Katniss for today

Jennifer Lawrence was papped today in New York, which is not unusual. But what doesn’t happen every day is how she looks. I’m not talking about her outfit, I’m not talking about her hair.

Anyone who’s a fan of The Hunger Games and seen her as Katniss Everdeen in the movies will know what she’s doing with her hand, giving the camera the three-finger salute that, initially, represented District 12.

The three-finger salute showed up in the first book/movie when Katniss volunteers as tribute in place of her sister, Primrose, and in a powerful gesture of respect and admiration, the residents bid her farewell with the salute instead of applause. It was that much more meaningful to her…and she would herself use it throughout the story in moments of tenderness but also defiance.

Since then, the three-finger salute has shown up at protests around the world, particular in criticism of authoritarian and corrupt governments who oppress people instead of helping them. It is no accident then that today of all days, Jennifer Lawrence, Katniss herself in a braid, chose to be photographed doing the three-finger salute – not because the movie is coming out but because today is a consequential day in American history. Given her outspokenness on so many issues, she’s using the salute as a symbol of resistance. And if that wasn’t clear enough…

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What else happened today…

I’ve been namechecking The Gilded Age all week, and also mentioning Kathleen’s obsession with it. Here’s her piece on why George and Bertha Russell are TV’s best couple. (Refinery 29)

Kayleigh Donaldson on why Taika Waititi is so bothered even though he claims he’s unbothered. (Pajiba)

Glenn Close looked so good at the All’s Fair premiere and she is probably the only person I could tolerate in those shoes. But what made it iconic is who she showed up with. (Go Fug Yourself)

I just learned what Gen Z’s nickname is for Diet Coke. Maybe it’s because I don’t drink Diet Coke? If I need a Coke I go for the OG which works out to be about once a year, maybe twice. But there are so many people in my life who live on Diet Coke. Some of my best friends can’t go without at least one a day. We have a joke in our office, because our set is in the middle of our office space, that at least once a day during filming someone will open a Diet Coke. (Celebitchy)

Do you perform for the group chat? It’s not just a celebrity thing, I think it happens to civilians too. But, like, Bill Hader’s group chat is, understandably, a lot of pressure. (Entertainment Weekly)