5 Times Natalie Portman Dressed For Revenge

Fans of Natalie Portman were shocked when rumors began circulating in 2023 that her husband of 12 years, Benjamin Millepied, had stepped out on the "Black Swan" star. Aside from being stunningly gorgeous, Portman is an Oscar-winner known as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, as well as being a smart cookie (she earned a B.A. in psychology from Harvard) and a fervent advocate for women's rights. Oh, and we're fans of her book club (one of those celeb book clubs that you might not have even heard of!) just to add one more cherry on top.

Though reports claimed Portman explored options to move forward with Millepied, it wasn't one of those times when the marriage could be fixed after the spouse had an affair. While Portman has said very little about the divorce, the split doesn't appear to have slowed her down work-wise or style-wise. In fact, Portman has been wearing some of her most dynamic outfits since, that definitely hint at more than a little strategic revenge dressing. Yes, these looks ooze confidence and have us all feeling badly for Millepied, not her.

Natalie Portman met future husband Benjamin Millepied on the set of "Black Swan" in 2009. He's a professional ballet dancer and was in charge of training Portman for the role. We can't help but notice a striking ballerina vibe in the dress she wore for the "May December" premiere in November 2023, just four months after she filed for divorce. Perhaps a subtle nod to the role and a hint to him that she was doing just fine without him?

The following month, at a "May December" photocall, Natalie Portman dressed for revenge yet again, wearing the ultimate power suit featuring a blazer with nothing underneath. If you're wondering what exactly revenge dressing is, it's looking powerful, confident, and successful. This look also showed that it doesn't necessarily need to be a dress; a pantsuit can also make a sexy impact. The sleek hair, dark nails, and minimal jewelry all added to the "don't mess with me" vibe.

Many of Natalie Portman's fashion choices are done with intention. For example, the ring she wore to the 2024 Governors Awards is from sustainable jewelry brand Kirsten Drew, which aligns with her ethics (she's a vegan and sustainability advocate). Was there a message in her Schiaparelli dress with its bold cutout as well? Something like, "Eat your heart out, Millepied," for example? The look was a definite departure from the conservative red-carpet looks she often wore when married to Millepied.

Nothing says revenge dressing like showing off your impeccable sense of style, gorgeousness, and success on your French ex-husband's home turf (Benjamin Millepied was born in Bordeaux). And this is exactly what Natalie Portman did when she appeared at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 (and was not one of the worst-dressed celebs there) in a sculpted Dior dress. Portman has been an ambassador for the French label since 2011 and looked very comfortable in the role.

Oh, the power of red. This fiery, bold, confident, dynamic shade should be one of the top color choices when perfecting revenge dressing. As Natalie Portman showed in May 2025, a timeless little red dress can work wonders. As does a smile. The star, who was promoting the films "Arco" and "Fountain of Youth" at "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," looked happy and the dress looked effortless, which may just be the best recipe ever for a revenge look.