Serena
Her third collaboration with Bradley Cooper, following the David O.Russell double-whammy of The Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle , Lawrence’s next major non-franchise release is Serena .
Based on the novel by Ron Rash, the story follows a couple in Depression-era North Carolina and their struggle to start a family amidst his burgeoning timber business.
Lawrence bagged the titular role of Serena Pemberton, a barren woman who turns to the dark side. Shot over two years ago, her performance is rumoured to be rather harrowing. Is another Oscar nod on the cards?
Joshing With Hutcherson
The sheer quantity of blogs, editorials and GIFs (more on that later) dedicated to Lawrence’s goofy wit stand as testament to her massive likeability.
Her camaraderie with The Hunger Games co-star Josh Hutcherson, known to fans as fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, confirms her as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars we’d all quite like to go for a pint with.
The rapport between the two consists of sly jabs, mocking each other mercilessly on-set and during live interviews. Unable to suppress her natural instinct to take the mickey, in the midst of an interview with ET she responds to a question about their on-screen chemistry by referring to Hutcherson’s menstrual cycle - before admitting to being awe-struck after meeting Taylor Swift.
However, her best dig came when Hutcherson answered questions on the red carpet with E! Online - only to be videobombed by Lawrence who embarrasses the poor lad by asking “Is your rash doing okay?”
Diets
Ever the iconoclast, and never fearful of telling it like it is, Lawrence’s opinion of standards imposed on women in the industry was frankly addressed during an interview with Harpers :
“I was young. It was just the kind of s–t that actresses have to go through. Somebody told me I was fat, that I was going to get fired if I didn’t lose a certain amount of weight. They brought in pictures of me where I was basically naked, and told me to use them as motivation for my diet.”
“I was hurt. It doesn’t matter what accolades you get. I know it’ll never happen to me again. If anybody even tries to whisper the word “diet”, I’m like, ‘You can go f**k yourself.’”
Starstruck
In the movie industry for a mere smattering of years, the 23-year old is no stranger to grappling with awe when in the vicinity of fellow stars.
“He was at a party, and I turned into a perverted guy,” she told talk-show host Conan O’Brien on her stalking of John Stamos. “I was like following him into rooms and staring at his ass…He asked me if I was on mushrooms and I said, ‘No. I’m dead sober. This is just me.’”
At the Oscars, a veritable who’s who of high-ranking artists from every oeuvre of creativity, she was struck with another bout, revealed to Jimmy Kimmel on his show:
“Adele was at the next table over. And I had such a high fever, and I felt like I couldn’t move, and I saw Adele, and there was nobody in the way…And I just reached my arm out and went, ‘Hi, uh—’ [Falls over.] And my dad goes, ‘What? Jen? What’s the matter?’ And I was like, ‘Iwuzjustalkadele.’”
Like Crazy
This tale of star-crossed lovers parted by the Atlantic (and the red-tape of U.S. immigration) reunited Jen with her The Beaver co-star Anton Yelchin. While it is a supporting role, Yelchin’s lover while his girlfriend languishes for him back in Blighty, she’s never been more captivating.
The largely-improvised dialogue and free-flowing scenes are where Lawrence excels - a dusky beauty chugging down beers watching live music with her beau, one such example.
She’ll be onscreen for a matter of moments before you’ll find yourself wondering, why didn’t he stay with her again?
Dumb And Dumber To
‘Fessing up to a barrage of films she can quote verbatim, she stole a piece of our collective film buff hearts when casually mentioning the fact to Jimmy Fallon.
She went on to list Dumb And Dumber , Anchorman and Step Brothers as a few of her favourite comedies she can recite word-for-word. This reveal played out in her favour nabbing her a coveted cameo in the up-and-coming Dumb And Dumber To sequel, shot during a break in filming for Mockingjay .
Will You Be A Hot Dancer?
For a lot of celebrities, there reaches a point in their careers when the next obvious step is to take part in a star-searching reality show. It’s unlikely Jennifer will ever be faced with appearing on So You Think You Can Dance? :
“I’m a horrible dancer! I’m like a dad at prom. I look like Gumby getting electrocuted.”
Pull the other one! We’ve seen The Silver Linings Playbook .
