Natalie Portman Got Real With Us About Miss Dior Essence
On the subject of love, Natalie says, “I’d do anything for love – as long as it doesn’t involve self‑sacrifice.”
If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about longevity in the world of beauty, it’s Natalie Portman, who has fronted Miss Dior for 14 years. On September 1, Dior unveiled Miss Dior Essence – the latest evolution of the signature scent launched in 1947 – alongside a new campaign where the actress once again takes on the role of a fearless, freedom‑seeking heroine (this time with a post‑punk edge). Here, she speaks to Lucy Lauron about the fragrance and its enduring spirit.
Natalie Portman reprises her role as a fearless heroine in the campaign for the latest iteration of Miss Dior, Miss Dior Essence, launched on Sept 1. In the film, she runs freely through Paris in a warrior‑inspired corset and knee‑high biker boots, embodying the bold, vibrant energy of the scent – an intense gourmand with top notes of blackberry and elderflower, a jasmine sambac heart, and an oak wood base.
HELLO, NATALIE! IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT HAS MISS DIOR ESSENCE – THE NEWEST INTERPRETATION OF MISS DIOR BY FRANCIS KURKDJIAN, DIOR BEAUTY’S PERFUME CREATION DIRECTOR – BROUGHT TO THE MISS DIOR FAMILY?
“I think Francis’s scent has made Miss Dior very bold yet romantic. There’s a real floral quality, but it’s bold, strong and wild.” (While Miss Dior Essence maintains the jasmine heart of the original Miss Dior that launched in 1947, it has far more punch – opening with notes of elderflower and blackberry, alongside facets of fruit preserves, before settling into a woody oak base.)
WHO DO YOU FEEL THIS SCENT IS MADE FOR?
“I think it’s made for a woman who is very independent and free, but also romantic. I think it combines strength with a love for love.”
DO YOU SEE ANY PARALLELS BETWEEN MISS DIOR ESSENCE AND THE KIND OF WOMAN YOU ARE OR ADMIRE?
“Well, I think the inspiration for the original scent, Catherine Dior – Christian Dior’s sister, who was a very brave and idealistic resistance fighter during World War II – is still very present in this new scent.”
INDEED, MISS DIOR ESSENCE IS ALL ABOUT PUSHING BOUNDARIES AND BEING FEARLESS. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU’VE WATCHED OR READ RECENTLY THAT FEELS JUST AS BOUNDARY‑PUSHING?
“Something I found quite boundary‑pushing was the film Sorry, Baby (the 2025 dark comedy by Eva Victor about a woman navigating life following a sexual assault). That was really wonderful. The book All Fours by Miranda July is also very bold and boundary‑pushing (the 2024 novel follows a perimenopausal woman on a wild road trip). I also saw a great performance by actress Sarah Snook in New York. It was a one‑woman play of The Picture of Dorian Gray and was really incredible – she’s extraordinary.”
FRANCIS KURKDJIAN MENTIONED THAT HE WAS INSPIRED BY SERGE GAINSBOURG’S SONG COMIC STRIP WHILE CREATING THE FRAGRANCE. IS THERE A SONG THAT MAKES YOU FEEL BOLD, POWERFUL AND YOUTHFUL?
“When I was a kid, I was really into Fiona Apple and I still listen to her a lot. She just brings me back to my youth. I remember her being such a strong young artiste then, and she still is now. So I’d say all of her music does.”
SO IF MISS DIOR ESSENCE WERE A FIONA APPLE SONG, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?
“Probably Extraordinary Machine. I like that one a lot.”
YOU’VE ALSO PLAYED MANY CHARACTERS AND INCREDIBLY LAYERED WOMEN OVER THE YEARS. HAS PLAYING THEM INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU EXPERIENCE BEAUTY? AND WHO AMONG THEM DO YOU FEEL CARRIES THE MISS DIOR ESSENCE SPIRIT?
“I do think that in playing all these characters, you really learn how to express a mood through one’s exterior – you have to think about the hair, the makeup and the costume that would feel right for them. I suppose there are a few characters I’ve played who could relate to Miss Dior Essence: probably Queen Amidala, and maybe also Jackie Kennedy, for their idealism.”
Famously described as “cut like a suit”, the Miss Dior bottle returns in its original hue and dagger bow for Miss Dior Essence. What’s new: a glass cap – a first for the Miss Dior perfume range – and sides that are frosted and etched with Dior’s signature houndstooth pattern all around.
BOTH YOUR LATEST FILM, FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, AND THE MISS DIOR ESSENCE CAMPAIGN ARE LINKED TO THE THEME OF YOUTH. WAS THIS PARALLEL INTENTIONAL?
“It was definitely not intentional, but I think there’s an inadvertent link because both show that the way to be most alive is to stay connected to your senses and to keep a sense of wonder. Both are about a youthful way of looking at the world and being in love with it – that’s the best way to find the so‑called fountain of youth.”
AND HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CONFIDENT FEMININITY, ANOTHER CENTRAL THEME OF THE MISS DIOR ESSENCE CAMPAIGN?
“I think confident femininity is about loving yourself and having the confidence to express yourself. Once you’re able to be true to yourself, your connection to others becomes much more real, deep and fulfilling.”
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CONTINUE EMPOWERING WOMEN TODAY, AND HOW CAN BEAUTY BECOME A TOOL FOR EMPOWERMENT RATHER THAN EXPECTATION?
“I think that when we look at beauty as a form of self‑expression and individuality, everyone brings out their own sense of self. Ask people what makes them feel most confident and unique – that’s when we can truly celebrate each person’s best attributes. I’m lucky to be part of a production company – co‑founded with my business partner Sophie Mas – where we support and encourage many female voices to write and direct more. I also have my women’s soccer team, Angel City Football Club, in Los Angeles – another platform through which we celebrate female leadership and greatness, and give young kids opportunities to have incredible female athletes as role models.”
THE NEW MISS DIOR ESSENCE CAMPAIGN THAT YOU STAR IN ENDS WITH THE LINE: “AND YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?” WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE DONE IN THE NAME OF LOVE?
“I think the answer is: anything. I’d do anything for love – as long as it doesn’t involve self‑sacrifice, because you want to be around to experience the love, of course. I’ve done many crazy things for love. I mean, I’ve done a lot out of love for my kids. In fact, probably everything I do is out of love for them.”
WHAT IS ONE BEAUTY LESSON YOU’D WANT TO PASS ON TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION OF ACTORS – AND TO YOUR CHILDREN?
“It would be to just look and feel most like yourself. Develop your sense of self and your own individuality.
THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY.