Natalie Portman Reveals Painful Rib Injury While Filming Black Swan, Says Ballet Training Took a Heavy Toll

Apple TV+’s Fountain of Youth star Natalie Portman is opening up about the intense physical pain she went through while filming the 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan—and the injury was far more serious than fans may have known.

As per Entertainment Weekly, while appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, the Academy Award–winning actress revealed that she suffered a strange and painful injury during the demanding shoot. In an interview shared during the episode, Portman explained that the injury happened because of the constant physical strain required to play a professional ballerina on screen.

Speaking on the show, she said she “misplaced a rib” during filming, adding that it happened from being lifted repeatedly during ballet scenes. She described the experience as “really wild,” highlighting how extreme the physical demands were.

The movie Black Swan was directed by Darren Aronofsky and featured Natalie Portman in the role of Nina Sayers, a ballerina slowly losing her grip on reality. The film also starred Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, Barbara Hershey, and Vincent Cassel. Much of the movie required Natalie Portman to dance on camera with precision, intensity, and emotional depth.

In an official behind-the-scenes featurette, Aronofsky spoke about how challenging the role was for Portman, noting that she had to act and move perfectly for the camera at the same time. The director called it a “really hard job,” especially because ballet demands complete physical control.

Former New York City Ballet dancer Mary Helen Bower, who trained Portman for the role, also spoke about the actress’s dedication. During a conversation included in the film’s production materials, Bower explained that if someone wants to play a ballerina, they must train like one. She revealed that their sessions lasted five hours a day, six days a week, often starting early in the morning and ending late at night. The training continued for months before filming even began.

Despite the injuries and exhaustion, Natalie Portman’s performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making Black Swan one of the most talked-about films of her career.

The Drew Barrymore Show airs on weekdays, and local listings vary.