Natalie Portman Describes How Rihanna’s Compliment Helped Her Get Through a Tough Divorce

Natalie Portman shared a delightful encounter with her long-time idol, Rihanna, during Paris Fashion Week back in January. The actress recently appeared on The Tonight Show on Monday night (July 15) to recount her first meeting with the music icon, which she described as an “amazing experience.”

Portman expressed how Rihanna’s compliment, where she called her a “bad b-ch,” was exactly what she needed during her divorce from Benjamin Millepied, her husband of 11 years. The interaction took place after they sat front-row at the Dior Haute Couture show earlier this year, which was caught on camera.

During the show, a clip was played showing Rihanna embracing Portman warmly on the street outside the event, professing her love for the actress and praising her as one of the hottest figures in Hollywood, leaving Portman in disbelief and exclaiming, “Excuse me, I’m gonna faint!”

Rihanna not only showered Portman with compliments but also expressed her genuine love and admiration, stating, “Yo, I don’t get excited about anybody, but I f-cking love you.” Portman was visibly moved by rewatching the touching moment, calling it “formative” for her.

Apart from this heartwarming encounter, Portman, who resides in Paris, shared some essential tips with Fallon on blending in while visiting France to avoid looking like a typical tourist. Her advice included avoiding shorts, flip-flops, and red berets, ensuring a more seamless and local travel experience.

Watch the video of Portman discussing her meeting with Rihanna below.