'Black Swan' Body Double Sarah Lane Stirs Controversy

Lane says there's been a 'cover-up' to promote idea that Natalie Portman did most of the dancing.
By Eric Ditzian


Natalie Portman in "Black Swan"
Photo: FOX Searchlight

"It was really extreme," Natalie Portman told MTV News in November. "And I definitely felt both physical and mental aftershocks from the experience, because it was the first thing I've ever done that was this physically demanding on top of an emotionally demanding part."

She was speaking about the 10 months she spent training to play a ballerina in "Black Swan," a role that would earn her a Best Actress Oscar in February. Now that awards season is over, however, a controversy has erupted over how much of the dancing in "Black Swan" was executed by Portman and how much was the work of her professional ballet-dancing body doubles.

Sarah Lane, a 27-year-old soloist at the American Ballet Theatre who stood in for Portman in the film, told Entertainment Weekly that she has been the victim of a "cover-up" meant to tout Portman's work at the expense of her own.

"Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie. All the other shots are me," she said. "They wanted to create this idea in people's minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar. It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I've been doing this for 22 years."

Following Lane's comments, Fox Searchlight released a statement that was both supportive of the dancer but emphasized the amount of Portman's own ballet that made it into the movie. "We were fortunate to have Sarah there to cover the more complicated dance sequences and we have nothing but praise for the hard work she did," the statement read. "However, Natalie herself did most of the dancing featured in the final film."

The debate caught fire last week after Benjamin Millepied, Portman's fiancé and "Black Swan" choreographer, told the Los Angeles Times, "There are articles now talking about her dance double [Lane] that are making it sound like [Lane] did a lot of the work, but really, she just did the footwork, and the fouettés, and one diagonal [phrase] in the studio. Honestly, 85 percent of that movie is Natalie."

MTV News asked Portman's reps for comment but had not heard back as of press time.

Check out everything we've got on "Black Swan."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660763/black-swan-natalie-portman-dancing-controversy.jhtml

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'Black Swan' Body Double Sarah Lane Stirs Controversy

Lane says there's been a 'cover-up' to promote idea that Natalie Portman did most of the dancing.
By Eric Ditzian


Natalie Portman in "Black Swan"
Photo: FOX Searchlight

"It was really extreme," Natalie Portman told MTV News in November. "And I definitely felt both physical and mental aftershocks from the experience, because it was the first thing I've ever done that was this physically demanding on top of an emotionally demanding part."

She was speaking about the 10 months she spent training to play a ballerina in "Black Swan," a role that would earn her a Best Actress Oscar in February. Now that awards season is over, however, a controversy has erupted over how much of the dancing in "Black Swan" was executed by Portman and how much was the work of her professional ballet-dancing body doubles.

Sarah Lane, a 27-year-old soloist at the American Ballet Theatre who stood in for Portman in the film, told Entertainment Weekly that she has been the victim of a "cover-up" meant to tout Portman's work at the expense of her own.

"Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie. All the other shots are me," she said. "They wanted to create this idea in people's minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar. It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I've been doing this for 22 years."

Following Lane's comments, Fox Searchlight released a statement that was both supportive of the dancer but emphasized the amount of Portman's own ballet that made it into the movie. "We were fortunate to have Sarah there to cover the more complicated dance sequences and we have nothing but praise for the hard work she did," the statement read. "However, Natalie herself did most of the dancing featured in the final film."

The debate caught fire last week after Benjamin Millepied, Portman's fiancé and "Black Swan" choreographer, told the Los Angeles Times, "There are articles now talking about her dance double [Lane] that are making it sound like [Lane] did a lot of the work, but really, she just did the footwork, and the fouettés, and one diagonal [phrase] in the studio. Honestly, 85 percent of that movie is Natalie."

MTV News asked Portman's reps for comment but had not heard back as of press time.

Check out everything we've got on "Black Swan."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Related Videos Related Photos

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660763/black-swan-natalie-portman-dancing-controversy.jhtml

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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657728/usher-justin-bieber-grammy-performance.jhtml

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Usher Gets Sick, Walks Offstage Mid-Show In Berlin

Singer cancels kick off date of European leg of his OMG Tour due to illness.
By Gil Kaufman


Usher (file)
Photo: Michael Caulfield/ WireImage

Usher was forced to delay the kick off of his European OMG Tour on Wednesday night in Berlin because of illness. In a statement released to fans, the singer apologized for the last-minute scratch, saying he felt he was suffering from a "sinus complication." Although the gig was rescheduled for Thursday night at the O2 World arena in Berlin, his German fans apparently weren't appeased by his effort.

