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Natalie Portman Dances Around 'Black Swan' Debate

0407_portman_single "Black Swan" star Natalie Portman is not letting controversy tarnish her Oscar gold.

Last month, Portman's dance double Sarah Lane told Entertainment Weekly that Portman only performed 5% of the dancing that appeared in the film while she performed the other 95%. The ballerina also said she was told by a producer not to discuss her work lest it hurt Portman's Oscar campaign.

"Black Swan" director Darren Aronofsky, costar Mila Kunis, and choreographer/fiance Benjamin Millepied all came to Portman's defense and denied Lane's claims.

When asked by E! Online about the controversy, Portman stuttered, "Um...you know, like it's it's....um...I know what went on. We, we had an amazing experience making the movie and I don't want to tarnish it by entering into nastiness, because it's such a positive thing what we get to do."

The Oscar winner went on to say that she was proud of everyone's work on the movie, but did not call out Lane's work.

Portman appears to want to put all of the negative press behind her as she moves forward with two projects: her new comedy "The Highness" and her baby with Millepied, due this summer.

Published 04.07.11

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Comments (7)

Lady Jaelithe: 772 days ago

What is Miss Lane's problem???? Okay, so what if she danced 95% of the dance scenes. That was what she was hired to do. She was hired as a body/stunt double. Everyone with an IQ over 60 would know that Natale Portman is an actress -- not a ballet dancer!! No one said she was. Does it distract from the movie -- no! Natalie is the "Star" of the movie. She is the one showing the emotions and the feelings that drives this movie. What is Miss Lane's problem? Did she contract to have her name up there as a "star" in this movie???? No. Didn't think so. If Ms. Lane wants to be a star and have leading parts -- go join a Ballet group and work her way to the top position. Just like Natalie Portman did in her acting career -- she movied her way up thru the ranks. I think it does not exhibit your better qualities, Miss Lane, when you think that because you were a "dance stand-in", you expect to be given the same "star" status as Ms Portman and ride on her back to the top levels!! I have loved ballet since a young girl and yes, I know that it is a hard and stenuous profession. I also know your dancing was superb in the movie -- but -- the truth is, they didn't hire you to "star" in the movie, they hired you as a "dance stand in".

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Nancy: 772 days ago

To: Lady Jaelithe

You wrote beautifully and expressed my feelings exactly. Ms. Lane should feel regret for cheapening her own contribution to the film by her display of envy.

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christian: 770 days ago

I saw Black Swan twice in a row (same day, same theater) I only saw NP dancing! Her acting is what got her the OSCAR,and Sara did the stunt that's it! KAPUT!!!!!

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I know Sarah: 770 days ago

I saw Black Swan, I have danced with Sarah professionally, Sarah is a lovely, extremely talented dancer, she was the most humble of people I know. Lady Jaelithe, she IS working her way up through the ranks of ABT, so she doesn't have to "join" one, she's been at ABT for many years now and will be a principle as she is so talented. As a ballet dancer myself, I understand Sarah's position, I have been dancing professionally as a ballet dancer for the past 20 years, and trained for 15 prior to that, there is NO WAY that Natalie Portman and her handlers should say that just because she worked on the role and training for over a year means that she can dance just as well as someone like Sarah, just tell the truth, Natalie did some are movements but she is no where near an ounce of what Sarah is.

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Roger M: 770 days ago

Movies have stunt doubles and other special effects, but Natalie Portman misled people to think that she did all the dancing. You know why? The DANCING is what impressed people so much, and she was basically given so many awards based on the idea that she became an awesome ballerina. Her acting is fine in the movie, but it pales next to Annette Bening's performance in the The Kids Are All Right. The Oscar should be for acting, not dancing.

If Natalie Portman thought her acting was enough to win the Oscar, she would have at least thanked Sarah Lane during one of her numerous wins and speeches. She thanked her fiance at every turn and even thanked makeup and wardrobe. It was cruel to leave Sarah Lane out.

Most of the FULL body shots are of Sarah Lane. Dancing shots from the shoulders or waist up are probably Natalie Portman. That's how Aronofsky came up with his 139/111 figures. All the hard, impressive stuff was Sarah Lane, who I hope to hear more from!

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ASH: 770 days ago

i love natalie portman. and she is still the one that lost all the weight to do this movie. i thought thats what stunt double were? DOUBLES!!

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Superman: 762 days ago

DUMMIES, the problem is they didn't give credits to the REAL dancers and they tried to hide the fact that there were REAL dance doubles. How would you feel if somebody didn't credit your work?!?!? Yeah, that's what I thought, hypocrites!

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