Some people know him as a successful young choreographer, while others know him as the husband and partner in the film “Black Swan” of actress Natalie Portman. However, wherever he goes, Benjamin Millepied feels a special interest in himself even from those who do not know him at all, and all thanks to his charisma and incredible energy. Outwardly, the actor and choreographer is very attractive; he has fair skin, dark hair and almond-shaped gray-blue eyes with a steely shine.
Biography
Millepied Benjamin is a famous French dancer and choreographer, film actor, screenwriter and director, born in Bordeaux in June 1977. His father was a professional athlete and musician, and his mother was a modern dance teacher. In a word, from the cradle the boy grew up to the sounds of music, and from the age of 6-7, at the encouragement of his mother, he expressed a desire to dance, since constant listening to rhythmic melodies gave rise to a desire in him to express his feelings and emotions through movement. He was incredibly flexible, but he didn’t like dancing in a group. Already from childhood he was a true individualist. Less than a few months had passed since he came to the dance hall, and he was already allowed to perform on stage. It was a sketch staged by six-year-old Benjamin himself.
basic information
The hero of the article was born on June 10, 1977 in the French city of Bordeaux. He has two more older brothers. Benjamin Millepied spent his early years in the capital of Senegal, Dakar.
Since his mother, Catherine Florin, was a ballerina, it is not surprising that at the age of eight the boy also began to actively engage in this form of art. At the age of thirteen, the teenager became a student at the Lyon Conservatory of Music and Dance. His mentor was the famous teacher Michel Rahn.
In 1992, the Frenchman moved overseas and took summer courses at the School of American Ballet, where a year later he continued his studies again and was even able to become the owner of a scholarship from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his home country.
In 1994, Benjamin Millepied made it to the finals of a ballet competition called the Prix de Lausanne. He also took part in the production of the ballet “Inventions and Symphonies”, staged to the music of Bach.
Education
When the boy was 10 years old, his family moved to Lyon. Here he continued his studies in a dance studio, and at the age of 13 he decided to enter the Lyon Conservatory, in the department of classical ballet. The admissions committee was at a loss; until now they had not had applicants of such a young age. However, after seeing what teenager Benjamin Millepied, whose photo is posted in the article, was doing on the floor, all members of the commission were delighted and decided to make an exception for him. So he became a student at the conservatory. Before the final exams, the young man decided that after graduation he would definitely go to the States and make a dizzying career. In the USA, he decided to continue his education and entered the New York School of American Ballet. And here he was younger than his classmates, he was only 16 years old.
Dancer career
In 1995, Benjamin Millepied was accepted into the New York City Ballet troupe. After only three years of work, he became a soloist, and in 2002 - the premiere of the troupe. The dancer participates in productions by famous choreographers Peter Martins, Jerome Robbins and George Balanchine.
Together with the artists of the New York City Ballet troupe, he took part in the work on the animated films “Barbie in the Nutcracker” (2001) and “Barbie in Swan Lake” (2003). All the dance movements of the fairy-tale characters were borrowed from real ballet dancers.
Benjamin's stage career ended in October 2011.
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TV and advertising
In order to get on television, it is not enough to have an interesting appearance, you also need to have luck. Of course, Benjamin Millepied has both. Finding himself in America and performing as a dancer, after some time he was noticed by television crews and invited to shoot commercials. Of course, the young Frenchman was flattered by this offer, and he agreed with pleasure. And having appeared on television screens, he became recognizable and popular, especially among women.
Of course, given his data: Benjamin Millepied, whose height is 178 cm, has a sexy, dazzling smile, gray-blue and sometimes blue eyes, the look of which can drive any woman crazy. Ben starred in a commercial for the men's perfume L'Homme libre ("Free Man") of the world famous brand Saint Laurent, as well as for L'Envol (Air France). The company's marketing department employees were attracted to him by his unique style, positive energy and charm. And his stunning plasticity delighted the famous photographer Patrick Demarchelier.
The story of a popular actress
Natalie Portman's homeland is Israel. June 9, 1981 is the date of birth of the famous actress. When the girl was three years old, her parents decided to move to America. Natalie's father decided to improve his qualifications in order to get a good position.
The family lived in Washington for several months. Then they decided to move to Long Island. But they didn’t stay in this city either. The family went to France. Natalie began attending a dance school and a theater group. It was in France that she made her debut on the set. The first film brought her huge success. Natalie Portman starred in the film “Leon” along with the famous actor Jean Reno. She worked at the site under her grandmother’s last name. Real name: Natalie Hershlag.
However, the girl did not dream of becoming an actress. She treated filming as a hobby. Science and learning came first for her. But the role of Princess Amidala convinced her that she should become an actress. However, Natalie did not abandon science either. The actress is a graduate in psychology and an active member of PETA.
The film “Black Swan” brought the girl not only a long-awaited statuette (Oscar), but also an acquaintance with Benjamin Millepied.
