Names and faces

— Benjamin Millepied, the Black Swan choreographer who helped transform Natalie Portman into an obsessed, paranoid ballerina for the film and later married the actress, was named director of the Paris Opera Ballet on Thursday. Millepied,35, is a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet who left in 2011 to create his own dance company in Los Angeles, L.A. Dance Project. He’ll start at the Paris company in October 2014, when the current dance director, Brigitte Lefevre, retires. Portman and Millepied, who have a son, met during the making of Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller that stars Portman as a ballet dancer. Portman won the best-actress Academy Award for her performance in the movie. Millepied is known for his innovative work outside classical ballet, and his latest project in Los Angeles has its roots in contemporary dance. The Paris Opera Ballet, founded in the days of Louis XIV, is the oldest ballet company in the world and is known for its respect, bordering on reverence, for traditional repertory. “I will keep the things that seem strong and solid, and I have the chance to rethink certain other things,” Millepied told the Figaro newspaper in an interview Thursday. The appointment of Millepied - who has no formal ties to the Paris Opera Ballet - was remarkable, experts said. “It’s unusual that someone would come from the outside to run the company,” said Wendy Perron, editor of Dance Magazine in New York. “He has to find his own way between contemporary innovations and the traditions there.”

Michael Buble has something new to sing about: becoming a father. In an online video posted Thursday by the Yo u Tu b e account of Buble’s wife, Luisana Lopilato, a sonogram with the words “Mini Buble!!!” is shown. The 20-second video ends up with words: “We’re having a baby Buble!!!!” The 37-year-old Canadian singer and his 25-year-old Argentine actress-wife were married in 2011. The couple met in 2009 during a South American concert tour. A representative for Buble confirmed that the couple is expecting. Buble is a Grammy-winning pop singer who has sold millions of albums, including Crazy Love and 2011’s Christmas. Lopilato made her name as a model, and in Argentine sitcoms and soap operas.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 01/25/2013

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