Pregnant Natalie Portman to give Oscars a miss

Los Angeles [USA], Feb. 26 (ANI): Citing her pregnancy, the leading lady of 'Jackie' - and multiple best actress nominee - Natalie Portman said she is not attending the upcoming prestigious Academy Awards. Wishing luck to her fellow nominees, the 35-year-old said, "Due to my pregnancy, I am unable to attend the Independent Spirit Awards and the Academy Awards," reports People.com. The actress, who is expecting her second child with French choreographer Benjamin Millepied, has been nominated for her portrayal as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the biopic 'Jackie'. It can be noted that the actress had won Oscars for best actress for 'Black Swan', five years ago, when she was pregnant with her first child. Talking about the nominations for best actress category, talented beauties like Isabelle Huppert (Elle), Ruth Negga (Loving), Natalie Portman (Jackie), Emma Stone (La La Land) and Meryl Streep (Florence Foster Jenkins) are in the league. Dev Patel, who rose to fame with 'Slumdog Millionaire', is also nominated in the best supporting actor category for his portrayal in 'Lion'. (ANI)