'The Hunger Games': Jennifer Lawrence had no idea she was famous until she was charged with Whole Foods
Although Jennifer Lawrence had a fledgling acting career before being cast in The Hunger Games, playing Katniss Everdeen really changed her life. Before playing the girl on fire, Lawrence was used to starring in small, independent projects. Although she was somewhat known in the entertainment industry to directors, casting directors, and producers, The Hunger Games was just her second major project and she definitely took some getting used to.
In fact, Lawrence almost turned down the role of Katniss after she was offered the role of her due to the size of the film. Although she loved her character and her story, she was not comfortable with being part of a movie that was so popular. It wasn't until her mother called her a hypocrite that she decided to accept her role. Of course, playing a role that so many people knew was a challenge. Lawrence was particularly surprised by the reaction she received from fans.
Jennifer Lawrence didn't realize how famous she had become after being cast in 'The Hunger Games'
Although Lawrence knew how popular the Hunger Games books were before she was cast in the movies, she didn't realize that her level of fame had changed until the movie was released. In fact, Lawrence decided to do some shopping on the day the movie was released, and the results were pretty disastrous.
"Literally the day the movie was released, I had no idea that I was famous yet or that someone had seen the movie," Lawrence reminded CNN of the day The Hunger Games was released. "I don't think he really knew the movie came out that day." Lawrence went on to say that she was at Whole Foods when she was finally faced with the scope of her celebrity status. Suddenly, she was invaded by hordes of people waiting to talk to her, get a picture of her, or an autograph. Things got so out of hand that Whole Foods "had to call the police and I had to go down the freight elevator and I was crying."
Lawrence had an intense reaction to being approached at Whole Foods
To make matters even more intense, Lawrence ran into her ex-boyfriend after her issue with Whole Foods. At the time, she was so overwhelmed by her instant fame that she had brought him The Hunger Games that she could only see the negatives. "And I saw my ex-boyfriend there and he said, 'How is your life?' And I was like, 'Really bad. It was the worst, ”the actor recalled.
Fortunately, those feelings didn't last forever for Lawrence. Over time, she learned to navigate the fame that the Hunger Games movies brought her. "Sometimes I'm nice, sometimes I'm in a bad mood," Lawrence once said of how she reacted to fans. “For example, if I'm having dinner and lunch and someone wants me to get up and take a picture, that actually helped with my anxiety, knowing that I don't have to say yes and that I can say no. … It's difficult because you don't want to feel rude, but at the same time, I have to defend my life and my mental well-being ”.
The 'Hunger Games' student has learned to navigate her fame
It's great that Lawrence has learned to set limits for herself when it comes to interactions with fans. Since her fame from the Hunger Games franchise had waned significantly, we imagine those extreme encounters have waned as well. But, considering her growing resume, we doubt she will experience what it's like not to be famous anytime soon.