Career as a choreographer, actor, director and screenwriter
After Benjamin Millepied announced that he would no longer perform in productions, he decided to try himself as a choreographer and staged the play in London in 2002. This was his debut work, and quite successful. Other performances followed. While working at the New York Ballet, he met his compatriot Thierry Esquech. He liked the contemporary music that he wrote, there was a lot of room for experimentation and risk, and Benjamin was a very daring dancer and choreographer who was not afraid to break ingrained rules.
Millepied left London for France. He decided to stage a play based on Esquech’s work “The Lost Dancer,” but changed its name and called the play Why Am I Not Where You Are. In 2009, he was invited as a choreographer for the Hollywood thriller “Black Swan”, and also played one of the supporting roles in it. However, this was not his film debut. He was first invited by director Owen Hurley to film the animated film Barbie of Swan Lake. Despite the fact that it was just animation, Millepied then became infected with the desire to star in some kind of film. And then he received an offer from the director of “Black Swan”, it was a wonderful chance. In 2011, he decided to delve even deeper into cinema, this time he acted as the director and screenwriter of the film “Time Doesn’t Stand Still.”
Excerpt characterizing Millepied, Benjamin
- Which knight? From what? – Pierre asked, blushing. - Well, come on, dear Count, c'est la fable de tout Moscou. Je vous admire, ma parole d'honneur. [all of Moscow knows this. Really, I'm surprised at you.] - Fine! Fine! - said the militiaman. - OK then. You can't tell me how boring it is! – Qu'est ce qui est la fable de tout Moscou? [What does all of Moscow know?] - Pierre said angrily, getting up. - Come on, Count. You know! “I don’t know anything,” said Pierre. – I know that you were friends with Natalie, and that’s why... No, I’m always friendlier with Vera. Cette chere Vera! [This dear Vera!] - Non, madame, [No, madame.] - Pierre continued in a dissatisfied tone. “I didn’t take on the role of Rostova’s knight at all, and I haven’t been with them for almost a month.” But I don’t understand cruelty... – Qui s’excuse – s’accuse, [Whoever apologizes, blames himself.] – Julie said, smiling and waving the lint and, so that she had the last word, she immediately changed the conversation. “What, I found out today: poor Marie Volkonskaya arrived in Moscow yesterday. Did you hear she lost her father? - Really! Where is she? “I would very much like to see her,” said Pierre. – I spent the evening with her yesterday. Today or tomorrow morning she is going to the Moscow region with her nephew. - Well, how is she? - said Pierre. - Nothing, I’m sad. But do you know who saved her? This is a whole novel. Nicholas Rostov. They surrounded her, wanted to kill her, wounded her people. He rushed in and saved her... “Another novel,” said the militiaman. “This general elopement was decidedly done so that all the old brides would get married.” Catiche is one, Princess Bolkonskaya is another. “You know that I really think that she is un petit peu amoureuse du jeune homme.” [a little in love with a young man.] - Fine! Fine! Fine! - But how can you say this in Russian?.. When Pierre returned home, he was given two posters by Rastopchin that had been brought that day. The first said that the rumor that Count Rostopchin was prohibited from leaving Moscow was unfair and that, on the contrary, Count Rostopchin was glad that ladies and merchant wives were leaving Moscow. “Less fear, less news,” the poster said, “but I answer with my life that there will be no villain in Moscow.” These words clearly showed Pierre for the first time that the French would be in Moscow. The second poster said that our main apartment was in Vyazma, that Count Wittschstein defeated the French, but that since many residents want to arm themselves, there are weapons prepared for them in the arsenal: sabers, pistols, guns, which residents can get at a cheap price. The tone of the posters was no longer as playful as in Chigirin’s previous conversations. Pierre thought about these posters. Obviously, that terrible thundercloud, which he called upon with all the strength of his soul and which at the same time aroused involuntary horror in him - obviously this cloud was approaching. “Should I enlist in the military and go to the army or wait? – Pierre asked himself this question for the hundredth time. He took a deck of cards lying on his table and began to play solitaire. “If this solitaire comes out,” he said to himself, mixing the deck, holding it in his hand and looking up, “if it comes out, it means... what does it mean?..” He didn’t have time to decide what it meant when a voice was heard behind the office door the eldest princess asking if she could come in. “Then it will mean that I have to go to the army,” Pierre finished to himself. “Come in, come in,” he added, turning to the prince. (One eldest princess, with a long waist and a petrified face, continued to live in Pierre’s house; the two younger ones got married.) “Forgive me, mon cousin, for coming to you,” she said in a reproachfully excited voice. - After all, we finally need to decide on something! What will it be? Everyone has left Moscow, and the people are rioting. Why are we staying? “On the contrary, everything seems to be fine, ma cousine,” said Pierre with that habit of playfulness that Pierre, who always embarrassedly endured his role as a benefactor in front of the princess, acquired for himself in relation to her. - Yes, it’s good... good well-being! Today Varvara Ivanovna told me how different our troops are. You can certainly attribute it to honor. And the people have completely rebelled, they stop listening; My girl started being rude too. Soon they will start beating us too. You can't walk on the streets. And most importantly, the French will be here tomorrow, what can we expect! “I ask one