Natalie Portman Breaks Silence on Romance With Musician Tanguy Destable After Welcoming Baby: “If It’s Not That, I’m Not Spending My Time There”

Natalie Portman smiling in black

Oscar winner Natalie Portman has candidly lifted the lid on her romance with French musician Tanguy Destable, revealing an uncompromising philosophy towards romantic partnerships following the birth of their first child together in August. At 45, the actress insists that navigating romance as an adult strips away unnecessary complications, establishing a zero-tolerance boundary for anything that lacks genuine warmth.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar during American artist Joan Snyder’s solo exhibition in France, the star confirmed that romantic stability in midlife requires an intentional, grounded mindset. Her relationship with Destable, widely recognised in the music industry by his stage moniker Tepr, marks a joyous new chapter following a heavily scrutinised transition in her private world.

The candid revelation validates months of public interest surrounding her blended family, offering a rare glimpse into how the Hollywood icon protects her emotional peace.

“That’s All That Matters”: A No-Nonsense Formula for Loving as an Adult

When asked directly whether entering a partnership as a fully formed adult feels fundamentally distinct and positive, the actress gave an immediate, unequivocal endorsement: “Yeah.”

Natalie Portman in a blue dress

Reflecting on Joan Snyder’s artwork—where the octogenarian painter unabashedly centred her creations around deep affection for her grandson—Portman identified a refreshing clarity that mirrors her own outlook on life.

“I was thinking, ‘That’s what a bada** woman who’s been around is like: Guess what? The most important thing is love. And I’m not embarrassed to say it,'” she explained. She articulated a straightforward standard for her domestic life with Destable:

• Uncomplicated kindness: Prioritising mutual respect and shared humour above external noise.
• Strict personal boundaries: Refusing to commit energy to unfulfilling or volatile interactions.
• Perspective through maturity: Embracing the freedom of knowing precisely what matters with age.

“I do feel like it’s so simple, just being kind and loving and being able to laugh,” she noted. “That’s all that matters. That’s the joy of being this age. If it’s not that, I’m not spending my time there.”

Blended Family Life and the Joy of a New Arrival

The arrival of their baby in August has also reframed Portman’s maternal perspective across her household. The actress described feeling “full of wonder and joy at this magical little human.”

Tanguy Destable playing piano

Crucially, caring for a newborn has cast a profound spotlight on her existing parenting journey with her elder children. Portman shares two children with her former husband, French choreographer Benjamin Millepied: son Aleph, born in June 2011, and daughter Amalia, born in February 2017.

She explained how holding an infant rekindles appreciation for the rapid speed of childhood development.

A Reawakened Perspective on Motherhood

“It gives me a whole new attention to my big kids too, as I am reminded of how recently they were these little fresh creations,” she reflected. “And how quickly they’ve blossomed into incredible humans with their own amazing personalities and senses of humour and ideas.”

Portman and Millepied separated in 2023, concluding their divorce proceedings in 2024 after more than a decade together. She subsequently confirmed her partnership with Tanguy Destable to People in March 2025, firmly turning the page towards a simpler, grounded chapter.

Natalie Portman on her birthday

The screen star’s refusal to compromise her contentment underscores a broader cultural shift towards emotional boundary-setting in midlife relationships.

💡 Navigating life reinventions after major life transitions takes resilience, humour, and intentional focus on the people who bring genuine light into your space.

🔍 Portman’s straightforward rule—if it isn’t kind, loving, and full of laughter, it simply isn’t worth the time—offers a sharp blueprint for anyone reassessing their priorities.

👇 Does romantic partnership become significantly simpler and healthier as you get older? Share your thoughts and personal insights in the comments below.

Source: www.instyle.com