Jennifer Lawrence breaks her silence over nude photo theft

The Hunger Games star speaks out against the theft and online posting of her nude image in an interview with Vanity Fair

Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence has lifted her cone of silence over the massive theft of nude photos last month, calling it a “sex crime,” a “violation” and calling for change.

The 24-year-old star of the massive Hunger Games franchise took control of the narrative in an interview that will appear in Vanity Fair’s November issue. Coupled with a stunning and provocative photo shoot, Lawrence asserts control of her body, her image and her sexuality in both the interview but especially the accompanying photos.

“It is not a scandal. It is a sex crime,” she says in the interview. “It is a sexual violation. It’s disgusting. The law needs to be changed, and we need to change. That’s why these web sites are responsible.”

Last week reports emerged that an unnamed group of celebrities were suing Google for $100 million (U.S.) over  its role in spreading the images. Lawrence may reveal she’s part of that suit in the interview. Lawrence has become synonymous with the stolen photos, but dozens of other actresses and singers, from Rhianna to Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco were also victimized.

Lawrence tells the magazine she has “nothing to apologize for” and says they were private and intended for her then-boyfriend of four years.

"I don’t have anything to say I’m sorry for… either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he’s going to look at you"

I started to write an apology, but I don’t have anything to say I’m sorry for. 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,” Lawrence said.

The cover story hits the stands the same month as the third installment of the Hunger Games hits theatres — a franchise with plenty of adult fans but that’s targeted at young people. Lawrence admits that despite some racier roles she’s played, she feared for her career when the stolen images hit the web on Labour Day weekend. The story’s author, Vanity Fair contributing editor Sam Kashner, initially met with Lawrence on August 13 but called her to update the piece after the nude photo theft went viral August 31.

“I was just so afraid. I didn’t know how this would affect my career,” Lawrence tells the magazine.

The November issue will hit stands next week but the full interview will be available to subscribers online Wednesday. The magazine offered quite the preview, however, so if there’s more, it’s gotta be good.

Here are five epic J-Law quotes from the preview piece about the theft and women’s control over their bodies and sexuality. 

“It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice, and the fact that it is not my choice is absolutely disgusting. I can’t believe that we even live in that kind of world. ”

“Just the fact that somebody can be sexually exploited and violated, and the first thought that crosses somebody’s mind is to make a profit from it. It’s so beyond me. I just can’t imagine being that detached from humanity.”

“Anybody who looked at those pictures, you’re perpetuating a sexual offense. You should cower with shame. Even people who I know and love say, ‘Oh, yeah, I looked at the pictures.’ I don’t want to get mad, but at the same time I’m thinking, I didn’t tell you that you could look at my naked body.”

“I don’t care how much money I get for The Hunger Games… I promise you, anybody given the choice of that kind of money or having to make a phone call to tell your dad that something like that has happened, it’s not worth it.”

“I’m not crying about it anymore. I can’t be angry anymore. I can’t have my happiness rest on these people being caught, because they might not be. I need to just find my own peace.” (canada.com)