Actress Jennifer Lawrence has responded to a whirling social media storm prompted after she was pictured appearing to shiver in a plunging Versace dress at a London press call while her male colleagues were wrapped up in coats.
The Oscar-winning actress, 27, said she was ‘extremely offended’ by the criticism of her decision to wear the barely-there vintage Versace gown on a freezing day as she promoted her latest spy thriller Red Sparrow.
The sight of actors Joel Edgerton, Jeremy Irons, Matthias Schoenaerts and director Francis Lawrence in multiple layers of clothing sparked a mountain of tweets on social media, with many saying the press call photo reveals how Hollywood women are pressured into performing the role of glamorous appendage.
However, an ‘extremely offended’ Lawrence said in an impassioned Facebook riposte to criticism that it was her dedication to couture that saw her disrobe in the cold, explaining: ‘I would have stood in the snow for that dress because I love fashion and that was my choice’.
During the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein sex abuse scandal, Lawrence has become a vocal supporter of the Time’s Up campaign, which aims to fight sexual harassment in Hollywood and the workplace, and showed her support on Sunday evening by wearing a striking black gown at the BAFTAs.
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The Oscar-winning star said she was ‘extremely offended’ by criticism of her decision to go for glamour over comfort during a freezing photocall for her latest film Red Sparrow (pictured from left director Francis Lawrence, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton and Jeremy Irons)
The actress issued a statement on Facebook today, calling calls for her to cover up in London’s freezing weather offensive, saying ‘If I want to be cold that’s my choice too’
The Hunger Games star said that her dedication to vintage couture was at the heart of her decision to don the black Versace dress despite the weather being close to 3 degrees in London. She told followers: ‘Everything you see me wear is my choice’
Backlash: Much of the reaction on social media to the image focused on the disparity between Lawrence’s glamour and her male colleagues’ warmer outfits
Others argued on Twitter that Lawrence knew exactly what she was doing when it came to the fashion statement, with one, @leoalxndr1, saying: ‘JenniferLawrence had a coat. She took it off for a couple press photos, yes she was probably cold but she survived. CALM DOWN’
It’s arctic! The revealing outfit left the Oscar-winning star with plenty of skin exposed, which left many questioning why she hadn’t donned a coat like her male co-stars. Lawrence responded saying: ‘If I want to be cold, that’s my choice!’
After a fevered response to the images, the star wrote on Facebook: ‘Wow. I don’t really know where to get started on this “Jennifer Lawrence wearing a revealing dress in the cold” controversy.
‘This is not only utterly ridiculous, I am extremely offended. That Versace dress was fabulous, you think I’m going to cover that gorgeous dress up with a coat and a scarf? I was outside for 5 minutes. I would have stood in the snow for that dress because I love fashion and that was my choice.’
‘This is sexist, this is ridiculous, this is not feminism. Over- reacting about everything someone says or does, creating controversy over silly innocuous things such as what I choose to wear or not wear, is not moving us forward. It’s creating silly distractions from real issues.
‘Get a grip people. Everything you see me wear is my choice. And if I want to be cold THATS MY CHOICE TOO!’
Leading Women’s rights charity, The Fawcett Society, said earlier today that the new images of the actress, released earlier this week, reveal equality between the sexes in Hollywood and in general is still ‘a long way off’.
Much of the backlash against the photographs, taken on the roof at London’s Corinthia Hotel on the city’s Southbank, revolved around the idea that Lawrence ‘felt pressure’ to appear in a dress for a film photocall – while others suggested that the actress clearly knows her own mind and had chosen what to wear.
Chief Executive of The Fawcett Society, Sam Smethers, told MailOnline: ‘This image sums up what is wrong with the film industry and with wider society.
‘It objectifies rather than respects her for the outstanding actor she is. We truly have a long way to go.’
On Twitter, plenty held the same view. @helwiger60 added: ‘Just reinforces the film industry’s requirement that women be sexy, even if impractical! The picture is really dumb! I’m surprised Jennifer Lawrence didn’t object.’
Others pointed out the photo seemed to highlight the differences in how men and women are treated in Hollywood.
‘This is such a quietly depressing (and revealing) image. Not least because I’ve been outside today and it’s bloody freezing,’ Helen Lewis tweeted.
The Oscar-winning actress stepped out in a revealing ensemble with a daring high split
@emilyjeldridge: ‘Oh my word Jennifer Lawrence, you look freezing, just look at the four guys beside you! Surely this is not an outfit of choice if you weren’t worried about looking sexy for the camera @EverydaySexism’.
And some took the opposing view, suggesting that Lawrence can wear whatever she likes – and did don a coat for some of the shoot.
@EricRobinson00 wrote: ‘I’d imagine a coat was offered and refused…I don’t see Jennifer Lawrence as some wilting violet who’d stand there freezing against her will.’
@leoalxndr1 penned: ‘Can all the feminists sit down and stop making a big deal about something that is completely without issue. #JenniferLawrence had a coat. She took it off for a couple press photos, yes she was probably cold but she survived. CALM DOWN.’
Despite braving the cold snap, Lawrence was spotted wearing an overcoat over her designer dress when she arrived at the photocall
The photograph of the castmates has since divided the internet, with confused fans questioning why the 27-year-old didn’t opt for a coat for the shoot
Another freezing night! On Sunday evening, JLaw braved the British chill again in a stunning bare-shoulders gown as she arrived to present an award at the BAFTAs at London’s Royal Albert Hall
Expectation: Leading Women’s rights charity, the Fawcett Society said the latest images of Lawrence (pictured With Liam Hemsworth, left and Josh Hutcherson, right, in 2015) proved women still ‘have a long way to go’
Hollywood inequality? Jennifer Lawrence, pictured alongside her be-suited male co-stars at Cannes in 2014, has been a keen supporter of the recent Time’s Up campaign
Lawrence pictured in a dramatic transparent gown alongside stars of the Hunger Games in 2013 (Pictured from left: Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland, Josh Hutcherson, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and Stanley Tucci)
Another Twitter user, Kris, chimed in: ‘Did producers provide those coats to the other cast members? Or did she just not want to wear a coat? I don’t understand the issue?’
Lola Whiffen posted: ‘They look embarrassed for her because I’m sure she can afford to buy a coat. I’m sure she knew what the weather was like before she walked out the door. Seriously.’
And Savvy Cat said: ‘She gets to wear Versace for free. In return she models it. Yeah she’s outside. Yeah she’s probably cold but all of us have aspects of our jobs we don’t like. I’m not losing sleep over it. There are worse jobs.’
Despite braving the cold snap, Lawrence was spotted wearing an overcoat over her designer dress when she arrived at the photocall.
In the new film, Lawrence plays a ballerina turned Russian operative, which is an adaptation of the book of the same name.
The film reunites her with Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence, who joined her at the photocall alongside castmates Jeremy Irons, Joel Edgerton and Matthias Schoenaerts.
MailOnline has contacted Jennifer Lawrence for comment.
Red Sparrow is released in UK cinemas on March 1.
