The chemistry between Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne in the globally successful Hunger Games film series was undeniably compelling on screen, fueling one of cinema’s most intense love triangles. However, behind the scenes, the highly anticipated romantic moments between the two actors, Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, were often sabotaged by one of Hollywood’s most notorious pranksters: Lawrence herself. Hemsworth famously revealed that his co-star intentionally made their kissing scenes a disgusting ordeal, turning romantic preparation into comedic torture.
The On-Screen Romance vs. Off-Screen Reality
The Hunger Games saga, based on the novels by Suzanne Collins, was a massive cinematic event. The third installment, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014), notably featured several emotional and intense scenes between the two characters, including crucial kissing sequences. While fans adored the on-screen passion, Hemsworth, who played Gale Hawthorne, found the reality far less appealing. He revealed in an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that before every kissing scene, Lawrence would deliberately consume the most pungent and offensive foods she could find. “Any time I had to kiss Jennifer, it was uncomfortable,” Hemsworth confessed. “She’d be like, ‘Yeah, I just ate garlic and tuna,’ or ‘I didn’t brush my teeth.’” Hemsworth’s recollections paint a picture of deliberate, food-based warfare. Lawrence, playing the role of the mischievous tormentor, would often make sure her breath was heavy with the smell of garlic and tuna fish just moments before the camera rolled, leaving Hemsworth to cry out in mock horror and disgust instead of preparing for a romantic kiss.
The Power of A-List Friendship
This constant teasing, while unprofessional in any other context, became a signature element of the deep, sibling-like friendship shared by Lawrence and Hemsworth, alongside their co-star Josh Hutcherson (who played Peeta Mellark). The Data: The success of their on-screen dynamic helped propel the films to enormous financial heights. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 alone grossed over $755 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo data, showing that their genuine, if sometimes gross, chemistry translated into massive box office appeal. Related Notable Event: The Oscar Moment: Jennifer Lawrence’s penchant for self-deprecating humor and relatable clumsiness became a key part of her public brand, complementing her acting prowess. A notable, related event occurred when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Tiffany Maxwell in the film Silver Linings Playbook (2012). As she walked up the stairs to accept the coveted Oscar statuette, she famously tripped over her dress, instantly becoming a viral moment. This incident, much like the garlic and tuna pranks, cemented her image as the hilariously unfiltered, “cool girl” of Hollywood—a trait that both tormented and endeared her to her co-stars, especially Liam Hemsworth, cementing their bond beyond the glamorous facade of the big screen.