26-year-old climate activist Camille Ètienne.
As headlines continued to swirl months later, footage of Rihanna and Portman fangirling over each other went viral on social media.
The “May December” star, who said she might “black out” and “faint” after Rihanna complimented her, gushed, “I love you and I listen to your music all the time. You’re just such a queen. Thank you.”
At the time, Portman had yet to confirm her breakup despite repeatedly stepping out without her wedding ring.
The Broadway star did, however, tell Vanity Fair in February that she did not wish to “contribute” to “terrible” rumors about her relationship.
The following month, Portman’s rep confirmed that she filed to end her marriage in July 2023, with the exes quietly finalizing their divorce in February.
Portman and Millepied tied the knot in August 2012 and welcomed two children during their time together — son Aleph, 13, and daughter Amalia, 7.
While the Golden Globe winner reportedly had a “really tough” time with the split, she praised her friends for their support in a June Instagram post.
“This year, on my birthday, I want to celebrate my gratitude for my friends who lift me up again and again,” Portman captioned a slideshow of smiling snaps with her loved ones last month.
