Natalie Portman is opening up about child actors in the industry.
The 42-year-old Black Swan star started her journey in Hollywood when she was just 13 years old. She made her feature film debut in Leon: The Professional back in 1994. Throughout the next few years, she appeared in films such as Heat, Beautiful Gurls, and Mars Attacks! She was only 18 when Star Wards: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace hit theaters in 1999.
Natalie went on to establish herself as one of the most respected actresses in the industry, with a solid career on the big screen.
Now, she is sharing her thoughts on the current state of Hollywood, including the role of child actors.
While promoting her new movie May December, she said in a conversation with Variety:
“I would not encourage young people to go into this. I don’t mean ever; I mean as children.”
She had more to say about her stance on kids working in Hollywood, particularly her own experience as a child actor:
I feel it was almost an accident of luck that I was not harmed, also combined with very overprotective, wonderful parents. You don’t like it when you’re a kid, and you’re grateful for it when you’re an adult. I’ve heard too many bad stories to think that any children should be part of it.’
Natalie then acknowledged that progress has been made since her own early days in the industry, while still affirming her opinion that kids’ best interests lie elsewhere. She said:
“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.”
