Portman recently wrapped up filming a movie called The Gallerist with Ortega and is keeping herself busy. She’s also got a role in Lena Dunham’s project Good Sex and a film by Guy Ritchie called Fountain of Youth that seems to have come at just the right time. “It’s so important to look for joy and humor in your work, especially when life gets tough back home,” she tells Ortega, opening up about how she feels.
“So what’s something right now that’s inspiring excitement for you? Could be work or something personal,” Ortega asks.
“Watching my kids grow and develop their unique personalities brings me joy. I also love spending time with my friends and their kids, plus mine. It’s just really fun,” Portman shares.
“Oh totally! You mentioning your kids reminds me—you and I are both child actors, and there’s such a unique bond in that. Knowing someone has been in the industry since a young age changes how you see them. Do you think being a parent helps you maintain balance? It can be really hard to keep this career from taking over your whole life,” Ortega reflects.
“I completely feel you on the bond among child actors because there are so many misconceptions about us that just aren’t true. It’s a wild journey that few understand. Becoming a parent wasn’t driven by my acting career; I just really wanted to start a family with someone I love. Having grounding people around is so crucial,” Portman says.
“Have you struggled with balance? When do you think you realized the importance of that?” Ortega asks.
“My parents kept me grounded, but I also had friends who would help me see things clearly. As an actor, everyone tends to be super kind to you, which can make it tough to spot bad vibes. I’ve got friends who remind me about those moments, saying stuff like, ‘They were super nice to you, but they overlooked me,’ which really helps navigate all the attention. Lots of folks can end up just saying yes to everything, which isn’t healthy. It’s essential to get feedback like, ‘That’s not cool to do,’ so you can be the best version of yourself,” Portman explains.
“Exactly. I find you inspiring and grounded. Being in your shoes for most of your life must be overwhelming, but you handle it with such grace. Your authenticity is really refreshing, and it lights up the set,” Ortega compliments.
“That’s really sweet of you to say, thanks!” Portman replies.
“I’m serious! Especially with someone like you at the top of the call sheet. That has such an impact on how everyone carries themselves on set,” Ortega notes.
“Right back at you! I’ve mentioned it before, but it makes me feel so hopeful knowing you’re leading the next generation. You have amazing talent, you’re genuinely a good person, and you’re both kind and smart. Whenever I hear complaints about today’s youth, I say, ‘Not at all! They’re more awesome than ever!’” Portman shares.
“[Laughs] Thanks! Now, do you think the public’s view of you is accurate, or do you think you’ve set up a buffer that keeps certain stuff private?” Ortega asks.
“I think there’s a big gap between how the public sees me and who I really am. I’ve talked about how, as a kid, I experienced some early sexualization, which can happen to many young girls in the spotlight, and it scared me. Growing up, I wanted to keep that aspect of my life to myself rather than have it thrust upon me. I built a serious persona, emphasizing my studious side, thinking that would make me less of a target, and while it shouldn’t be like that, it worked. It really highlights the difference between my playful self and how people see me as serious. I’m not super secretive; I’m actually open to sharing most things. But I learned that when I ask for privacy publicly, it tends to be respected. So, I’ve established boundaries like, ‘No photo shoots with my kids,’” Portman explains.
“That makes total sense. I’m still working out my own boundary too, especially with how much social media is always changing. It’s tough to figure out how authentic you can actually be with the industry evolving,” Ortega reflects.
“There’s a ton of media today, so to stand out, you have to shake things up. It needs to be either weird, unique, or funny, which makes for much more engaging experiences. In the past we went through interview junkets repeating the same four questions, but now it’s more like, ‘You’ll be doing a video with puppies!’ [Laughs] I really enjoy that and it still keeps much of my personal life under wraps,” Portman shares.
“Totally agree! It’s easier to dodge those questions since everything is filmed, and younger audiences protect celebrities more. It’s like, ‘Don’t talk to her like that.’ People are more careful, not just in media but in our industry too,” Ortega adds.
“Good point,” Portman acknowledges.
“We’re seeing more and more women working behind the camera. Catherine [Yan, who directed The Gallerist] said she often unintentionally referred to crew members as ‘man’ or ‘sir’ just because she’s used to being in male-dominated spaces,” Ortega mentions.
“Totally. The industry still leans male, but the conversations around it have made a real difference. I’ve always seen hair and makeup as a women-centered space—stereotypical, but true. As a kid, I felt safe surrounded by women there. As I’ve gotten older, it’s become even more important for me to collaborate with women. Usually, I’d be cast as the female lead, and there’d be other women around but we wouldn’t share scenes,” says Portman.