thing, mon cousin,” said the princess, “order me to be taken to St. Petersburg: whatever I am, I cannot live under Bonaparte’s rule.” - Come on, ma cousine, where do you get your information from? On the contrary... - I will not submit to your Napoleon. Others do whatever they want... If you don’t want to do it... - Yes, I will do it, I’ll order it now. The princess was apparently annoyed that there was no one to be angry with. She sat down on a chair, whispering something. “But this is being conveyed to you incorrectly,” said Pierre. “Everything is quiet in the city, and there is no danger.” I was reading just now...” Pierre showed the princess the posters. – The Count writes that he answers with his life that the enemy will not be in Moscow. “Oh, this count of yours,” the princess spoke angrily, “is a hypocrite, a villain who himself incited the people to rebel.” Wasn’t he the one who wrote in those stupid posters that whoever he was, drag him by the crest to the exit (and how stupid)! Whoever takes it, he says, will have honor and glory. So I was quite happy. Varvara Ivanovna said that her people almost killed her because she spoke French... “But it’s so... You take everything to heart,” said Pierre and began to play solitaire. Despite the fact that the solitaire had worked out, Pierre did not go to the army, but remained in empty Moscow, still in the same anxiety, indecision, in fear and at the same time in joy, expecting something terrible. The next day, the princess left in the evening, and his chief manager came to Pierre with the news that the money he required to outfit the regiment could not be obtained unless one estate was sold. The general manager generally represented to Pierre that all these undertakings of the regiment were supposed to ruin him. Pierre had difficulty hiding his smile as he listened to the manager’s words. “Well, sell it,” he said. - What can I do, I can’t refuse now! The worse the state of affairs, and especially his affairs, was, the more pleasant it was for Pierre, the more obvious it was that the catastrophe he was waiting for was approaching. Almost none of Pierre's acquaintances were in the city. Julie left, Princess Marya left. Of the close acquaintances, only the Rostovs remained; but Pierre did not go to them. On this day, Pierre, in order to have fun, went to the village of Vorontsovo to see a large balloon that was being built by Leppich to destroy the enemy, and a test balloon that was supposed to be launched tomorrow. This ball was not ready yet; but, as Pierre learned, it was built at the request of the sovereign. The Emperor wrote to Count Rastopchin the following about this ball: “Aussitot que Leppich sera pret, composez lui un equipage pour sa nacelle d'hommes surs et intelligents et depechez un courrier au general Koutousoff pour l'en prevenir. Je l'ai instruit de la chose. Recommandez, je vous prie, a Leppich d'etre bien attentif sur l'endroit ou il descendra la premiere fois, pour ne pas se tromper et ne pas tomber dans les mains de l'ennemi. "Il est indispensable qu'il combine ses mouvements avec le general en chef." [As soon as Leppich is ready, assemble a crew for his boat of loyal and intelligent people and send a courier to General Kutuzov to warn him. I informed him about this. Please instruct Leppich to pay careful attention to the place where he descends for the first time, so as not to make a mistake and not fall into the hands of the enemy. It is necessary that he coordinate his movements with the movements of the commander-in-chief.]
Personal life
Many girls and women are interested in the private lives of their favorite artists. Is Benjamin Millepied free? “Black Swan” became significant for the dancer not only in terms of his career, but also for his personal life. It was on the set that he met his future wife, the famous actress Natalie Portman, who played the leading role. They had many common interests, because Natalie studied ballet as a child, and this topic was close to her.
Even before the filming of the film was completed, the entire press began to discuss the newly formed star couple. However, Natalie and Benjamin remained silent. During the film's premiere, rumors spread about Natalie's pregnancy, and soon it was no longer possible to hide it. Soon the son of the star couple was born. The couple arrived at the Oscars together, with wedding rings sparkling on their ring fingers. The tabloid press was disappointed - missing such an important event as the wedding of the new Oscar winner is an unforgivable omission. But what could one do when Natalie and Benjamin kept it a closely guarded secret?
Later it became known that the wedding was played in Jewish traditions. The bride insisted on this. To do this, the Catholic Millepied had to convert to Judaism. In exchange for this, the young wife agreed to move to her husband in Paris, where her husband held the honorary position of chief choreographer of the Paris Opera ballet troupe. After 5 years of family idyll, rumors appeared in the press that this beautiful couple would soon divorce, and Natalie wanted to have sole custody of her son, depriving his father of this opportunity. Why did he annoy his wife so much?
Productions by French choreographer
From 2001 to 2014, Benjamin worked on several dozen productions. Here are just a few of them:
- Productions for the Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon: “Passages” (2001); Clapping Music (2002).
- The ballet “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini” (2005) was created to the music of the great composer S. V. Rachmaninov. The production was performed for the School of American Ballet.
- For the Paris Opera in 2006, Benjamin staged Amoveo.
- In 2010, One Thing Leads to Another was created for the Dutch National Ballet with music by Nico Muhly.
- In 2011, work was underway on Troika for the American Ballet Theater and The Bartered Bride for the Metropolitan Opera.
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