Natalie Portman has broken her long held rule of not responding to Internet gossip to blast rampant rumors that she is having an affair with the very married — albeit separated — Sean Penn.

“Sean Penn is a friend and colleague. The reports that we are romantically involved are completely untrue,” the star of The Other Boleyn Girl said in a statment to Extra Friday. “I normally do not respond to rumors about my private life, however, this repeatedly fabricated story has forced me to do so.”