Self-deprecating humour however, now we do love a bit of that.
The Beaver
A small-yet-pivotal role in Jodie Foster’s The Beaver , a part she secured when Foster viewed a chunk of unedited footage from Winter’s Bone , continued to confirm her status as hot property.
As Norah, the love interest of Anton Yelchin’s Porter, she helps him to realise that his dad (who has taken to speaking through a beaver hand puppet) is still his family and he should man up and accept it.
The House At The End Of The Street
Horror-thriller The House At The End Of The Street now seems like an unusual choice for the indie queen, whose persona was borne from intimate character-driven dramas.
Propriety be damned, she’s got the chops and physicality to nail the role of new girl in town, Elissa, who unravels the bizarre goings-on at a nearby abode.
It’s the moment when she straps on a guitar and belts out a song for her new buddies - albeit lip syncing - that audiences came over all swoon-struck. And she’s really rather lovely in a white vest.
Prepping For Mockingjay
She’s really funny. The evidence is all around us.
In particular this quote snagged from an interview at Comic-Con 2013 when asked of her preparation for the final instalment of The Hunger Games :
“I’m about to read the third book again. I’d like to refresh. Or, I’ve just never read it. I’m going to get the audio tapes.”
Queen GIF
Legions of JLaw fans the world over pay tribute to the actress, not by tattooing her onto their biceps, or penning gushing fan mail - they create GIFs.
Stitching together video stills to form an animated image, GIFs have become an internet go-to for setting moments loose unto the world that often go viral.
Our favourite, a still from which is featured above, involved a spot of photoshop magic. Incorporating Lawrence into MGM’s credit emblem, her roaring snarl and golden mane replace the traditional MGM lion.
Lawrence’s following have captured hundreds more of her amusing outbursts. Search for Jennifer Lawrence GIFs and be amazed.
The Poker House
During her stint on The Bill Engvall Show , in which she played his daughter Lauren, Lawrence took time out to film The Poker House . A gritty flick, she embodied a young lass tasked with taking care of her family while her dubious mother (Selma Blair) brings home the bacon from prostitution.
In her stand-out scene, wielding a handgun, Lawrence’s undoubted skills shine as she confronts her mother and the man who raped her. In what could have been a showy, shouty exchange she handles it like a seasoned professional - a glimpse of what lay ahead.
Early Esquire
Before Katniss Everdeen became a household name, before JLaw worked its way into the common vernacular, Lawrence was an up-and-coming actress with Sundance hit, Winter’s Bone , to her name.
This was way back in 2010 when the actress also embarked on her first interview for Esquire - along with a steamy photo shoot. Proving herself as not only beautiful (“I’m excited to be seen as sexy, but not slutty”), but talented to boot with a self-awareness seldom witnessed in rising stars.
Of course, we love the piece as its one of the first noted occurrences documenting her love of food: “I’m freakish about breakfast. You’re not gonna order fruit or anything are you?” she asks her interviewer, before ordering a hearty portion of Eggs Benedict.
Photobombing
Leaping about behind an unsuspecting Sarah Jessica Parker on the Met Gala red carpet, Lawrence popped her best static jazz hands and open-mouthed comedy gape for one of last year’s best photobombs.
Taking a shine to the sneaky artform, she went on to videobomb Taylor Swift during an introductory interview at the 2014 Golden Globes. Brilliant.
The Burning Plain
Babel writer Guillermo Arriaga’s first directorial effort, The Burning Plain , cast Jennifer as a teenager struggling with the knowledge of a secret hidden by her mother (Kim Basinger.)
The film itself - a narrative mobius strip, typical of Arriaga’s earlier work - failed to ignite critical acclaim, Lawrence’s performance as the younger version of Charlize Theron’s Sylvia however made the world stand up and take note. She went on to bag the Best Emerging Actress award at Venice for her efforts. Brava!
Wardrobe
Humble pie has never been wolfed down with such good humour. In what’s probably the 900th example of JLaw’s propensity for truthful banter, she batted away the very idea of ‘fashion icon’ status to Entertainment Tonight:
“I would call myself somebody who gets dressed by professionals. It's like, ‘Dance, monkey, dance’ right on the red carpet.’ I would call me more of a monkey.”
