The 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan delves into the compeтιтive and often harsh world of professional ballet, and Mila Kunis’ training for the movie made her never want to dance again. The movie centers on Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a ballerina whose obsession with perfection drives her to the edge of sanity. Alongside Portman, Mila Kunis stars as Lily, a rival dancer whose presence adds to Nina’s growing paranoia. The Oscar-nominated horror movie received widespread acclaim, with critics praising its intense performances, particularly those of Portman and Kunis, and its hauntingly beautiful portrayal of the ballet world.

Mila Kunis, primarily known for her roles in comedies such as That ’70s Show and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, underwent a dramatic transformation for her role in Black Swan. Her commitment to the part in the Darren Aronofsky-directed movie was evident in the physical and emotional demands she endured during her training. Kunis’ preparation for the role involved an arduous regimen that tested her limits and led to significant physical injuries, leaving a lasting impact on her body and mind.

Mila Kunis’ Punishing Black Swan Training Explained

The Black Swan Actor Tore A Ligament, Dislocated A Shoulder, & Has Scars On Her Back

To prepare for Black Swan, Mila Kunis embarked on a grueling training regimen that pushed her to the brink (via TikTok). “I had never danced in my life. I trained for four months for seven days a week, five hours a day, including an hour of cardio a day,” Kunis revealed. She had an intense schedule necessary to portray a professional ballerina convincingly, but it came at a high cost. Kunis suffered numerous injuries during her training, including a torn ligament. She commented:

“I tore a ligament, I dislocated my shoulder, I have two scars on my back… I will never dance again… It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Kunis’ dedication to her role is undeniable, and her performance in Black Swan received praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. However, the physical toll it took raises ethical questions about the demands placed on actors. While the result on screen was an outstanding performance, one must consider whether such extreme measures are justified.

​​The entertainment industry often glamorizes the intense preparation actors undergo, such as Daniel Day-Lewis’s extreme method acting, but the reality can be damaging, both physically and mentally. Kunis revealed (via Collider):

“The thing about ballet that I never knew about is that it’s one of the most excruciating sports that I’ve ever been a part of. I say sports because they train constantly, every single day. Your body changes. Your shoulders drop, your chest opens up and there’s a certain posture that I don’t naturally have because I slouch.”

The rigorous training altered her body in ways she hadn’t anticipated, showcasing the sheer physicality and discipline required in ballet. Despite her impressive transformation, Kunis’ experience underscores the potentially harmful extremes actors sometimes endure for their craft.

Mila Kunis Also Kept A Strict Diet & Smoked Cigarettes For Black Swan

Kunis Was On A Strict Diet Of 1200 Calories Per Day

In addition to her punishing dance training, Mila Kunis also adhered to a strict diet and smoked cigarettes to achieve the emaciated look required for her role in Black Swan. In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Kunis shared:

“I had to look skinny. I never watched what I ate. I’m not promoting this at all. I used to be a smoker, so I smoked a lot of cigarettes and I ate a limited amount of calories. It was a 1200-or-less calorie diet a day.”

The extreme measures Kunis took highlight the lengths actors sometimes go to physically transform for a role. This kind of dedication is often lauded in Hollywood, but it also brings to light the dangers and potential health risks ᴀssociated with such drastic changes. Kunis’ reliance on smoking and severe calorie restriction is particularly concerning, as these methods can have long-term negative effects on an individual’s health.

While Kunis’ performance in Black Swan was undoubtedly compelling, her experience serves as a cautionary tale. The physical and mental sacrifices she made for the role were significant, and they underscore the need for better support and consideration of actors’ well-being. The industry must balance the demands of authenticity with the health and safety of its performers.

Kunis’ Black Swan story is a reminder of the potentially harmful consequences of extreme preparation and the importance of fostering a more humane approach to the art of filmmaking.

Other Actors Who Went Through Harrowing Training For A Role

Natalie Portman, John Krasinski & Chris Hemsworth

While Mila Kunis went to extremes for her role in Black Swan, she wasn’t the only one. Natalie Portman, the film’s star, also went to extremes. Portman played Mary Helen Bowers, and she practiced for eight hours a day, six days a week, for over a year before shooting the film. Portman also had several swimming classes, cross-training, and endurance exercises. “I think there is a credibility that lets you get lost in the story when you feel that all the details are right,” Portman said (via New York Times).

John Krasinski is someone who went to extreme lengths to train his body to peak condition for his war movie, 13 Hours. Krasinski, best known before this for his role in The Office, knew he had to change his physique to win the role in the Michael Bay movie. He joined up with the same man who trained Bradley Cooper for America Sniper, going through 10 weeks of twice-a-day workouts. He also underwent military training to ensure he played the role properly.

On the opposite spectrum, Chris Hemsworth shed the muscle fans know from roles like Thor in the MCU. This was for In The Heart of the Sea. He and 15 of his fellow cast members went on a “Lost at Sea” diet, where they ate about 500 calories daily, consisting of boiled eggs and salads. He lost 33 pounds in four weeks. “In order to do it justice, the story, we had to suffer in some way, and we did,” Hemsworth said (via PEOPLE). “In other words, not a whole lot of acting was required. We were desperate.”

Sources: TikTok, Collider, The Howard Stern Show