Mila Kunis Reflects on Her Intensive Preparation for “Black Swan”

During her portrayal in the psychological thriller “Black Swan,” Mila Kunis drastically limited her food intake and dedicated herself to dancing for long hours to prepare for her role.

“My prep involved a lot of dancing and almost no eating—though I know you’re not supposed to admit that, but it’s the truth,” Kunis revealed in a joint interview with her co-star Natalie Portman. She shared that she consumed mostly broth and danced for up to 12 hours daily. Originally given three months to prepare, filming was extended to six months due to financing issues, allowing more time for training and rehearsal.

Kunis also recounted how physically demanding the dance scenes were. “We shot those sequences for hours, and I ended up with bruises from being lifted repeatedly,” she explained. She dislocated her shoulder early on but managed to recover with acupuncture, thanks to Darren Aronofsky’s support.

Portman, who played Nina Sayers, gained insight into ballet through the process, with Kunis noting she learned a lot from her trainer, a former New York City Ballet dancer, sharing stories that offered rich background into the ballet world.

Kunis emphasized that the physical toll left her body marked. She famously lost around 20 pounds for her role, stating that her physique “has never been the same” after. She described her body as “muscles, like a little brick house, but skin and bones” at her lowest weight, noting significant changes when she regained weight, which redistributed to different areas like her hips and stomach.

When asked if she would undertake another weight-loss role, Kunis said she might consider it if the right opportunity arose, though it wouldn’t be something she looks forward to.