Shailene Woodley is totally over all those J-Law comparisons, and says she sees herself as an entirely separate individual to Lawrence.
‘As women, we are constantly told that we need to compare ourselves to a girl in school, to our co-workers, to the images in a magazine,’ Woodley told New York Magazine. ‘How is the world going to advance if we’re always comparing ourselves to others? I admire Jennifer Lawrence, but she’s everyone’s favorite person to compare me to. Is it because we both have short hair and a vagina?’
Woodley believes that the constant comparisons are not just bad for her, but are bad for women in general, saying many insecurities stem from comparing ourselves to each other.
‘I see us as separate individuals.’ she said of Lawrence. ‘And that’s important. As women, our insecurities are based on all these comparisons. And that creates distress.’
In fact, a portion of Shailene Woodley’s Tonight Show interview in March was cut, after she said that the incessant comparisons with Lawrence were leading to despair.
Woodley was on the publicity trail for Divergent when host Jimmy Fallon asked her about the frequent comparisons between the two actresses.
‘Well, comparisons always lead to despair,’ Woodley answered, prompting angry boos from the studio audience. Producers decided to cut the moment from the interview, and her thoughts were never aired.
The two are super cool IRL though. Woodley had actually emailed Lawrence prior to accepting the role in Divergent, although the pair had previously never met in person. ‘I asked her advice,’ Woodley said. ‘I do think we have things in common. We both believe in having fun and still telling the truth. We’re not fashion girls, but we play the game. And we both care deeply about being actors.’
For the record, Lawrence recommended Woodley take the part.
Picture: Getty
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.