A monkey who looks rather splendid in practically anything she wears.
Looking Forward
One reporter asked the dazed starlet after her Oscar win, do you think you’ve peaked too soon? Quick as a whip she spat out a brilliantly self-aware retort. But what of her acting future?
During a chat with Interview magazine, she revealed a passion for new pastures - a strong indicator that we’ve not seen the last of JLaw’s Oscar noms...
“I want to play a character I’ve never been before-a crazy serial killer like Charlize Theron in Monster. I’d love to have to shave my head.” Interview on pushing herself.
We’d pay to watch the charismatic lass read from a phone book to be honest, so the thought of even meatier, darker roles makes us a bit weak at the knees.
Acting
All that talent, acknowledged with countless awards and a preponderance of GIFs - surely, we could have had that? You know, if we’d gone to drama school and forked out on acting coaches.
Well, no, it seems we wouldn’t. The three-times Academy Award nominee and owner of one shiny Oscar statuette, hasn’t had one acting lesson. Ever. Her technique for wringing out stellar performances, one after another?
"I don't know, I've always studied people and been fascinated by their reactions and feelings. And I think that's the best acting class you can take -- watching real people, listening to them and studying them."
Time 100
TIME magazine’s annual list which recognises "the 100 most influential people in the world, from artists and leaders to pioneers, titans and icons” is a prestigious honour for any person lucky enough to find themselves included.
In 2013, Lawrence found herself listed. Her entry was penned by none other than The Beaver director Jodie Foster, who describes the actress with relish:
“The good news is that Jen, her good-humored, ballsy, free-spirited alter ego with the husky voice and a propensity for junk food … Jen, the spritely tomboy from Kentucky — that Jen’s got it together. A hoot. A gem. A gem with a killer stare.”
Nomination Reaction
We’re so used to seeing the awe-induced visages of Hollywood’s talent as their names are called out at countless awards ceremonies. We’re a little less used to behind-the-scenes peeks at their reactions upon hearing they’re on the shortlist.
The above pic, snapped by a family friend, was taken of Lawrence, her family and her boyfriend the moment it was announced she’d been nominated for the Best Actress Oscar in 2011.
She later described her expression as “like I’m being sent off to jail.” Kitted out in her pyjamas and a cardi - it's still her proud mum who steals the pic.
Volunteering As Tribute
The lynchpin moment in Katniss’ journey comes when she offers herself up to Panem for The Hunger Games, taking the place of her younger sister, Primrose.
Emerging from the crowds gathered for the annual Reaping - when those unfortunate names are selected to battle - her voice cracks as she screams those now-infamous words “I volunteer as tribute!” ushering in a new era of selfless, kick-ass actionistas.
Dior
A surefire sign of having nuzzled your way firmly into the public’s heart is hearing the knock of a world-class designer at your trailer door.
Fashion house Dior enrolled her into several campaigns since she signed with them in 2012, demonstrating her classical looks across a variety of staggered shoots.
However, it’s the most recent batch of photos that’re the best of the bunch snapped so far. Accenting her newly-shorn hair, with minimal makeup, she does tomboy sexy pretty damn well - so much so, they’ve signed her up for another three years.
Home For Christmas
Home in her native Louisville for the holidays, Lawrence stopped by Kosair Children’s Hospital on December 22nd last year to hang out with the youngsters spending Christmas in hospital.
On a time out from shooting the third Hunger Games film, Mockingjay , she spread some well-needed holiday cheer to staff and patients alike who all gathered together for a series of photos with the actress.
What a gal.
Feeling Blue
Cast in not one, but two major blockbuster franchises, the call of the mutants saw Lawrence adopting a new kind of method - remaining chipper while hours of full body prosthetics were applied - for her role as Mystique in X-Men: First Class .
“I had a theory of when I was really tired, when I was on my seventh hour, why didn't you just dip me in a bath tub of blue?" she quipped.
Her ‘Mutant and proud’ mantra uttered during one of several moments in the film when she slips into her Mystique persona is nothing short of mesmerising.
The Barbara Walters Interview
Veteran interviewer Barbara Walters has a sterling reputation for selecting the creme-de-la-creme of the celebrity community to participate in a chinwag. This time, as part of her “The 10 most fascinating people of 2013” it should come as no surprise that Lawrence was chosen.
