In the dystopian world of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Gale Hawthorne shared a bond forged in survival and shared trauma. But on the actual film set, actor Liam Hemsworth was battling a very different kind of trauma—one that involved tuna, garlic, and a playful lack of dental hygiene. While the “Everlark” versus “Galeniss” shipping wars divided fans, Hemsworth was busy trying to survive the “horrific” breath of his co-star and best friend, Jennifer Lawrence. In a series of candid interviews, the Australian actor revealed that what looked like a romantic moment on screen was often a biological hazard behind the scenes.
The Tuna and Garlic “Fair Warning”
The legend of the “stinky kiss” began during the filming of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014). While the two stars are famously close friends, Lawrence apparently found great joy in testing the limits of that friendship. Hemsworth famously told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that any time he had to kiss Jennifer was “pretty uncomfortable.” He explained that right before a scene, she would make a point of eating garlic or tuna and would then proudly announce, “I didn’t brush my teeth.” Hemsworth’s sarcastic response? “Fantastic, I can’t wait to get in there and taste it!”
The “Olfactory Prank” Breakdown:
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The Menu: Primarily tuna fish, garlic, and occasionally sandwiches with mustard and raw red onions.
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The Timing: Consumed immediately before the director shouted “action.”
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The Warning: Lawrence defended herself at press conferences by stating she at least gave him “fair warning” before the cameras rolled.
The “A-List” Double Standard
The “disgusting” habit wasn’t a universal rule for Lawrence; it was a treatment reserved specifically for her close friends. In a hilarious 2023 appearance on the YouTube series Hot Ones, Jennifer Lawrence finally addressed the decade-long critique. She laughingly told host Sean Evans that the incidents were “not intentional,” claiming it was simply what she was eating that day and that Hemsworth should “get over it.”
However, Lawrence previously admitted to a clear double standard. While she didn’t care about her breath for Hemsworth or Josh Hutcherson, she was “really clean” and “ate lots of mints” before kissing “real stars” like Christian Bale or Bradley Cooper in films like American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook.
A Friendship Forged in “Mustard and Onions”
Despite the “vomit-inducing” scents, the bond between the two remains unbreakable. Lawrence has often credited Hemsworth with teaching her how to have a “backbone” in the industry, specifically during negotiations. She described him as “always fair, always kind, and always strong,” noting that his friendship was the “biggest surprise” of her Hunger Games experience.
Notable Sophie Turner Milestones:
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2014: The “Tuna-gate” story first goes viral after Hemsworth’s Tonight Show appearance.
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2015: Lawrence admits on Watch What Happens Live that she and Hemsworth shared a real-life kiss off-camera (when they were both single).
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2023: Lawrence revisits the prank on Hot Ones, officially telling Liam to “get over it.”
The Final Verdict
As of late 2025, The Hunger Games franchise continues to thrive through prequels like The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, but the original cast’s stories remain the peak of behind-the-scenes lore. While Katniss Everdeen was the “Girl on Fire,” Liam Hemsworth will always remember her as the girl on tuna. It’s a reminder that in Hollywood, the most romantic scenes are often built on a foundation of professional resilience—and a lot of held breath.