Natalie Portman Doesn’t ‘Think Kids Should Work’ in Hollywood

Published: November 28, 2023

Natalie Portman Doesn’t ‘Think Kids Should Work’ in Hollywood

By Movieguide® Contributor

STAR WARS sensation Natalie Portman believes children shouldn’t work in Hollywood.

Portman grew up in the entertainment industry as a child star. On the “Variety Award Circuit” podcast, the actress opened up about why Hollywood isn’t a place for kids.

“I would not encourage young people to go into this. I don’t mean ever; I mean as children,” Portman said on the podcast, per USA TODAY.

“I feel it was almost an accident of luck that I was not harmed, also combined with very overprotective, wonderful parents,” she continued. “You don’t like it when you’re a kid, and you’re grateful for it when you’re an adult.”

Portman starred in LEON: THE PROFESSIONAL when she was just 13. The movie generated over $19.5 million at the box office.

Although the actress earned a Young Artist Award nomination for the film, she also received scrutiny over her sexual appearance.

“I was so excited at 13 when the film was released, and my work and my art would have a human response. I excitedly opened my first fan mail to read a rape fantasy that a man had written me,” Portman said of the film. “A countdown was started on my local radio show to my 18th birthday, euphemistically the date that I would be legal to sleep with. Movie reviewers talked about my budding breasts in reviews.”

Even though times have changed, she is set on letting kids be kids and keeping them out of the entertainment industry.

“I’ve heard too many bad stories to think that any children should be part of it,” Portman explained. “Having said that, I know all the conversations that we’ve been having these past few years. It’s made people more aware and careful. But ultimately, I don’t believe that kids should work. I think kids should play and go to school.”

Movieguide® previously reported on Portman:

¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

… In a 2015 interview with PEOPLE, Natalie Portman (THOR) connected an Academy Award to idolatry. “I was reading the story of Abraham to my child and talking about, like, not worshipping false idols. And [the Oscar] is literally like gold men. This is literally worshipping gold idols – if you worship it. That’s why it’s not displayed on the wall. It’s a false idol.”

Portman won the widely coveted golden statue in 2011 for BLACK SWAN. But according to the interview, Portman doesn’t even know where her Oscar is in her home.