Mila Kunis recently shared some behind-the-scenes details about her transformation for the role of a ballerina in Black Swan.
In celebration of the film’s 15th anniversary, Kunis joined Natalie Portman and director Darren Aronofsky for a candid chat with Vogue. They discussed their experiences during filming and what it took to prepare for such a demanding project.
Kunis candidly admitted, “My prep involved a lot of dancing and very little eating — which I know isn’t something we’re supposed to admit, but that’s the truth. I relied heavily on broth and danced around 12 hours a day.”
She also explained the unexpected extension of their preparation time. “Originally, we had three months before filming, but thanks to some funding issues, it stretched out to six months while Darren hunted for financing. It was tough for Darren, but Nat and I loved having those extra months to dance.”
Kunis went on to recount the physical toll of filming ballet scenes, revealing that she injured herself in the process: “We spent hours shooting those dance scenes, and I ended up with bruises on my ribs from being lifted so many times,” she shared.
In the plot of Black Swan, Portman portrays Nina, a ballerina vying for the lead in a production of Swan Lake, only to face fierce competition from Kunis’s character, Lily.
While reminiscing about the casting process, Portman revealed to Vogue how Kunis came to be involved in the film.
“We were at the Rose Bowl Flea Market, chatting about my ballet movie with Darren, when Mila casually mentioned her ballet days. I thought, ‘Wait, you danced ballet?’ She is such an incredible actress and perfect for Lily!” Portman recollected.
Kunis humorously pointed out that Portman might have exaggerated her experience in ballet.
“I think I mentioned that I had danced once, and suddenly that got turned into me being some ballet expert!” Kunis joked while Portman chimed in, “I may have stretched the truth a bit for you!”
Reflecting on the film nearly 15 years later, Kunis noted that her understanding of its darker themes evolved significantly after they wrapped.
“While we were shooting, I didn’t fully grasp the tone of the film, so experiencing it for the first time was quite shocking—but in a great way! I was genuinely amazed by the seriousness of Darren’s vision and its monumental success,” she expressed.
