Jennifer Lawrence recently revealed that online trolls may have cost her the role of Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". In a conversation on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Lawrence recalled that she was considered for the role, but faced backlash from online commenters who claimed she wasn't "pretty enough" to portray the late actress. The role ultimately went to Margot Robbie.
Lawrence stated on the podcast, "Well, he did, and then everybody was like, 'She's not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate,' and then they didn't". She humorously questioned whether this was indeed the reason, or if she had simply convinced herself of this explanation over time. "I'm pretty sure it is true. Or it's that thing where I've been telling the story this way for so long that I believe it. No, but I'm pretty sure that happened. Or he just was never considering me for the part, and the internet just went out of their way to call me ugly," she added.
The revelation has sparked discussion about the entertainment industry's harsh appearance standards and the impact of social media on casting decisions. The actress's comments highlight the pressure performers face and how online negativity can affect their careers.
Adding to the complexity, prior to the film's release, Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate, told TMZ that she preferred Robbie for the role, stating that Robbie's "physical beauty and the way she even carries herself is similar to that of Sharon". She added, "I don't think as much about Jennifer Lawrence, not that I have anything against her. She's just, I don't know, she's not pretty enough to play Sharon. That's a horrible thing to say, but, you know, I have my standards".
Tarantino himself has not confirmed the reasons behind his casting choice, leaving room for speculation. He had considered Lawrence for a different role in "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood". In 2021, Tarantino mentioned he had considered Lawrence for the role of Squeaky Fromme, one of Charles Manson's followers, which ultimately went to Dakota Fanning.
Lawrence also revealed that she had previously turned down a role in Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight", which she now regrets. She was offered the part of Daisy Domergue, which was ultimately played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Tarantino confirmed that he had offered her the role but said she was too busy with "Hunger Games" publicity.
