In Touch Weekly has an interesting little story about Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied this week. It’s actually something that I’ve been wondering about, ever since I read Benjamin’s New York Times profile – in the profile, he not only seemed like he was an unprofessional, famewhoring douche, but he also sounded really, really busy. The Ballet K-Fed is striking while the iron is hot, as they say, and it’s looking more and more like he’s not around for his baby-mama. ITW’s piece is called “Natalie Portman’s Love Trouble: Is her fiancé suddenly too busy for her?” You know it’s going to be good!
Natalie Portman is at one of the highest points of her life. The mom-to-be is the odds-on favorite to win a best actress statuette at this year’s Oscars, and she’s engaged to be married. But behind-the-scenes, an insider says she still has relationship gripes with her fiancé, Benjamin Millepied.
“The pregnancy has not been very easy, partly because Benjamin is too busy with his career,” says the insider. “She wants him to be around more, but he’s working nonstop, while her workload has slowed down. He is choreographing multiple ballets right now, and is scheduled for up to three years of work.”
Benjamin has also missed some family engagements and important doctor sppointments that Natalie wanted him to show up to.
“Ben’s career is at its prime,” the insider adds. “But she’s scared he’s not excited about being a dad.”
[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]
Years ago, I remember reading some study that was done on soon-to-be baby-daddies and how their partners’ pregnancies affected the caveman part of their brain. The study claimed that while we think a baby-daddy would be super-protective of his partner during the pregnancy, biologically, men are hard-wired to spend more time working and “providing” when their partners are expecting because the caveman brain thinks that, you know, the meat needs to be stockpiled and there‘s extra hunting to be done. I don’t know if that’s really the case, or if the study was full of crap, but it’s an interesting take on what’s happening here. Personally, I’ve been slightly surprised that Benjamin hasn’t been Natalie’s “date” for every Oscar occasion – he was with her at the Globes, but I don’t think he came to the SAGs, or anywhere else. It could be that he’s just super-busy with his own thing, and that he cares about being a father and he’s just going all caveman. Or it could totally be that Benjamin doesn’t really give a crap and that Natalie chose the wrong K-Fed to knock her up.
Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.
sperm donor
I don’t see thousand feet as being a caveman. Maybe he lost Natalie under all those thick wool layers…lol!
On one hand – Natalie, pregnant, cravings, whinny, annoying, not that good in bed, takes up all the room in the closet
On the other – work, money, piece of mind, beers, freedom, chicks
Hmmm…. Tough choice for this guy but the second option it is, however, he would make an excellent candidate if Halle wants another baby daddy (no strings attached).
Maybe that’s the reason for the bitchface. Maybe she knows she made a mess for herself and is scared out of her mind.
It doesn’t snow where I live, so I’m uninformed. But how cold is too cold to a little dog’s paws? It aint a wild wolf.
I think there’s a lot to be said for the caveman thing but “caveman brain” is a contradiction in terms…as probably is “Natalie brain”. After all, someone with a name like Millipede-Spandex-Fedex is bound to be fast and loose.
Well, that didn’t last long.
“super-protective of his partner during the pregnancy, biologically, men are hard-wired to spend more time working and “providing” when their partners are expecting because the caveman brain thinks that, you know, the meat needs to be stockpiled and there‘s extra hunting to be done.”
It’s probably a bullshit theory. Anthropologists are finding more evidence that the “caveman” worked as a community and not a husband/wife, male provider model. That means the male caveman might not even know which offspring were his. All members of the community provided for all other members. Paternity was not an issue until the “invention” of agriculture.
you could see it on his face at the SAGs.
totally bored when he thought no one was looking…
this ones not going to last for long…
What a drag for Natalie but you can’t force a man to be what you want, child or not, it doesn’t work. Oooops.
One clear case where clean shaven does not work in his advantage.
Maybe this is the moment when bitchface realizes that she’s just hitched her foreseeable future to a loser. More women, (and men) need to REALLY think about who they have a child with! You are stuck with them for the next 18 years and on.
On Blindgossip.com there was an item that everyone guessed it was them. If I remember correctly, it was about a current Oscar nominated actress who is
only with this guy for the award season…
Yeah according to the Times he’s using his new found fame to continue to do what he has done in the Ballet world. Get more dough to produce so-so shows. Nat has already served her purpose.
@ Karin: very true
I’m not a big fan of Natalie’s but I really hope this dude steps up. On the bright side, it’s not like Natalie needs a man to provide for her financially. So if this guy turns out to be K Fed’s long lost brother than at least she knows she can support herself and her child.
