Jennifer Lawrence has spoken out after her decision to wear a revealing Versace dress during an outdoor cast photo shoot for her new film Red Sparrow sparked a serious discussion.
Yesterday, the 27-year-old actress stepped out in the cold London air wearing nothing but a plunging, black Versace dress, while all of her male co-stars were wrapped up in coats and jackets.
The dress sparked a fierce debate online with critics saying that the situation was 'quietly depressing' and indicative of people's extra expectations of women.
Advert
Now Lawrence has turned up online to shoot the discussion down, calling the controversy 'utterly ridiculous' and stressing that it was her choice to wear the dress.
"Wow. I don't really know where to get started on this 'Jennifer Lawrence wearing a revealing dress in the cold' controversy," the Academy Award-winning actress said in a Facebook post earlier today.
"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?"
Advert
Photos of Lawrence in the dress were criticised as anti-feminist, as commentators hinted that she'd had no say in choosing her clothes for the shoot.
Saying that Lawrence was forced or felt pressured to wear the dress, many social media users claimed it highlighted how Hollywood treats men and women differently.
"This is such a quietly depressing (and revealing) image. Not least because I've been outside today and it's bloody FREEZING," tweeted New Statesman deputy editor Helen Lewis.
Advert
"Yup," agreed Zelda Williams, daughter of the dearly missed Robin Williams. "And the sheer number of men I know who come to press junkets freshly rolled out of bed when their female counterparts have been up since 4am going through hair and makeup. The expectations women are expected to fill physically in order to be considered 'hardworking' are ten fold."
Looking to end the debate, Lawrence explained that she was only outside for five minutes wearing the dress and it looked so good she would have worn it in worse weather.
She concluded by hinting that the spat only pulled attention away from real issues like the #MeToo movement, urging people to 'get a grip'.
Advert
"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," Lawrence wrote.
"Everything you see me wear is my choice. And if I want to be cold, THAT'S MY CHOICE TOO!"
New Statesman deputy editor Helen Lewis, quickly picked up on Lawrence's response, saying she disagreed with what Lawrence appeared to be saying 'that anything a woman chooses to do = feminism'.
Advert
Either way, can we all stop talking about it now?
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Jennifer Lawrence