Jennifer Lawrence is rethinking her role in politics.
The Oscar-winning actress, 35, opened up about her evolving views on celebrity activism during a new episode of The Interview podcast with The New York Times’ Lulu Garcia-Navarro, released on November 1.
When asked if she planned to speak out about former President Donald Trump’s second term in office, Lawrence admitted she’s not so sure anymore.
“I don’t really know if I should,” she said. “The first time around was so wild. I remember feeling like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off.”
Lawrence — who has been outspoken about political issues in the past — explained that over time, she’s come to question the real impact of celebrity voices in politics.
“As we’ve learned, election after election, celebrities do not make a difference whatsoever on who people vote for,” she said. “So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s going to add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart.”
The Hunger Games star said her new perspective comes from wanting to protect her creative work — and the audience’s ability to connect with it.
“I don’t want to start turning people off to films and to art that could change consciousness or change the world because they don’t like my political opinions,” she said. “I want to protect my craft so that you can still get lost in what I’m doing.”
Still, Lawrence isn’t walking away from activism altogether. Instead, she’s channeling her energy into storytelling through her production company, Excellent Cadaver, which produces projects that explore social and political issues.
“A lot of movies coming out from my production company are expressions of the political landscape, and that’s how I feel like I can be helpful,” she said, referencing her company’s documentaries Bread and Roses and Zurawski v. Texas.
Experts agree that Lawrence may be right about celebrity influence on voters. Political scientist Amanda Feezell of the University of New Mexico told USA Today that celebrity endorsements “seldom influence voter decisions,” explaining that voting behavior is shaped more by “party affiliation, demographics, and major political events” than by famous figures.
After the interview aired, Lawrence’s comments quickly sparked conversation online.
Some fans applauded her honesty and self-awareness. “She’s being real — not everything needs to be a political statement,” one user posted. Others, however, argued that celebrities have a platform and a responsibility to use it. “With great power comes great responsibility,” one commenter wrote, while another asked whether her decision signaled “a step back from standing up for what’s right.”
Lawrence has never been shy about her opinions. She first voiced concerns about Trump’s political rise back in 2015 during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. More recently, she endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, telling Vogue at the time that “abortion is literally on the ballot.”
Now, the actress says she’s focusing on her art — and letting her work speak for itself.
“I’ve learned that maybe the best way I can contribute,” Lawrence said, “is through storytelling.”