Shouldn’t we be happy he’s working at his own craft, something he’s very good at, instead of letting natalie pay for everything? Doesn’t that make him the opposite of K-Fed?
Shocker.
he finally saw “no strings attached”
Who knows what the real deal is. But based on this story, I repect him more for sticking with his own career and not becoming a girly-man, boy-child, sniveling, pussy-whipped, celebrity obsessed, suck up artist.
In real life, fathers can’t attend every doctor’s appointment. They have jobs to keep.
Another thought: Maybe Natalie should have waited to see if Benjamin offered to marry her before she got preggers. Maybe he’s not totally committed to her or fatherhood. Maybe this Harvard girl didn’t do her homework.
I suspect the whole “engaged” nonsense is just for show, and that soon after Natalie has an Oscar on her mantle and the baby is born, we’ll hear that they’ve amicably separated. And quite frankly, I’ll respect her for it. I just don’t believe she is dumb enough to fall for his fame-whoring garbage. They’re using each other at this point.
@Marjalane, you’re stuck with the mother/father of your child for the rest of your life. It’s a lifetime contract!!!!
Hmmm. Actually, I respect him for keeping busy with his career. If he dropped everything to hold her hand, he would be in serious danger of losing what he has worked for all his life and simply becoming a ‘kept’ husband (read Eddie Cibrian). And everyone would be griping at him then too.
I predict he is a sperm donor. I like the fact that he is working and not attending award shows though. That baby will have the biggest smug face ever with those two as parents.
@Karin
“That means the male caveman might not even know which offspring were his”
The first episode of “Teen Mom”.
i guess whatever this Benjamin guy does he is never gonna please you , if he leaves his work and goes everywhere with Natalie he is a famewhore , if he goes to work and is nowhere to be seen around natalie he “doesnt really give a crap” , whatever he does he cant win with you
I think she ditches him post-Oscars. But what they are saying could be true…My husband is figuratively in the meat-killing mode. He has been working long hours, pushing for higher sales, and banking like crazy to ensure BabyTarheel has whatever he needs/wants.
Or he could be avoiding me and my “push present” issues. Either way.
The OSCAR CURSE will get Natalie, that NY Times article really made him sound like a douche
@TQB Good point.
He reminds me of a little B!tch.
I call bullshit.
I’m guessing Natalie isnt exactly swimming in downtime right now. Its awards season for christ’s sake. She probably doesn’t have any time to spend with him even if she wanted to.
I’m feeling generous today.. I’n sure they are aware of the unfavourable label he’s been slapped with and his working round the clock is a way of showing that he’s not a freeloading K-Fed? Maybe he really is trying to be successful in his own right so that he can trash the idea that he had to marry Portman for security?
I think he’s decent at what he does – it’s a tough career to choose and it’s hard to make a killing in ballet without a little schmoozing.
I may live to regret this later, but I feel mildly bad for this dude….but then I think of his previous girlfriend… ok I’m just confused. Passing judgement is such hard work!
Given the BG item and the constant rumors, has anyone considered Natalie might be spinning this into a “Sandra Bullock” situation? First the Best Actress Oscar, then the scandal of a single mother, cheated on/left by her boyfriend skyrocketing her into the “America’s Sweetheart” category?
He is not being a smart golddigger then!!!
I don’t know if he is a fame whore or garbage, but he’ll never be around. He is at his prime, and he’d better hustle now or there will be someone else to take his place….
Besides, he looks awful without facial hair!
I really don’t see him as the “ballet KFed”
this guy has tallent for christ’s sake!
@Quest, ” not that good in bed.”
Not that this applies to every pregnant woman, but many of us have an increased sex drive while pregnant. There’s also a number of factors that can make sex even more enjoyable while pregnant (but they may fall into the TMI category).
Of course I don’t actually know this guy at all, but if I were to make an assumption based on what I’ve seen and heard (Duh! That’s what these gossip sites are for!!) – I DON’T LIKE HIM. Also, unplanned pregnancies happen all the time. I have a feeling that Natalie wants to be a mother (ie., decided to keep the baby) and is willing to see how the relationship with Millipied works out, but isn’t currently “married” to the idea of their engagement actually culminating in marriage. She probably appreciates his proposing to her as a sign of respect. (Projecting much? Maybe a little.)
I can’t stand his hair.
