Jennifer Lawrence Reveals the One Actor She Was Afraid Working With: “That’s My Worst Nightmare”
Jennifer Lawrence once opened up about how nervous she felt working alongside Meryl Streep in the 2021 film Don’t Look Up. The story was shared in an interview with Vanity Fair, and it shows how even major Hollywood stars can feel intimidated when acting with legends.
In the film directed by Adam McKay, Lawrence played a scientist focused on astronomy, while Streep took on the role of the U.S. president. The movie also featured a large cast of well-known actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Cate Blanchett, Mark Rylance, and Ariana Grande. Even with so many big names on set, Lawrence said her biggest worry was Streep.
She admitted that she was extremely careful about how she acted around her. In the interview, she explained that she tried not to say too much or do anything that might bother the veteran actress. She said, “My biggest concern was, I did not want to annoy Meryl Streep. That’s my worst nightmare. So, I will only speak if spoken to, and I will be the least annoying person in the room.”
Director Adam McKay also noticed her nerves during production. He described how Lawrence was very quiet and unsure at first, especially on the first day of filming with Streep. According to him, she even approached him like she needed reassurance about what to do.
He said, “She just kept saying, ‘I’m going to be quiet. I won’t speak’. Meryl Streep shows up, and Jen comes over to me like she’s a 12-year-old and is like, ‘What do I say? What do I do?’”
Even with that early nervousness, things changed quickly once filming continued. Lawrence and Streep eventually got along well on set. Lawrence later joked that her fear did not last and that their working relationship became comfortable and friendly.
She even said that her impression of Streep changed after spending time with her. Instead of seeing her as distant or intimidating, she found her to be easy to talk to and down to earth. She also mentioned that they spent time together off set, showing that their connection became more relaxed over time.
Iit is for actors to feel pressure when working with highly respected names in the industry. In this case, even someone as successful as Jennifer Lawrence felt nervous around Meryl Streep, who is widely seen as one of the most awarded and respected actors in film history.
This story shows that even the biggest stars can feel like beginners when they are around people they admire. It also shows that first impressions are not always accurate, because real interactions can quickly change how people see each other. What do you think about Jennifer Lawrence’s reaction and their friendship on set? Share your thoughts in the comments.


