Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman are two of Hollywood's most renowned actresses. Their successful careers have brought them numerous accolades and a legion of devoted fans. Both actresses have starred in many movies and TV shows over the years, but the film that truly put them on the map was the critically acclaimed psychological thriller Black Swan.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan tells the story of Nina (played by Portman), a ballerina who is cast as the lead in Swan Lake. Nina's quest for perfection and her battle with her inner demons take a dark turn as she spirals into madness. Kunis plays Lily, a fellow ballerina who becomes Nina's rival and confidante.
The film was a critical and commercial success, earning rave reviews and several award nominations, including a Best Actress Oscar win for Portman. Kunis was also praised for her performance and received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Given their central roles in the film, it's natural to wonder if Kunis and Portman ever met or formed a bond during the production of Black Swan. In this article, we'll take a closer look at their relationship and explore whether they ever crossed paths.
The Beginning
To understand the relationship between Kunis and Portman, it's important to look back at how they both landed their roles in Black Swan.
Kunis had already established herself as a successful actress thanks to her role as Jackie Burkhart in the TV series That '70s Show. She had also appeared in several films, including Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Max Payne, before being cast as Lily in Black Swan.
In an interview with Collider, Kunis revealed that she had auditioned for the role several times before finally getting the part. "I went in for the first audition, and then I had a call back, and then I had a meeting with Darren [Aronofsky]," she said. "Then I had a meeting with the producers, and then I had a meeting with the producers and the studio. So it was a process."
Meanwhile, Portman was already an established star, having appeared in films like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Garden State, and V for Vendetta. However, Black Swan was a departure from her usual roles and required her to undergo intense physical training to portray a ballerina.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Portman said she spent six to eight hours a day for six months preparing for the role. "I had never danced ballet before, so it was a completely new skill set," she said. "It was really intense."
The two actresses didn't meet until after they were cast in the film. In fact, Kunis revealed in an interview with Nylon that she didn't even know who her co-star was until she saw her on set.
"I was like, 'Oh, s***. I'm about to work with the person who's about to win the Oscar,'" Kunis said. "I freaked out for a second. But then you just have to put it out of your mind and be like, 'OK, we're just two girls trying to tell a story.'"
The Filming Process
Once filming began, Kunis and Portman spent a lot of time together on set. Their characters had a complicated relationship that involved both friendship and rivalry, which required them to have a strong rapport with each other.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kunis said that she and Portman spent a lot of time rehearsing their dance scenes together. "We would come in on our days off and dance together for hours," she said. "It was a bonding experience."
Portman echoed Kunis's sentiments in an interview with Collider, saying that the two actresses worked closely together to create their onscreen dynamic. "We definitely had to have a bond that was both intimate and competitive," she said. "We had to be able to go to that place with each other, and Mila was such a great partner in that."
Despite their close collaboration on set, Kunis and Portman have been open about the fact that they didn't become close friends during the making of Black Swan. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Portman said that while she enjoyed working with Kunis, they didn't have a lot in common off set. "We talked about our families and life, but we didn't hang out together," she said.
Kunis has also spoken about their relationship in several interviews, saying that while they didn't become best friends, they respected each other's work and were able to collaborate effectively. "We worked really well together, but we didn't necessarily socialize outside of work," she said in an interview with E! News.
Life After Black Swan
After Black Swan, both Kunis and Portman continued to enjoy successful careers in Hollywood. Kunis starred in films like Ted, Friends with Benefits, and Bad Moms, while Portman appeared in movies like Thor, Annihilation, and Jackie.
Despite their busy schedules, the two actresses have occasionally crossed paths over the years. In 2018, Kunis appeared as a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she revealed that she had recently run into Portman at a party. "We hadn't seen each other in a really long time, and it was really cool to catch up," she said.
Portman also spoke about Kunis during an interview with Harper's Bazaar, saying that she admired her co-star's work ethic and talent. "I think she's a fantastic actress," Portman said. "She's incredibly charismatic and has a great sense of humor."
Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman did meet and work closely together during the making of Black Swan. While they didn't become close friends off set, they had a strong working relationship that helped them bring their characters to life onscreen.
Both actresses have continued to have successful careers in Hollywood, and while they may not socialize outside of work, they have expressed respect and admiration for each other's talent and work ethic. Overall, their collaboration on Black Swan will always be remembered as one of the most memorable performances in recent movie history.
