Natalie Portman says she ‘didn’t mean to shame’ Jessica Simpson over bikini comments

Natalie publicly apologised under an Instagram post Jessica uploaded calling her out.

A bit of a rift between Jessica Simpson and Natalie Portman has come to light following recent comments Natalie made in relation to Jessica's bikini-clad body. Indeed, the Black Swan actress has gotten herself into a bit of hot water for conflating Jessica Simpson's swimsuit attire with sexual licentiousness. The remarks were made during an interview with USA Today for her new film Vox Lux. Portman spoke about how sexuality often influences the music industry and said:

"I remember being a teenager, and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine saying ‘I’m a virgin’ while wearing a bikini, and I was confused. Like, I don’t know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl."

Since the interview emerged, Jessica published a message on Instagram saying she was "disappointed" by Natalie's comments. The thirty-eight-year-old Employee of the Month actress continued:

"As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in. However, I was taught to be myself and honor the different ways all women express themselves, which is why I believed then - and I believe now - that being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex."

Natalie commented under the post saying:

"I completely agree with you that a woman should be allowed to dress however she likes and behave however she likes and not be judged", Portman wrote in a comment. I only meant to say I was confused - as a girl coming of age in the public eye around the same time by the media's mixed messages about how girls and women were supposed to behave."

She also apologised for any hurt that her comments caused and insisted that wasn't her intention. One person commented probably the most reasoned response to the controversy. Addressing Natalie she said:

"What you said came out wromg girl. The way you said it like you are blaming her for your confusion. Also like you can't be in a bikini and be a virgin. We get what you were trying to do but that's not what it came out like. Also you didn't need to use her name to make a statment."

Fair.