In taking over BAFTA hosting duties from Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley ensured a national treasure remained in place to hand out gongs to the great and good of the film world.
Turns out, however, that “snippy” Jennifer may not hold the Absolutely Fabulous legend in the same high esteem that most Brits do after a gushing introduction for the US star was met with a curt reply.
Hailing Jennifer as “ravishing” and “the hottest actress on the planet”, the 27-year-old chose not to be as warm as her welcome as she made her way onstage, tersely dismissing Joanna with a roll of the eyes and opening with: “Hi. That was a bit much, but thank you Joanna.”
Viewers expressed fury over J-Law’s tepid response on social media, with many blasting the Oscar winner for being a “spoiled brat”.
Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t get to diss the loverly Joanna Lumley. It’s just not on. #EEBAFTAs
— Julie B (@JulieB__) February 18, 2018
Not a fan of anything about Jennifer Lawrence at all. Don’t like her acting, don’t like her attitude and don’t like her face. Spoiled little brat who knows her 15 minutes will be up soon.
— Al (@AlexXCass) February 19, 2018
Wow seriously Jennifer Lawrence needs to lighten the F up. Joanna Lumley gave you a compliment calling you ravishing and you knocked her back like a right stuck up cow. Take the compliment. Jesus Christ! Ungrateful much! I’d love a compliment from Lumley #EEBAFTAs
— Kim Beacham (@Kimboly27) February 18, 2018
But do have to say that #jenniferlawrence was very rude in her comments to #JoannaLumley @ #BAFTAs uncalled for.
— Colmarie #ProEU #NHSLove (@lettiemarie17) February 18, 2018
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But not all viewers agreed Jennifer was being rude. Some even felt Joanna’s introduction failed to show Jennifer proper respect for talents beyond her appearance.
Hater, Jennifer Lawrence wasn’t rude. You can’t call her the hottest here. Actresses fight against it always. People only talk about their dresses, makeup and bodies. That isn’t correct. Joanna Lumley should say: talented, kindest, … sm positive for #TimesUp in #BAFTAS
— Gracia Espinoza (@Jlawvatohaal) February 19, 2018
So was the Hunger Games star really ‘sassing’ the host?
Or was her sense of humour too dry for those watching, especially following such exorbitant praise?
She has denied being rude, and claims her comments were “an inside joke”, telling Ronan Keating on Magic Radio: “I want to clear it up. Okay so backstage Joanna and I were both about to go out… and I was like, ‘Just [say] adjective after adjective, ‘tall’, ‘beautiful’, just say that I’m this and that. And she was like, ‘Alright darling’.
“It was an inside joke. She went on and said all these really nice things about me and when I got up to the podium, I was like, ‘That was a bit much’, after I spent all of backstage telling her how to be really nice to me. Then everybody thought that I was being rude.
“But to be fair, I couldn’t have just walked out after she [described me as] ‘the biggest movie star in the world’ and gone ‘thank you, Joanna’. That would have been like, ‘So you agree, you think you’re really pretty’.”
I used to want to be friends with Jennifer Lawrence and dreamed of working with her someday but to be honest, she’s kind of turned into a little bitchy spoiled brat
— Chelsea Sica (@chelseasica) February 19, 2018
You DO NOT be rude to Joanna Lumley. Accept the compliment with grace and dignity Jennifer Lawrence #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/DbtB3BUDZv
— Neil Armstrong Boast (@NeilBoast) February 18, 2018
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