Jennifer Lawrence revealed that she was considered for a part in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but lost the opportunity due to perceptions about her appearance. The actress shared this during a January 12 podcast, describing how opinions about her looks influenced casting decisions.
Jennifer Lawrence’s Claim About Losing Tarantino Role
On the Happy Sad Confused podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, Lawrence, 35, said Quentin Tarantino initially wanted to cast her in the movie. However, she claimed others involved felt she wasn’t “pretty enough” to portray Sharon Tate, the actress and model whose murder by the Manson Family is central to the film’s story.
Well, he did [want to cast me], and then everybody was like, ‘She’s not pretty enough to play Sharon Tate,’
Lawrence stated.
And then they didn’t.
Although Horowitz suggested this might not be true, Lawrence insisted she believed her version of events because she had told the story for so long. She also speculated that Tarantino may never have seriously considered her, but that online criticism unfairly focused on her looks.
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,
she joked.
I’m pretty sure that happened, or he just never was considering me for the part and the internet just went out of their way to call me ugly.
Context: Casting and Sharon Tate’s Legacy
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood explores an alternate history surrounding the 1969 murders committed by Charles Manson’s followers, focusing on Tate’s potential survival. When casting began in 2017, Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie were both mentioned as candidates for the role of Tate. Sharon Tate’s sister, Debra Tate, publicly voiced her opinion that Lawrence was not suitable.
She’s not pretty enough to play Sharon,
Debra Tate told TMZ at the time.
My pick would be Margot simply because of her physical beauty and even the way she carries herself is similar to Sharon.
Margot Robbie eventually secured the part, starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Debra Tate attended the film set and praised Robbie’s performance, saying the actress captured her sister’s voice and presence so well it moved her to tears.
She made me cry because she sounded just like Sharon,
Debra said in a 2019 Vanity Fair interview.
The tone in her voice was completely Sharon, and it just touched me so much that big tears [started falling]. The front of my shirt was wet. I actually got to see my sister again … nearly 50 years later.
Tarantino’s Casting Choices and Alternative Roles
Quentin Tarantino later acknowledged he considered Jennifer Lawrence for a different role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, that of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson Family. Tarantino said Lawrence came to his home to read the script in private before decisions were finalized.
But early on, I investigated the idea of Jennifer Lawrence playing Squeaky [Fromme]. She came down to the house to read the script cause I wasn’t letting it out,
Tarantino said during a 2021 episode of the WTF podcast.
So, she came down to the house and I gave her the script and said, ‘Go in my living room or go outside by the pool and read it.’
The role of Fromme ultimately went to Dakota Fanning, whom Tarantino praised for delivering one of the film’s strongest performances.
couldn’t be happier with what Dakota Fanning did,
Tarantino said, adding she had
one of the best performances in the movie.
Missed Chances and Regrets in Collaboration with Tarantino
Jennifer Lawrence also revealed she declined an earlier offer to join Tarantino’s film The Hateful Eight, where she was considered for the role of Daisy. The part was eventually played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. Lawrence expressed regret over turning down the opportunity to work with Tarantino on that film.
I turned it down, which I should not have done,
Lawrence admitted.
The actress’s reflections provide insight into the complex dynamics of casting and the impact of appearance-based judgments, which sometimes shape opportunities despite talent or interest. Her experience highlights ongoing issues within Hollywood casting culture.
