Self-proclaimed vegan Natalie Portman has teamed up with shoe extrodinaire té casan to create a line of shoes that are completely animal-free. The line will debut in stores in February and pre-orders are available on the shoe company’s site starting January 15. Five percent of the profits will go to charity.

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Natalie on trusting her gut:

“I’ve always been something of a pleaser: I want to make other people happy. That’s not the worst thing. I mean, the fact that you like people and want them to like you is great — as long as you’re not sacrificing who you are. I’m not someone who has a lot of regrets, but last year I did something that I wasn’t comfortable with, and I’m really sorry I didn’t listen to my intuition. There was a scene in a movie that felt inappropriate for me, but I didn’t want to make waves. So I let myself get talked into it, even though it shook me up. From now on, I’m going to trust my gut more. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is say “no.” No matter how much you plan and how hard you try, you can’t predict the outcome of things. I’m always surprised by what people end up talking about. There have been times when I’ve put my best effort into my work and had great success. Other times, I have tried just as hard, and it hasn’t worked out. I realize now that the only thing in my control is my own behavior, not other people’s reactions.”

Natalie on her If-It’s-Not-Working-Change-It philosophy:

“My family came here from Israel when I was 3, and at first we moved around a lot. I got really good at figuring out a situation and diving in. I was the cool new kid; I never doubted myself. Actually, I was probably kind of arrogant. Then, the summer after seventh grade, I shot my first movie, The Professional. Looking back, I realize that I might not have been that sensitive when I told people about it, and it came off as bragging. I was going to a small private school, and the other kids completely turned against me. No one would talk to me. I was so miserable that I had to change schools. But it made me think about how what I say affects other people, and I corrected my bravado. My dad helped me so much with this. He’s a doctor, and he’s really amazing. He’s one of those rare people who will actually change his opinions or his behavior if it’s hurting someone else. It was remarkable to learn that from him.”

Natalie on her trip to Africa:

“When I was in Uganda with FINCA recently, I met a young woman whose parents had died of AIDS. She was completely alone, taking care of her brothers and sisters. They were all living in one room; they had absolutely nothing. Everyone was talking down to her, but when we asked what she wanted, her answer amazed me. While 50 cents more a day would have totally revolutionized their lives, she looked at us and said in a clear, strong voice: “My brothers and sisters deserve the same chances you’ve had. I want them all to go to boarding school.” She didn’t want a handout. She knew that her family had a right to the same opportunities as everyone else. It was incredibly inspiring. I know that I’m the luckiest person in the world, but I still have so much to learn. That woman, who had not been given any chances in life, reminded me to always keep my own worth in mind.”

Natalie Portman insists she’ll never bare all on the big screen again after regretting a saucy scene in new short film “Hotel Chevalier.” The shots of the actress baring all in the film hit the internet earlier this year - months before the movie hit festivals in September.

And Portman admits she’s rather upset about agreeing to do something she felt awkward about in the Wes Anderson-directed prelude to The Darjeeling Limited.

She says, “I’m really sorry I didn’t listen to my intuition. From now on, I’m going to trust my gut more. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is say no.”

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Natalie Portman has signed on to star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Tobey Maguire in the love-triangle drama Brothers. Based on a 2004 Danish-language film, the story centers on a man (Maguire) who is sent to fight in Afghanistan while his black-sheep brother (Gyllenhaal) cares for his wife (Portman). David Benioff, husband of Amanda Peet, is penning the remake. Portman will appear in the upcoming films Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, The Other Boleyn Girl, and My Blueberry Nights.

This sounds interesting.