Taking it as an opportunity to broach topics close to her heart, Jennifer opted to talk of the injustices surrounding Hollywood’s impossible standards on women:
“Why is humiliating people funny? I get it, and, and I do it too, we all do it. But when it comes to the media, the media needs to take responsibility for the effect that it has on our younger generation. And the world fat, I just think it should be illegal to call somebody fat on TV.
I mean, if we’re regulating cigarettes and sex and cuss words, because of the effect they have on our younger generation, why aren’t we regulating things like calling people fat?”
Paparazzi Potter
Potter mania afflicted millions the world over - one of whom, was none other than J-Law herself.
During an interview with Jimmy Fallon, she dished the details of a heated first-class cabin debate concerning Hogwarts. She later elaborated on her love of Potter further with EW , discussing her Voldemortian tactics used to avoid paparazzi:
“I wrap myself up to look like Lord Voldemort so that they can’t see anything because the thought of giving them a picture that will make them money absolutely infuriates me.”
How many times can we shriek with glee that she’s just a big a nerd as the rest of us?
The Hunger Heroine
Move over Lt. Ellen Ripley - the release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and its massive box office haul have transformed Katniss Everdeen into the highest-grossing action heroine of all time.
Lawrence’s performance in The Hunger Games franchise has marked a return to the bad-ass blockbustin’ methods of women. The second flick smashed box office records with the highest Thanksgiving opening ever - raking in a lip-wobbling $110 million over its debut weekend.
Combine that with the first film, and to date they’ve brought in a staggering $1.5 billion to date worldwide. And that’s with the release of only two instalments, just in case you weren’t sure.
The Mockingjay
Entertaining the notion of your wedding day being remembered for the bride’s gown engulfed in flames would have most women foaming at the mouth, possibly in an attempt to put it out.
For Katniss, one of her strongest moments comes in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire , when designer Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) fashions her a scintillating gown, complete with switch-on-flammability for that extra razzle dazzle.
It’s here, spinning before an adoring crowd, the whiff of singed ankle hair in the air, that her Mockingjay persona is beautifully unveiled.
Honesty
“I like the financial security because I know how hard it is for so many people who struggle to earn a living. I’m grateful I don’t have to worry about money and I can live very freely and do something I love and get paid very well to do it. I tell my friends to slap me if they ever think I’m getting full of myself," she told The Mirror .
It’s not common for actors to acknowledge the financial side of their success, while there are MANY who pay it forward through charitable donations, foundations and other forms of aid, it still makes for a refreshing change to hear that yes, it is quite nice not struggling to pay your rent.
Mastering The Unusual Arts
The majority of prep for the franchises she’s central to; The Hunger Games , X-Men , largely involves a ton of physical workouts and donning a mammoth amount of make-up.
For her breakout role in Winter’s Bone , an unorthodox challenge lay ahead...
She had to skin a squirrel. For real.
Recalling the shoot later when interviewed by Rolling Stone , she joked: “I should say it wasn’t real, for PETA. But screw PETA.”
High Culture
JLaw’s fantastic answer to host Ryan Seacrest on the Golden Globes red carpet 2013 proved once again, she’s just like us:
“It’s Dior Haute Couture. I don’t really know what ‘haute’ means but I had to say it.”
Shunning the notion that cinematic celebrity automatically equates to a knowledge of certain associated terms - she’s just telling it like it is.
Film Geek
She’s admitted to a love of food. She’s revealed her toilet habits. It seems no stone is unturned with J-Law. However, there’s nothing that’ll make a film star more relatable to their audience than littering an acceptance speech with movie quotes.
When collecting her People’s Choice Award, she said: “I wish this was like Mean Girls and I could just break this up and throw it at all of you!”
Not even that trumped her Golden Globe win, when she hugged her statuette proclaiming “I beat Meryl!” - for those in the know, this was a direct line-quote of Bette Midler’s from 1996 rom-com The First Wives Club .
Will Work For Food
You could never doubt her commitment to her profession; bringing her A-game to each performance, but it’s her love for what happens after the shoot that commands her attention: eating.