"I am truly sorry to all my fans in Berlin who were inconvenienced by tonight's postponement of the show," the singer said in a statement about Wednesday's aborted concert. "I was ill and felt that I would not have been able to give them the show that they properly deserve. ... I am looking forward to performing tomorrow and giving Berliners a great show."

According to the statement, the singer received treatment from doctors for a sinus issue that affected his balance, but a visibly still-ailing Usher was unable to finish the Thursday make-up show, reportedly abandoning the stage after just five songs.

On Friday (January 14), a follow-up statement from his spokesperson confirmed that he was too ill to play Thursday night's Berlin date and has been forced to reschedule the next three dates on the tour as well. The Rotterdam show originally scheduled for this week has been moved to March 1 and a show in Antwerp, also slated for this week, has been bumped to March 7.

The statement also updated the singer's condition: "Usher is suffering from upper respiratory illness, which is currently preventing him from performing a proper show. After consultation with doctors, he has been advised to reschedule the upcoming dates in order to get the rest he needs to ensure a complete recovery."

Footage posted on YouTube that was purportedly taken at the make-up performance in Berlin shows Usher standing silently at the microphone seemingly unable to sing, with fans booing him at first and then chanting, "Usher, Usher," as he approaches the microphone and apologizes to them for his struggles. "I appreciate your support," he told the fans wearily.

"I have been very excited about my European Tour and I deeply regret having to reschedule the shows," the singer said in the new statement. "I am truly sorry for any inconvenience I have caused my fans. My fans are the best in the world and I am looking forward to getting better so that I can give them the show they deserve."

Usher wrapped up the North American leg of his tour in December and his overseas dates are slated to last through the spring.

What do you think of the fans' reaction to Usher's walking offstage mid-show? Tell us in the comments.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655991/usher-gets-sick-walks-offstage-midshow-berlin.jhtml

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Afternoon Links With Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse and boyfriend Reg Traviss are pictured leaving the Hawley Arms in Camden, London, UK. (INF)Elizabeth Hurley's breakfast of champions. (FitCeleb) Are you surprised that the man behind Ed Hardy clothing dresses like this? (Trendmill) Charisma Carpenter goes green for 'The Last Exorcism'. (Celebslam) Chad Ochocinco fined $25,000 for Tweeting. (Bossip) Cheryl Cole turns down big offer from Playboy. (Celebitchy) Coco shows off her flexibility. (Cityrag) Can you guess who this speedo belongs to? (Popbytes) Sandra Bullock signs on to do 9/11 movie. Is it too soon? (ICYDK) Charlize Theron shows off her summer glow. (Popoholic) Shauna Sand takes a walk on the wild side. (Derek Hail) Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2010/08/25/afternoon-links-with-amy-winehouse-2/

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Celebrity Pictures: Ashlee Simpson Takes Bronx Grocery Shopping

It looks like Ashlee Simpson is trying to keep things normal for Bronx in the wake of her sudden split from Pete Wentz. She was spotted leaving the grocery store yesterday. Ashlee seems to be managing okay throughout all of … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/02/26/celebrity-pictures-ashlee-simpson-takes-bronx-grocery-shopping/

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Tom And Katie Take Suri To Science World

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes took their ever fashionable daughter Suri to Science World in Vancouver yesterday. Katie?s was spotted out for lunch the day before with Tom?s daughter, Isabella. The trio got the VIP treatment at the venue where … Continue reading

Source: http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2011/02/10/tom-and-katie-take-suri-to-science-world/

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Vanessa Hudgens: Limousine Lady

Fresh off of a fun-filled night in Sin CIty, Vanessa Hudgens was spotted making her grand arrival back home in Studio City, CA on Sunday afternoon (March 27).

Decked out in a grey and white tie-dye maxi dress and cute brown jacket, the 22-year-old actress toted her camel Chanel handbag as she and a gal pal hopped out of their stretch limousine transport to head into the west coast abode.

The arrival back in Studio City comes after Miss Hudgens spent the previous night holding court at a "Sucker Punch" party at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas - at which she was joined by her dedicated mother, Gina.

With good reason to celebrate, Vanessa's just-released fantasy flick did quite well for itself at the box office by landing in second place with earnings of approximately $20 million.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/vanessa-hudgens/vanessa-hudgens-limousine-lady-491568

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