Natalie Portman praises Rihanna after meeting her at Paris Fashion Week

“It was exactly what I needed,” the ‘Black Swan’ superstar said of meeting Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in January.

Natalie Portman’s Adoration for Rihanna

Natalie Portman, a self-proclaimed fan of Rihanna, shared her excitement and admiration for the singer during an appearance on the July 15 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Portman, 43, who finalized her divorce from her husband Benjamin Millepied, 47, in February, recounted her memorable encounter with Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in January.

A Memorable Encounter

The encounter, shared on Instagram by Bustle at the time, featured Rihanna calling Portman “one of the hottest bitches in Hollywood.”

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Reflecting on this moment with Fallon, the May December star said, “I think every woman going through a divorce should get to have Rihanna say to her that she’s a bad bitch.” Fallon’s enthusiastic applause was followed by a clip of the fashion week interaction.

Formative Moment

“It was exactly what I needed,” Portman added. Fallon commented on the significance of the moment, to which Portman replied, “It was a formative moment in my life.” In the video from the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris, Portman expressed her admiration for Rihanna, saying, “I love you,” to which Rihanna responded, “I am a f—ing fan.”

Mutual Admiration

The heartfelt exchange continued with Portman exclaiming, “I’m gonna faint. I’m gonna black out,” as they praised each other.

The Oscar winner added, “I love you and I listen to your music all the time… you’re just such a queen. Thank you.” Portman also shared a photo on Instagram of the pair hugging, captioning it, “Still not over this… 🥹 @badgalriri.”

Life Changes

Portman’s comments come after PEOPLE confirmed in March that she and Millepied had officially divorced after quietly separating eight months prior.

Portman filed for divorce in July, and it was finalized in February in France, where the couple had been living with their children, son Aleph, 13, and daughter Amalia, 7.

The warm interaction with Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week provided Portman with a much-needed boost during a challenging time in her personal life, showcasing the uplifting power of mutual admiration and support among women.