Natalie Portman is coming out on the other side of her divorce with a new outlook on life according to sources close to the star – after being linked to British hunk Paul Mescal.
The Black Swan actress, 42, finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied, 46, in March after 11 years of marriage and two children.
‘Natalie is her confident self [again],’ a source told Us Weekly, adding that Portman seems to have a ‘lighter step’ and ‘more joy’ in her eyes since her single status was reinstated.
The Beautiful Girls star – who shares son Aelph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven with her ex – is now prioritizing her own needs.
‘It took her a while to get her smile back after the divorce, but she has turned a corner,’ the source said.
Natalie Portman is coming out on the other side of her divorce with a new outlook on life and a younger man on her arm
On May 28, the May December actress was spotted with actor Paul Mescal, 28, outside of a bar in London
On May 28, the May December actress was spotted with actor Paul Mescal, 28, outside of a bar in London.
‘She’s really coming into her own self-happiness,’ the insider told the outlet, emphasizing that despite spending time with Mescal, Portman isn’t currently dating.
The Star Wars: The Force Awakens actress is ‘focused on her kids and work for now,’ and has ‘started going out with friends and living her best life.’
Portman and Millepied’s marriage ended after 11 years when rumors surfaced that he’d had an affair with climate activist Camille Étienne, 25.
After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a ‘short-lived’ fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was ‘over.’
Natalie and Paul met last year when they interviewed each other for Variety and looked to be in high spirits when they were spotted outside of a bar in Islington last week.
During the chat, Paul described Natalie as ‘brilliant’ and admitted: ‘If my drama school self knew that I would be talking to you, I would pinch myself many, many times!’
He also complimented her performance in May December, in which she shares a steamy sex scene with younger co-star Charles Melton, 33.
The Black Swan actress, 42, finalized her divorce from Benjamin Millepied in March after 11 years of marriage and two children
Portman and Millepied’s marriage ended after 11 years when rumors surfaced that he’d had an affair with climate activist Camille Étienne, 25
After the claims of his infidelity went public, a source told People Benjamin had a ‘short-lived’ fling with Camille, but that the dalliance was ‘over’
‘She’s really coming into her own self-happiness,’ the insider told the outlet, emphasizing that despite spending time with Mescal, Portman isn’t currently dating
The closest she came to addressing her divorce in public was in Vanity Fair this February.
She was asked how it felt to have her marriage written about and she replied: ‘It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.’
A friend revealed the collapse of Natalie’s marriage was ‘was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it.’
The source noted: ‘Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children. She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.’