Doing the press circuit for The Silver Linings Playbook , she admitted to an interviewer her motivation for wrapping a scene: “That’s my inspiration in the scene ‘If I get this done, I can go have lunch.’ Because I am an artist.”
Thank God For Me
Her screen time may have been reduced from her previous David O. Russell venture, The Silver Linings Playbook , but her role as the ebullient Rosalyn in American Hustle stole the whole flick.
Harking back to a time when microwaves were the newest craze, Rosalyn’s struggle to understand what’s acceptable for a quick blast results in a melted “science oven.”
It’s the subsequent conversation with husband Irving (Christian Bale) that likely landed her her third Oscar nod. Quick-witted and irritatingly verbose, Lawrence’s naggy housewife is never better than this scene.
First Oscar Nomination
For her performance as rural teen Ree Dolly in Winter's Bone , a 17-year old from the Ozark mountains tasked with holding her family together after her methhead dad departs, Lawrence snagged her first Academy Award nomination.
At the time the second-youngest person to have received such a nomination - while she didn’t win - it was recognition by the Academy that propelled her into the spotlight. And she was only 20.
Jennifer Lawrence Foundation
Two days before The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hit cinemas worldwide, the actresses’ foundation based in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky held a private screening for fans to help raise money for a local charity.
Held on November 20th, fans were not only given the chance to see the flick early but with tickets at $125, Lawrence raised $40,000 for her chosen non-profit, St Mary’s Center.
Working Out
She’s made no bones about having a normal appetite, and none about the tricky beast we’ve all got a love-hate relationship with: exercise.
“I hate saying, ‘I like exercising’ — I want to punch people who say that,” she told People magazine.
While it comes as no surprise that a punishing fitness regime was a part of her training for The Hunger Games , it didn’t mean she had to like it! Asked by an interviewer following the film’s release about her workout routine, she responded: “Umm... for the film? I thought you meant today. I was like ‘I ate French fries and laid in bed till three.’”
Fans
The dazzling lights and hordes screaming her name didn’t distract the actress from what truly matters at the UK premiere of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire .
Moving aside the red carpet barriers, Lawrence consoled crying fan Jessica Hambly, who’d traveled to London with the help of charity Starlight Children’s Foundation, in the hopes of catching a glimpse at the stars of her favourite film.
Cameras captured the tender moment, as Lawrence kneeled to talk, laugh and hug the 15-year old girl then pose for a photo. A humble gesture of kindness and consideration nudged her a bit further into our hearts - and sprang a few tears to boot.
Catching Fire - Victors Tour
Everyone recalls the blubbering mess they became watching Rue’s death in the first Hunger Games, but that’s not a patch on the tear-jerking machinations brought on by Katniss’ heart-wrenching speech as she and Peeta embark on the Victor’s Tour.
Addressing the District 11 crowd, home to Rue, she delivers a bittersweet declaration against her advisor’s wishes that kickstarts the Mockingjay call in the throngs of citizens. And a load of sobbing cinemagoers.
Tiffanys Sports Statistics
Towards the final act of The Silver Linings Playbook , under the gun from her new friend Pat’s dad (Robert De Niro), who blames her for the bad luck suffered by his football team, Lawrence steals the scene. She recounts every date she and Pat had - and how the Giants fared during their games on those specific nights.
It’s a lengthy diatribe and testament to Lawrence’s devotion to Tiffany. Forthright and funny, could this have been the moment the Academy decided to give her the Oscar?...
Red Carpet Fashion
One adjective commonly used to describe Lawrence is candid. There’s no beating about the bush for the actress when she’s chatting - a spade is a spade, often resulting in charming, witty repartee.
This entry is a prime example, as Lawrence was, in typical red carpet tradition, asked what pieces she was wearing. Her response? Pointing to her dress she said “What do you mean? LIke, this is the top... and that’s the bottom.”
Consider us charmed.
Meeting Jeff Bridges
Having already ‘fessed up to being dubbed Jeff Bridges by her mates on account of being a huge fan of The Dude, Lawrence’s nerdy streak knew no bounds when the opportunity presented itself to meet the actor.
Skittishly hopping around Bridges on the red carpet in an adorable videobomb, she politely interrupts an interview to gush about what a huge fan she is.... before being handed the mic to carry out the remainder of the conversation.
