Natalie Portman reflects on ‘cringey’ Leon role: ‘It’s complicated for me’
Actor said she was ‘devastated’ by the allegations aganst director Luc Besson
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Natalie Portman has reflected on her role in Léon, which led to her being “sexualised” as a child.
The actor made her debut in the Luc Besson film when she was 13, playing Mathilde, a young girl taken in by a hitman after the death of her family.
Portman described her views on the film, called Léon: The Professional in the US, as “complicated” in a new interview.
“It’s a movie that’s still beloved, and people come up to me about it more than almost anything I’ve ever made, and it gave me my career,” she told The Hollywood Reporter, adding: “But it is definitely, when you watch it now, it definitely has some cringey, to say the least, aspects to it. So, yes, it’s complicated for me.”
When asked how she feels about the allegations of sexual abuse levied against Besson, Portman replied: “It’s devastating.”
She added: “I really didn’t know. I was a kid working. I was a kid. But I don’t want to say anything that would invalidate anyone’s experience.”
In 2020, Portman said she built “fortresses” to protect herself from the media after being painted as a “Lolita figure”.
“Being sexualised as a child, I think, took away from my own sexuality because it made me afraid,” she said.
“It made me feel like the way I can be safe is to be like, ‘I’m conservative, and I’m serious, and you should respect me, and I’m smart and don’t look at me that way.’”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments