Natalie Portman Says Black Swan Training Took a Real Toll on Her Body

Natalie Portman recently opened up about just how much her body went through while making Black Swan. While speaking on The Drew Barrymore Show on January 28, the actress reflected on the intense physical strain she endured while playing a troubled ballerina in the 2010 film.

Portman explained that the role pushed her far beyond normal limits. The nonstop dance work caused a painful injury that still stands out to her years later. When Drew Barrymore asked about the worst injury she suffered during filming, Portman didn’t hesitate. I misplaced a rib or something, she said, trying to describe what happened inside her body.

She explained that being lifted over and over again during rehearsals and filming caused the rib to move out of place. It, like, went under, she added, calling the whole experience strange and uncomfortable.

The injury was just one part of a much bigger physical challenge. According to Portman and those who worked with her, the training for Black Swan was extreme. Her ballet coach, former New York City Ballet dancer Mary Helen Bower, previously explained that Portman trained like a professional dancer to make the role believable. That meant working out for about five hours a day, six days a week.

Portman’s days started early and ended late. She would begin ballet training around 5 a.m., then head straight into long filming days that often lasted twelve hours. After shooting wrapped, she still wasn’t done. She would return to the gym for strength training and even swim a mile before finally calling it a night. This routine went on for months and left little time for rest.

That level of commitment paid off professionally. Portman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, one of the biggest achievements of her career. Still, looking back, she made it clear that the role came with a serious physical cost.

Now, in early 2026, Portman is balancing demanding work with a very different phase of her career. She recently appeared at the Sundance Film Festival for the premiere of The Gallerist, a dark comedy she also produced. The film, which features a large ensemble cast including Jenna Ortega and Zach Galifianakis, follows an art dealer who becomes involved in a bizarre and dark situation.

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