Jennifer Lawrence’s life is about to change on March 23, when the highly anticipated “The Hunger Games” hits theaters, and the 21-year-old actress says she almost didn’t take the role of Katniss Everdeen for fear of the losing her privacy.
“I gave myself three days. I knew from reading the books that I loved ‘The Hunger Games,’ I just didn’t know if it was worth changing my life for,” Jennifer told Glamour magazine of her initial hesitation about signing on for District 12’s beloved tribute. “I’m at a peaceful place right now… Nobody’s staked outside my house. I wanted to make sure that when I said yes, I wouldn’t regret it. And I don’t regret it.
“I would have said no because I was scared, and then I would have been that bitter actress telling my grandkids, ‘I’m the one that turned it down,’” she added.
While Jennifer knows she’ll most likely be under constant scrutiny and followed by photographers after the film hits, she tries to keep the challenges of fame in perspective.
“In some ways, it’s a hard life, but it’s a great professional life,” she told mag. “I’m doing what I love, and then I get months and months of rest. I have a lot of money for a 21-year-old. I can’t stand it when actors complain.”
As for getting in shape for “Hunger Games,” Jennifer refuses to diet, but does exercise – though she doesn’t enjoy it.
“I hate saying, ‘I like exercising.’ I want to punch people who say that in the face,” she said. “But it’s nice being in shape for a movie, because they basically do it all for you. It’s like, ‘Here’s your trainer. This is what you can eat.’
“I don’t diet. I do exercise! But I don’t diet,” she added. “You can’t work when you’re hungry, you know?”
For the full interview with Jennifer, pick up a copy of Glamour’s April 2012 issue – available on newsstands on March 6.
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