@Katscorpe:
The doggie would let her know when he’s done. My dog would just sit down and refuse to move when his feet got too cold. Then we would carry him!
“Not that this applies to every pregnant woman, but many of us have an increased sex drive while pregnant. There’s also a number of factors that can make sex even more enjoyable while pregnant (but they may fall into the TMI category).”
@Morticians: You got that right. 😉
Mr Vixen is a pilot, so he made an agreement with his boss to fly his little butt off before our Peanut arrived, so he could stay home for the first several weeks after she was born. Maybe that’s what Millepied is doing?
@heebeegeebee
So true and thank God our husbands don’t do the same thing. Mine always waits to clean his behind on the carpet…..You understand I’m talking about my little dog, right?
They are not going to make it to the altar. She is going to kick him to the curb right after the awards.
It’s all for show, people–(engagement) to save face for her major “faux pas”. They won’t be getting married either; for 1, Ballettino is not even Jewish like her,& 2- he’s Bi…!!
Typical celebrity hypocrasy to keep themselves relevant & protect their images & their income streams flowing. Adoring fans are once again DUPED…
@KatScorp- I’ve got 2 dogs & about 3 ft of snow in my yard & what offends my little dog the most isn’t cold on his paws, it’s the snow touching his “parts” if you know what I mean….
According to an article in the NY Times (there were several), Benjamin was a sensation long before he caught up with Natalie.
Please let’s stop with the K-Fed crap-it’s reverse snobbery, or misogyny, or something else off kilter-in any case, it’s inappropriate.
When Baryshnikov and Benjamin’s name come up in the same sentence, there is not much else that needs to be said about his drive and talent. Oh, and being ambitious in your field and trying to expand your appeal (dancers do wear out sooner or later) does not equate to “famewhore”.
On the other hand, he may be a douchebag, but he is a douchebag with great talent, perhaps even more talent than his “fiancee”.
See:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/fashion/03millepied.html?scp=1&sq=Benjamin%20Millepied&st=cse
I’m kind of wondering if he’s even the dad….
Um i get the feeling she may not be overjoyed about this. Getting knocked uo by a man who was with someone else is not a good thing. i give them 6 yrs only bc she’ll be too proud to leave him sooner than that.
Helena Bonham Carters partner hasn’t held her hand through every awards show either, but we don’t get the same rumours. Fact is, those shows are hellishly boring to sit through if you’re not in the industry. And he is busy working. So she probably doesn’t expect him to attend everything. Time to give this couple a break I think.
Those are some fugly outfits she has going there. She better watch out for Mila for real!
If he’s always with Natalie he is famewhore, if he’s not with her he doesn’t give a crap 😉
Some people are just mean. Natalie has look, talent, money, possible Oscar statue, child on the way, fiance… Yes, she has it all… And that’s why you don’t like her
Love Natalie 😀
Totally agree that he looks terrible without facial hair of some sort.
Everytime I see him, I think how old IS this guy? He seems slimy, she could have done so much better.
Orrrr…. maybe he was just contracted to choreograph these ballets before Natalie got pregnant, and now he’s working hard to get things done before she gives birth? (Assuming this story is even true.)
Seriously, people need to make their minds up. Either he’s the golddigging, lazy K-fed who just wants to sit there spending Natalie’s cash, or he’s a workaholic who’s never home. He can’t be both.
Millipied, your hair is thinning. Deal with it. The pouffy look is fooling no one!
I don’t think he should be called Ballet KFed either. This dude has a career unlike KFed. KFed was a golddigger, ready to leech off of Britney’s money.
This guy is something else, but he’s not KFed.
endoplasmic ridiculum- I love your name! But damn if I didn’t miss every single question on a test about the endoplasmic reticulum! Got me every time!
He’s a K-Fraud just like Aubry and Federline. I read a blind on CDAN about the A list nominee who is looking to dump her dude after the awards ceremony. Enty predicted March. We’re nearing that point. I think Natalie’s people are planting seeds.
http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2011/02/todays-blind-items_02.html
All the negativity. Jealousy and desperation for a juicy news story are terrible things to see.
What? The Oscars aren’t over yet???
Feels like we’ve had 20+ award shows so far this year – I can’t believe one of them hasn’t been the Oscars!
Well look how it turned out with KFed and BritBrit. Kfed turned out to be the better, more reliable parent when BritBrit when craycray. You just never know what’s going to happen, and what forces people to become responsible.
