Jennifer Lawrence’s controversial relationship with Darren Aronofsky, the 48-year-old director of her latest film Mother!, is ‘fizzling out fast’, Grazia can reveal. Last week, multiple sources told us that the romance is faltering following the film’s release and the subsequent backlash.
Their relationship, which began while they worked on the film, has consistently raised eyebrows – not least because of the actresses who have publicly spoken out against the director. They include Natalie Portman and Emma Watson, who famously claimed she went ‘delirious’ on set after Darren banned bottled water while they filmed Noah.
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There was also concern amid claims of how intense filming had become, first reported by Grazia earlier this year. It was later confirmed by the star who said in an interview, ‘I’ve never had to go this dark before. So I just kind of lost control of myself and tore my diaphragm and popped my chest rib out. I don’t know if I’d ever work with Darren again.’ (One critic went further, writing, ‘[Mother!] puts Jennifer Lawrence through the mill for no purpose except nurturing a strain of masochism.’)
Now, the widespread opinion is that a split would be quietly applauded by many in the industry. ‘Lots of people in Hollywood are happy that Jen has started to realise that she’s better off without him,’ said one associate. ‘He has a reputation of being quite bullish with his cast, and was no different with Jen on set. It certainly wasn’t a healthy relationship at this point, and many in Hollywood were wondering what Jen was doing taking part in it all.’
A second LA source said, ‘It feels like they’re fizzling out. Jen went from being Hollywood’s hottest young actress to becoming almost a recluse, living with Darren and collaborating on a movie that was her worst box-office result. The odds were stacked against them: they were never going to be a golden couple of Hollywood.’
An exit plan is already said to be in place. ‘Jennifer wants to call time on the relationship,’ said the first source. ‘She is slowly but surely getting back to her old self. It’s like she has woken up from Darren’s spell now that the movie is over, she doesn’t see where this relationship can go.’
It was previously reported that Jennifer’s close circle had advised her to put some distance between herself and Darren, branded Hollywood’s ‘Mr Nasty’ by some. Sources reported ‘mounting concern that she no longer appears the free spirit that made her Hollywood’s most bankable star’.
Significantly, Jennifer, 27, is thought to have turned to David O Russell, who directed her in Silver Linings Playbook (for which she won an Oscar) as well as Joy and American Hustle, which saw her Oscar-nominated twice more.
‘Mother! was an incredibly intense experience for her, as both an actress and his girlfriend,’ said the rst source. ‘After everything she’s been through in
the relationship, she feels as though she needs to get back to her old self. She wants to get back to some normality and have fun with friends again. Everyone is saying it’s just a matter of time.’
‘She wanted to give her best to Darren but must have felt as though she was taken advantage of at times, and went into it a bit naïve. She feels she’s learned a valuable lesson, and feels stronger because of it.’
As Grazia went to press, Jennifer was seen with a white ring on her engagement finger. However, sources were quick to point out that the actor often chooses to wear jewellery on that finger, stifling speculation that the pair could be engaged.
‘She’s told friends she’s making arrangements to end the relationship,’ said the source. ‘She’s said it’s a case of when, not if.’
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