Natalie Portman has transformed herself for many film roles, but nothing was as grueling as her Black Swan makeover.
The actress shed an astonishing 20lbs from her already slight frame to play a ballerina in the 2011 film and admitted it put such a toll on her body that she thought she was going to die.
At the time, Natalie revealed that she was eating little more than carrots and almonds but that she was being put through her paces spending eight hours per day rehearsing.
“There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die,” she told Entertainment Weekly.
“It was the first time I understood how you could get so wrapped up in a role that it could sort of take you down.”
Natalie took on the part with gusto and learned challenging dancing choreography which left her injured too.
© Photo: RexNatalie lost an extreme amount of weight for her role in Black Swan
“All dancers are always dancing with an extreme injury,” said the star who dislocated a rib. “Not just a sore muscle, they’re dancing on a sprained ankle or with a twisted neck or something.
“You’ll see them do incredible stuff and then limp off stage, straight to a bucket of ice. Part of the art is hiding all the pain.”
Natalie – who is now married to Black Swan choreographer, Benjamin Millepied – has startled fans once more with her appearance in her latest film.
© Photo: Getty ImagesNatalie is now married to the Black Swan choreographer, Benjamin Millepied
She’s added some serious muscle for Thor: Love and Thunder. Natalie underwent some grueling gym sessions with her personal trainer, Naomi Pendergast, who helped turn Natalie into her superhero alter-ego, The Mighty Thor.
Speaking to US Weekly, Naomi – who is the director of RPX Fitness – revealed that Natalie began training for the role four months before filming started and worked out five days a week for 90 minutes to two hours for ten months.
Now that’s dedication for you!
