Natalie Portman is concerned about women’s ‘physical safety’ in the workplace.
The 42-year-old actress signed the now famous letter to The New York Times calling for an end to sexual misconduct in the workplace, joining other A-Listers such as Reese Witherspoon and Eva Longoria.
Seven years after the start of the #MeToo movement, she’s not sure much has changed, even if the ‘conversation’ has started.
Natalie – whose divorce from Benjamin Millepied is final – told Marie Claire Australia: ‘I wish I could say it was only (about) the danger to women and the ability of women to be in the workplace without having to worry about their physical safety.
“Unfortunately, it is not, but at least the conversation has started, and attention has started in a way that has hopefully improved conditions. But it is far from over; it’s still an ongoing battle,’ she told the magazine.
Natalie Portman, 42, revealed she is concerned about women’s ‘physical safety’ in the workplace; pictured in 2019
Seven years after the start of the #MeToo movement, she’s not sure much has changed, although the ‘conversation’ has started, pictured in 2023
But the Black Swan star – who is one of the owners of the Angel FC women’s team in Los Angeles along with other famous women such as America Ferrera and Jessica Chastain – is hopeful for women in the film industry in general after the success of Greta Gerwig’s summer comedy Barbie, which grossed nearly $1.5 billion at the box office.
She said: ‘There has been progress, especially (with) people talking about it.
“But I think there is still so far to go. I was so excited about Barbie’s extraordinary success. I think it really opens the door for so many people because unfortunately the proof is always financial success.
‘(The ‘Barbie’ movie) proved that (a female director and cast) can be very, very successful. I think it will help many more people get their films made.’
Natalie and her now ex-husband Benjamin have finalized their divorce and are committed to healthy parenting of their two children, son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven.
“Her biggest priority has been to ensure a smooth transition for her children,” one of her told People.
‘She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.’
The friend also revealed that it was initially ‘really hard’ for Portman in the early days of her split, but her supportive friends ‘help her get through the worst of it.’
The friend explained that the actress is now ‘on the other side’ of a difficult year and ‘stronger’. She has now ‘found joy in her family, friends and work.’
“I wish I could say it was just (about) the danger to women and the ability of women to be in the workplace without having to worry about their physical safety,” she told Marie Claire Australia; pictured in 2024
‘Unfortunately it is not, but at least the conversation has started and the awareness has started in a way that has hopefully improved conditions’
“But it is far from over; it’s still an ongoing battle,’ she told the magazine
The actress signed the now-famous letter to The New York Times calling for an end to sexual misconduct in the workplace, joining other A-Listers like Reese Witherspoon and Eva Longoria; pictured here in 2023
Her divorce from Benjamin Millepied after 11 years of marriage has been finalized after he was accused of cheating on her; the couple seen in 2015
Portman quietly filed to end the union in July, and the divorce was finalized in France, a rep for the actress confirmed to People. The family lives in France.
The split came after it was alleged that Millepied had cheated on Portman with a woman 21 years his junior.
Last year French outlet Voici published an explosive report alleging that Millepied had an affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Étienne.
People magazine reported at the time that the romance with Camille was ‘short-lived’ – and that Benjamin ‘did everything he could’ to get ‘Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.’