Natalie Portman
Starting a career at an early age can be rewarding, but as time goes by, it can also be damaging, so Hollywood star Natalie Portman offered advice for aspiring youngsters eyeing a career in the entertainment industry.
In a recent episode of Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, the award-winning actress affirmed that her experience as a child actor in Hollywood is rooted in having protective parents. Still, it’s not always true for most children who want to ride to stardom.
“I would not encourage young people to go into this. I don’t mean ever; I mean as children. I feel it was almost an accident of luck that I was not harmed, combined with very overprotective, wonderful parents,” argued Portman.
The Black Swan star further explained that there are many disturbing stories involving children, and she is glad it is getting more exposed so people could be more cautious and learn that kids should not work.
“I’ve heard too many bad stories to think that any children should be part of them. I know all the conversations that we’ve been having these past few years. It’s made people more aware and careful. But ultimately, I don’t believe that kids should work. I think kids should play and go to school,” emphasized Portman.
US-Israeli actress Natalie Portman waves as she arrives for the screening of the film “May December” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 20, 2023. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)
Experience on Leon: The Professional
Portman, who shares two children, 12-year-old son Aleph and 6-year-old daughter Amalia, with estranged husband Benjamin Millepied, first starred in Leon: The Professional when she was just 13, making her the center of some unwarranted, awful men fantasies.
“I was so excited at 13 when the film was released, and my work and my art would have a human response. I excitedly opened my first fan mail to read a rape fantasy that a man had written me,” the actress opened up.
“A countdown was started on my local radio show to my 18th birthday, euphemistically the date that I would be legal to sleep with. Movie reviewers talked about my budding breasts in reviews,” added Portman.
Portman currently stars with Julianne Moore in a romance-drama “May December.”