Awe-struck, she proceeds to grill Bridges in true fangirl style.
Lip Syncing
As the sexy spouse of Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), Lawrence’s Rosalyn Rosenfeld in American Hustle stomps around the house in her Marigold rubber gloves catching up on chores.
Of course, it’s no ordinary cleaning session. Multi-tasking never looked so damn funny, as Lawrence lip syncs her way through Wings’ Live And Let Die with an earnestness that perfectly captures Rosalyn in a moment we’ve all experienced.
Straight As An Arrow
The first shred of evidence hinting at Katniss’ disdain for The Hunger Games was never more symbolic than the final yank of the bow during her first private training session.
Soaring into the bigwig box, a booth full of the Capitol’s Gamemakers, the arrow ends its journey skewering an apple... wedged in the mouth of a roasted pig.
With the Gamemakers gasping in shock that she dare fire into their area - Katniss takes a bow, adding for good measure a sarcastic “Thank you for your consideration.”
Saturday Night Live
Tackling the hosting duties of the well-loved American institution, Saturday Night Live , days after her Golden Globe win, Lawrence took to the opening monologue with aplomb.
Roasting her fellow Oscar nominees with scathing humour and delivery (“Well, well, well. Look who it is. Jessica Chastain. More like, Jessica Chas-ain’t winning no Oscar on my watch!”), there was no mistaking the fact this gal from Kentucky was on the rise...
Tiffany Loses It
One of her stand-out moments from The Silver Linings Playbook sees her character, Tiffany, on a non-date with Pat (Bradley Cooper). As the pair banter about their respective circumstances over a bowl of raisin bran, things become rather heated when her awkward suitor flounders at social etiquette.
Storming from the diner, Tiffany unleashes a torrent of fiery verbal jabs at him as he chases her down the street, slamming him with a deserved killer one-liner: “I opened up to you, and you judged me!”
The Red Carpet Arches
One of the biggest nights of her life, and she forgot to have her tea. On the 2013 Oscars red carpet, Lawrence opened up to interviewers about her penchant for the golden arches - McDonalds.
Possibly her most endearing quality, that of her unabashed love of grub, she riffed with her hosts (“I’m starving!”) before her assistant dashed off to procure her a burger.
“I forgot to eat because I was so stressed trying to leave the house, and I got in the car and I was starving. The ceremony is four hours long. I got in the car and could see the McDonald's right there,” she told the two interviewers, before interrupting their chat once more to call to her assistant: “Hang on, I didn't say fries. I'm seeing you talk, and all I'm thinking about is me pissed that I didn't get fries. You have to remind them of ketchup because they never include ketchup. You have to ask for it.”
Be still, our beating hearts.
Best Actress
At 22, the second-youngest actress to be awarded the Best Actress Oscar, Lawrence’s win for her role as Tiffany Maxwell in The Silver Linings Playbook shocked no-one more than Lawrence herself.
Upon hearing her name announced inside the Dolby Theatre, she bust out a classic “who me?” face before making her way to the podium... and launching into the now-infamous trip midway up the steps.
Accepting the honour with grace and humility, her trademark comedy chops took centre stage as she addressed the auditorium “You guys are just standing up ‘cause you feel bad that I fell and that’s really embarrassing but thank you.”
After The Win
Faced with a field of reporters eager for a juicy sound bite, was Lawrence intimidated to respond to the world now she’d snagged an Oscar? Was she heck.
In a refreshingly candid series of retorts - she volleyed quips back and forth, showcasing some serious talent for improvised stand-up.
Her confession to necking a shot prior to the press conference has kept a torch burning for her in our hearts ever since...
Here's Jacky!
Following her Oscar win, Jack Nicholson interrupted an interview to congratulate Lawrence on her achievement - producing a genuine shocked gasp from the lass - telling her how much he loved her performance in the movie.
Stepping back from the scene, he nonchalantly let slip that she reminded him of an ex, to which she prompted in a faux-cocksure manner “Do I look like a new girlfriend?” to which he responds amid gallant laughter from all; “I’ve thought about it.”
Lawrence’s response - a combination of total fangirl shock at how truly bonkers her life has become - is nothing short of brilliant.