“Talking to actresses from earlier times is both uplifting and disheartening. Their experiences are often so different. Not everyone has that supportive network you mentioned. I feel lucky, especially given my background and our industry,” Ortega reflects.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Portman replies.
“Absolutely! Do you think characters today are more layered, or are there still too many clichés around women’s lives?” Ortega inquires.
“There are definitely ongoing themes. Throughout my career, I’ve noticed patterns I aimed to avoid. I went through a stage reminiscent of Lolita, and then spent a decade playing roles where I was the woman who helped the man tackle his emotional stuff. Now I’m seeing a lot of roles about mothers who hurt their kids, which I find tough emotionally. But yes, there are recurring themes, and those can highlight unique and special projects when they come around. Complex, beautiful, and original pieces really grab attention,” Portman explains.
“I agree. I heard you talking about guiding men through their emotional issues for a decade, and I thought, ‘No way!’ [Laughs] But what I love about acting is the excitement; it never grows old. Have you learned anything through your work that you wouldn’t have otherwise?” Ortega asks.
“I’ve had loads of experiences I wouldn’t have otherwise. I even learned beekeeping for a while! I’ve traveled to amazing places and met fascinating people, and I’ve played a rock star, an astronaut, and a ballet dancer. It lets me explore different lives. I’ve gathered great insights about relationships through diving into characters, like how stories impact identity, the role of attention in love, and the weight of choices,” Portman responds.
“For sure! But do you think you need a piece of yourself in those roles? Or do you find parts of yourself within the characters?” Ortega wonders.
“It varies for me. I actually dislike the question about connecting with characters because I tend to choose roles that are quite different from who I am. If it’s something close to my life, I’d rather just experience it. Lately, my life is busy with two kids in school and wanting to spend as much time with them as I can, so sometimes I take roles that fit well with my life at the moment but don’t carry that deep personal pull. I always try to connect with the role in some way, but that’s not always why I chose it,” Portman explains.
“That’s a great way to look at it. Many people forget this is also a job that pays the bills, so the practical side is important too,” Ortega agrees.
“Absolutely,” Portman nods.
“It can easily draw you in all sorts of directions if you don’t set clear limits,” Ortega adds.
“Totally agree,” Portman replies.
“I really learn a lot from you, especially in how you balance your life. As a kid actor, I did shows meant for kids, but the whole experience was different. I’ve been wondering—what sparked your interest in acting so young? What drew you to it?” Ortega asks.
“Do any of your siblings act?” Portman inquires.
“Not really. I’m the most expressive one in my family. Everyone’s pretty shy. My brother’s an accountant, and my sisters are nurses and a 911 dispatcher. They’ve got regular jobs,” Ortega replies.
“How did you come to that? For me it was simple. Growing up on Long Island near Manhattan, a lot of kids at my dance school were auditioning for commercials to make money for college. I asked my parents if I could try too because I had this love for performing. I kept asking until they let me meet an agent and audition,” Portman shares.
“Got it,” Ortega responds.
“And you?” Portman asks.
“I didn’t have that. When I was younger, I wanted to be a bunch of different things. Hearing you say you wished to be an astronaut, president, and more is exactly how I felt,” Ortega reflects.
“I want to see you as president,” Portman laughs.
“Can you imagine?” Ortega grins.
“Please!” Portman jokes.
“I talk about it a lot. My siblings got mad at me for changing my mind while watching SpongeBob. I was really into Obama’s inauguration, and I always felt like I’d have a moment like that someday. I was super dramatic I believed all TV was basically reality TV. Watching a movie or show, I’d think, ‘Wow, they filmed this!’’” Ortega recalls.
“That’s amazing,” Portman chuckles.
“I couldn’t believe it! Around 5 or 6, I’d walk around acting out scenes, then rush to the TV to check if I was on,” Ortega laughs. “I had no idea what filmmaking actually was. Then I saw a YouTube video and realized everything was planned out beforehand.”
“Oh my gosh,” Portman replies, amused.
“I could handle it! They might hire me,” Ortega laughs.
“That’s so funny, I love that!” Portman responds.
“Oh, and I’ve got this coffee sleeve from a café. I’ve written all my notes on it,” Ortega adds.
“[Laughs] That’s awesome!” Portman replies.
“Okay, I’m really curious—has your relationship with ambition changed over time?” Ortega asks.
“Oh for sure! I was super ambitious as a kid, and I still am, but my focus is different now. Back then, I wanted to make everyone else happy. Now I’m more into challenging myself and finding what truly brings me joy,” Portman explains.