In a candid revelation, Jennifer Lawrence opens up about the traumatic experience of her photo hacking, labeling it a "sex crime." The actress, featured in Vanity Fair's November issue, details her emotions and the aftermath of the privacy breach.
"I was just so afraid. I didn't know how this would affect my career," Lawrence shares in the cover story, set to release digitally on October 8 and in print on October 9 in New York and Los Angeles.
During her interview with Vanity Fair contributing editor Sam Kashner on August 13, Lawrence had no idea that hackers would steal and post personal photos online by August 31. Kashner, sensing Lawrence's resilience, revisited the interview to provide her with an opportunity to express her perspective.
Reflecting on the incident, the 24-year-old actress expresses anger and emphasizes that being a public figure does not justify such invasions of privacy. "Just because I'm an actress does not mean that I asked for this. It's my body, and it should be my choice," Lawrence asserts, deeming the situation "absolutely disgusting."
The actress, known for her role in the Hunger Games series, discloses her initial hesitation to release a statement, stating, "Every single thing that I tried to write made me cry or get angry." She addresses her relationship and asserts, "I was in a loving, healthy, great relationship for four years. It was long distance, and either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he's going to look at you."
Delving into the legal aspects, Lawrence emphasizes that the incident is not a scandal but a "sex crime" and a "sexual violation." She calls for a change in the law and societal attitudes, condemning websites that profit from such violations. She expresses disbelief at the thoughtlessness and emptiness displayed by those who exploit individuals for profit.
In a powerful message, Lawrence also holds individuals accountable who viewed the images online, stating, "Anybody who looked at those pictures, you're perpetuating a sexual offense. You should cower with shame. I didn't tell you that you could look at my naked body," addressing even those she knows and loves who admitted to viewing the images. The cover story unveils the actress's frustration not only with the hackers but also with a society that, at times, seems indifferent to the gravity of such privacy violations.