Agree with Reality. This guy is no K-Fed. He’s at least as talented and famous as a dancer as Portman is as an actress.
That said, that look on his face in the second photograph speaks volumes. He looks like he wishes he was anywhere else but with her.
Oriat: ITA
Also, I never noticed before how damn short he is!
I’m w/Spinner. I’ve always felt doom was in the air with this pairing.
Besides being the “ballet K-Fed” (love that!), The Centipede smells ever so slightly to me like Carlos Leon.
Uh, since babies don’t eat meat, I’m not really sure why cavemen would be hard-wired to stockpile it. Not to mention they couldn’t have kept it preserved long enough.
Evolutionarily speaking, it would be more beneficial for the man to be home protecting a pregnant woman who would be more vulnerable than usual. Food comes later, after birth.
I think 20th century fame-whoring sperm donors just aren’t always capable of maintaining the act for very long.
Yes think it was CDAN who hinted that Millepied was pretty much just sperm donor, he is just being kept around for awards season.
I am also tired of this ballet K-fed crap. Maybe he’s not spending time with her cos he is atually busy working and has better things to do than getting dolled up to be Portman’s accessory? This guy has a career and is well known in his industry…the haters are just grasping at straws here.
@heebeegeebee – thankyou. The pavement here Down Under gets hot and my dog really feels it through his paws, so I was little concerned at the pic of a little dog like my own walking on a frozen ground.
@Rita and @melangie – 🙂 My dog used to do that, wiping his bum across the carpet. Ewww!
Babies may not eat meat, but their mamas sure do! They are the one’s supplying all the baby’s nutritional needs for the first 3 to 6 months. And meat, when it is smoked and/or dried, keeps for quite some time.
Most successful male ballet dancers are small. Barishnikov was tiny as well, although more muscled than Millipied.
Careers and parenthood are no longer mutually exclusive. Everyone needs to stop pretending that it’s 50 years ago.
Ballet dancers have natural meth in their oxygen. Most of them are wack jobs! What the viewer saw as camp in that movie, many of them know as their real life. That’s why they’re not complaining and calling her out about how crazy she played that character. It’s true! The females are neurotics and the males act like the females x 10. THAT’S probably who this dude is. If he’s a db, it’s only a side effect of being a basketcase.
Good luck to that babychild. Xanex formula bottles anyone?
Famewhoring is how people get ahead in the arts these days, particularly film and its poor cousin, ballet. Talent is only a fraction of what it takes to succeed. That’s not really shocking news. Besides, the point is, does she really deserve a best actress Oscar for BS? Don’t think so… and her dancing was embarrassingly bad.
Relationships in the “business” are hard enough to maintain without the added pressures of a highly anticipated awards season, a “surprise” pregnancy and a rush to engagement all at once.
I doubt that either of them are at their best right now at a time when their every move is being scrutinized. Most women have a hard time dealing with a pregnancy, insecurity wells up big time, especially as a woman’s body changes so significantly. And I know of a LOT of relationships that go south during a pregnancy, especially if a man isn’t used to sharing the “spotlight”, so to speak. So any critique of these two has to be somewhat accurate especially in regards to grumbling about their relationship. Successful parenting is a partnership, and Benjamin does not strike me as a guy who relishes giving up anything for anyone else, especially if those compromises will involve trading galas and opening nights for night feedings, poopy diapers and the smell of sour milk.
If they make it beyond a year after the baby is born, I will be amazed.
So the guy has a successful career; how exactly does that make him a loser? That being said, accidental pregnancy does not necessarily result in a long-lasting relationship or marriage; and the “Oscar Curse” is not so much a curse, but a manifestation of the phenomena that most men are too insecure to be with a woman who is more successful than he is, and cannot see past their wounded pride to do what’s in his own best interests and share the financial rewards of her success, but leave to be poor and alone.
#70 Theresa: I’m with you. I don’t know why, but I got the feeling that her pregnancy was completely an accident; one that she is happy about and he isn’t too much. I’m probably just projecting, but he seems like he can’t find a way out of this situation without looking like a jerk. I’m afraid that Natalie is going to get her heart broken because she really seems like she fell for the guy.
I am quite familiar with Benjamin M from working in the industry for over 15 years. This man is nothing but a fame whore and never wasted a minute cosying up to the wealthy patrons and sleeping around. He would pal around with his best friend who works in film and his wannabe film star friend would promise girls “roles”in his upcoming films. Total douchebag.