The Hollywood actress made a poignant speech at last night’s ELLE’s Women in Hollywood event.
The Harvey Weinstein scandal came up, but it was Jennifer’s description of a rather traumatic experience of her own, by a female producer, that had jaws dropping and folks feeling outraged.
The 27-year-old actress didn’t name the film, but she recounted how early in her career she was made feel humiliated during the initial line-up stage of a movie.
“One girl before me had already been fired for not losing enough weight fast enough, and during this time, a female producer had me do a nude line-up with about five women who were much, much thinner than me.
“We all stood side-by-side with only paste-ons covering our privates.”
Jennifer was then told by the producer she should use the naked photos of herself as ‘inspiration’ for her diet – she was to lose 15 pounds in two weeks. According to ELLE, the actress described the experience as “degrading and humiliating.”
But wait, it gets worse. After being utterly mortified and being made felt small, and as though she was the problem, Jennifer said she went in search of a different producer working on the film to complain about the ridiculous diet regime.
She found one, and he told her that the diet indeed was silly, and that she was perfectly “fuckable.”
Jennifer gave the audience further insight into how Hollywood and various businesses work. These people who abuse power don’t get caught because the person at the bottom is likely to have their career damaged or even finished.
“I couldn’t have gotten a producer or director head fired. I let myself be treated a certain way because I felt like I had to for my career.”
“I didn’t want to be a whistle-blower. I didn’t want these embarrassing stories… I just wanted a career.”
Things changed when The Hunger Games came along which saw Lawrence rise to Hollywood stardom and become a household name. In this case, Jennifer claims she had more power to say no to things she didn’t want to do, now that she was a much sought after and well-known actor.
“I worked out every day because Katniss is strong, I would be damned if I was going to represent the ideal that someone who looks skeletal is a positive body image.”
Jennifer went on to ensure anyone in the same position she was in or similar should “know we’re here for you” and that everybody should be treated with the “exact same level of respect.”
You said it Jennifer!!
