After years of evading social media presence, Jennifer Lawrence has finally joined Instagram.
But her entry to the most popular photo-sharing online platform comes with a warning – “If anyone says anything negative, I will quit immediately.”
“The Hunger Games” star launched her verified Instagram account @jlaw Wednesday, September 9, with a 22-second reel of herself urging kindness from the public posted on it the following day.
“So yeah, I’m giving it a shot, and if anyone says anything negative, I will quit immediately,” Jennifer said. “No questions asked.”
She reiterated: “If anyone thinks something mean, I’ll know, and I’ll quit.”
As of press time, the video has garnered more than 43.4 million views, while Jennifer’s followers stand at nearly six million already.
In her bio, the 36-year-old actress wrote a brief explanation for her username.
“Jenniferlawrence was taken,” it reads.
Welcome, Jennifer
The Instagram world was quick to welcome the Hollywood talent, with her supporters and fellow artists expressing support in the comment section of her first post.
“She’s here!” actress Lily Collins wrote.
“This is the best day of my life,” said “Stranger Things” star Noah Schnapp.
Others have called for public co-operation with the account owner’s appeal.
“Everyone be NICE! We cannot lose her already!” said “Kpop Demon Hunters” voice actress Arden Cho.
“Be respectful, guys. I will literally fight ya’ll,” a fan wrote.
“Jennifer Lawrence on Instagram? Everyone act casual,” said another user.
Jennifer has yet to make another post on the new account as of writing.
But she did put up a Story shortly after uploading the reel — a humorous statement mounted on a black background.
“Please be mindful that any mean or aggressive comments can affect the baby. “It’s me. I’m the baby,” it said.
A voyeur
According to reports, it is Jennifer’s first public social media account in more than 10 years, which many call a feat for someone as famous as the “Mockingjay.”
In a 2014 interview with the BBC 1 Radio, Jennifer attributed her absence from the internet to her inability to keep up with technology.
“I’m not very good on (the) phone or technology,” Jennifer said at the time. “I cannot really keep up with emails, so the idea of Twitter is so unthinkable to me.”
The actress, however, noted then that despite not understanding what social media is all about, she respects those who do.
“It’s like this weird enigma that people talk about. It’s fine. I respect that,” she told the station.
In more recent interviews, however, the Oscar-winning actress admitted that she is not completely disconnected from the online world.
“I’m on it. But I’m a voyeur,” Jennifer told InStyle magazine in 2019. “I watch, I don’t speak.”
Maintaining privacy
The actress said she has maintained her privacy out of fear of being on the receiving end of online criticism.
“So many people are listening and paying attention, and they have so many opinions about absolutely everything,” she said at the time. “I really don’t want to welcome that unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
And by “absolutely necessary,” Jennifer meant when she is “promoting something or something really burns my onions.”
For Katniss?
So, does her joining Instagram on Thursday have more meaning than meets the eye? Well, hopefully she stays on the platform long enough for us to find out.
But here’s something everyone already knows for now – the account launch comes two months before a new “The Hunger Games” installment reaches the big screen, as Jennifer is reportedly reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen.
“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” comes to theatres November 20, as the second prequel story to the novel series written by Suzanne Collins.
Jennifer last played her breakout role of Katniss Everdeen in the 2015 “Mockingjay Part 2,” the final part of the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy.
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