Did Natalie Portman Really Do Ballet in Black Swan?

Ballet

Natalie Portman’s performance in Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan was nothing short of remarkable. It won her a Best Actress Oscar and earned her huge critical acclaim. But one of the most impressive aspects of her performance was her ballet dancing—but did she really dance in the movie?

The answer is an emphatic yes.

Natalie Portman trained for months with professional ballet dancers to prepare for her role as Nina Sayers, a ballerina who is driven to perfection by her demanding director. She worked with Benjamin Millepied, the film’s choreographer, who also happened to be Portman’s future husband. In addition to rehearsing with Millepied, she trained for four hours a day, six days a week with former New York City Ballet dancer Mary Helen Bowers.

Portman’s Transformation

Portman underwent an amazing transformation in order to portray a professional ballet dancer on screen. She lost twenty pounds and gained incredible muscle tone and flexibility. Her hard work paid off; many critics commented on how natural Portman looked while performing complex moves during the climactic ballet scene.

The Final Product

Although some of the more difficult scenes were performed by professional dancers, it is clear that Natalie Portman did indeed do much of the dancing herself in Black Swan. The combination of her hard work and dedication to the role resulted in an unforgettable performance that will be remembered for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Natalie Portman did indeed do ballet in Black Swan. She underwent an intense training regimen that enabled her to perform some of the more difficult moves alongside professional dancers. Her commitment and dedication to the role resulted in an unforgettable performance that won her an Oscar for Best Actress.