“I’d rather be smart than be a movie star.” Well, our Queen Sheva of the Week turned out to be both! Natalie Portman, a critically acclaimed actress, Harvard graduate and activist, is our Queen Sheva for making the world a better place (while giving us an endless supply of good movies!)
Born in Jerusalem, Portman moved to the US at a very young age and began acting before the age of 10. By the time she was 18, she had starred in major films like Léon: The Professional and Star Wars. Although she was climbing to fame, Portman realized that getting an education was much more important than any career path she could take, and even missed the premier of Star Wars because she had to study for her high school finals! Her hard work paid off, and Portman went on to attend Harvard University to study psychology.
Just two years after graduating from Harvard, Portman received a nomination for an Academy Award for her role in the drama Closer and also received Saturn Award for Best Actress for starring in the political thriller V for Vendetta. Perhaps she is most known for her role in the psychological horror film Black Swan, a performance that was widely praised and earned her several other awards
Evidently, Portman’s talents aren’t limited to acting, and she has also directed several films. Outside of film, however, she is a hardcore activist and humanitarian. In 2004 and 2005, she travelled to Uganda, Ecuador aaaanddd Guatemala as the ambassador of Hope for FINCA International, helping women with very little resources start their own businesses through microlending. She then gave lectures in some of the best universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and Columbia to encourage students to participate in microfinancing campaigns in Third World Countries. Portman has also a member of the One Voice movement, which seeks to create peace between Israel and Palestine and move towards a two-state solution.
Beautiful, accomplished and smart, Natalie Portman is using her talents to create impact. Although she might have played a scheming, greedy queen in the Other Boleyn Girl, Portman is actually a generous humanitarian and film star who just so happens to be our Queen Sheva of the week.
To check out Natalie’s funny side, watch the SNL short below:
