nattie the baddie

Natalie Portman's Divorce Must-Have: Rihanna

The actor shared the role the “Umbrella” singer has helped her navigate the end of her marriage.
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Often, when very famous women go through very public divorces, a freeze-frame moment or object makes its way front-and-center to become a sort of pop culture shorthand, a totem representing our heroine emerging triumphant from the split. Nicole Kidman had her parking lot fist pump moment. Princess Diana had the revenge dress. Sophie Turner had all those dinners with Taylor Swift. And now, Natalie Portman has the concrete knowledge that Rihanna thinks she’s a bad bitch.

Portman, who finalized her divorce from husband Benjamin Millepied in February after 11 years of marriage, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Monday and discussed how a chance interaction with the “Diamonds” singer in January helped her during a tough time.

“I think every woman going through a divorce should get to have Rihanna say to her that she's a bad bitch,” Portman said.

She and Rihanna were filmed fangirling over one another and hugging outside a Paris Fashion Week show, an interaction that Portman told host Jimmy Fallon is “a formative moment in my life.”

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“I love you,” Portman tells Rihanna in the clip as the two squeal and hug.

“I’m a fucking fan,” Rihanna responds. “You are one of the hottest bitches in Hollywood.”

“Excuse me? I’m gonna faint,” an overwhelmed Portman replies, hand to heart. “I’m gonna black out. I love you and I listen to your music all the time, you’re such a queen, thank you!”

Rihanna then asks for a picture of the two. When Rihanna wants a picture, you take a picture, and if you’re Natalie Portman, you share it on Instagram with the caption “Still not over this.” Which, fair.

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Discussing the interaction with Fallon, Portman revealed, “It was exactly what I needed.”