From S Club to Black Swan: Rachel Stevens plays dress up as Natalie Portman's Oscar-nominated role

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By ANDREA MAGRATH

Doppelgänger: Rachel Stevens emulates Natalie Portman in Black Swan, with slightly less dramatic results


It is one of the hottest films of the year and she has been the most-talked about actress during this Awards season.

So when Rachel Stevens was asked to emulate a character in one of the nominated films from the 2011 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTAs), it is unsurprising she would choose Natalie Portman in Black Swan.

Portman is hotly tipped to take home the Best Actress award at both the BAFTAs on Sunday, as well as the coveted Academy award, for her role as ballerina Nina in the psychological thriller.


Copy-cat: The singer dressed up as Portman's Oscar-nominated role to promote the red carpet coverage of the BAFTAs, which she is presenting


But while Rachel certainly suits the part of the prima ballerina in her feathered black tutu, gothic crown and dramatic eye make-up, her take doesn't quite capture the chilling transformation Portman undergoes in the film.

The film, which is also nominated for Best Picture at the BAFTAs, follows Portman's character, who after winning the lead role in Swan Lake, as white swan Odette, begins to lose her mind and becomes more like Odette's evil sister Odile - the black swan.

The 32-year-old played dress-up to announce her role as host of the Orange Wednesdays red carpet at this weekend's awards ceremony.


Outstanding performance: Natalie has already taken home the SAG and Golden Globe awards for Best Actress, and is the frontrunner for the Oscar


Thriller: Portman plays ballerina Nina, who slowly loses her mind after winning the lead in Swan Lake, becoming more like white swan Odette's evil sister Odile - the black swan


Perhaps the new mother was hesitant to go for the terrifying glowing red eyes look for fear of scaring her two-month old baby Amelie.

The former S Club 7 singer was back to her old self for a spot of shopping with Amelie and her husband Alex Bourne over the weekend.

The happy family strolled through the shops in North London, with Rachel swapping her tutu for a casual outfit of a striped top and jeans, jacket and messy bed-head hair.

She browsed in a baby store while Alex, 32, waited with the pram, and selected a cute denim jacket before leaving with her purchase.


Family day out: Rachel was spotted out shopping in London over the weekend with husband Alex and daughter Amelie


Shopping for baby: She picked out a denim jacket inside a baby store, before leaving with her purchase


Rachel, who married Alex in August 2009, has described how attentive he was during her labour on November 16.

'He made me a CD of my favourite songs and massaged me the whole time,' Rachel reveals.

'I wanted it to be as natural as possible and to have lovely music and lotions and potions.'

Describing new motherhood, Stevens told OK!: 'It's a big adjustment. It's such a life-changing thing, but it's so amazing.

'The whole experience is so overwhelming and I can't believe we're Mummy and Daddy - proper grown-up stuff.'


New mother: Rachel gave birth to daughter Amelie on November 16


Stevens also revealed she tried breast-feeding, but has started to wean Amelie already.

She said: 'Amelie was great at it but I found it hard and quite demanding... It was literally like I'd had a boob job overnight. It's amazing.'

Rachel and childhood friend Alex married at Claridge's Hotel in London in August 2009 after dating for two years.


Rachel Stevens Strictly Come Dancing Waltz 29th Nov 082


source: dailymail [endtext]