Jennifer Lawrence on Expecting a Baby: ‘Every Instinct in My Body Wants to Protect Their Privacy’

Jennifer Lawrence is back.

After a few years away from the spotlight–her last starring role was in 2018’s Red Sparrow–the actor has made her grand return in Don’t Look Up, an Adam McKay film hitting theaters December 10 (and Netflix December 24). To promote the movie, she appeared on Vanity Fair‘s December 2021/January 2022 cover, and in the interview she talks motherhood—specifically, why it won’t be a topic she divulges too much about. (Lawrence and her husband, art gallerist Cooke Maroney, are expecting their first child.) 

“I haven’t spoken to the world in forever,” she said. “And to come back now, when I have all of these new accessories added to my life that I obviously want to protect [her pregnancy]…I’m nervous for you. I’m nervous for me. I’m nervous for the readers.”

Lawrence didn’t go in-depth about becoming a mother—besides saying  she’s “grateful and excited”—and there’s a reason for that. 

“If I was at a dinner party, and somebody was like, ‘Oh, my God, you’re expecting a baby,’ I wouldn’t be like, ‘God, I can’t talk about that. Get away from me, you psycho!’” Lawrence told VF. “But every instinct in my body wants to protect their privacy for the rest of their lives, as much as I can. I don’t want anyone to feel welcome into their existence. And I feel like that just starts with not including them in this part of my work.”

While Lawrence was hesitant to discuss her baby, she did open up a little bit about her marriage to Maroney. The two tied the knot in fall 2019.  “I really enjoy going to the grocery store with him,” Lawrence said. “I don’t know why, but it fills me with a lot of joy. I think maybe because it’s almost a metaphor for marriage. ‘Okay, we’ve got this list. These are the things we need. Let’s work together and get this done.’ And I always get one of the cooking magazines, like 15 Minute Healthy Meals, and he always gives me a look like, ‘You’re not going to use that. When are you going to make that?’ And I say, ‘Yes, I am. Tuesday!’ And he’s always right, and I never do.”

Just Jennifer Lawrence, being a relatable icon as always.