Jennifer Lawrence has finally joined Instagram, but it took just one post for fans to find something to argue about. The Hunger Games star made her official Instagram debut on 9 September, quickly attracting a huge following.
The actress had previously said she was a social media 'voyeur' who preferred watching rather than posting because of the backlash that can come with being online. Her Instagram debut suggested she still has concerns about that side of the internet, but it was one of the people she follows that caught some fans' attention: longtime friend Amy Schumer.
Jennifer Lawrence: “Amy [Schumer]’s choice to use her voice to speak for justice puts her under immense fire. I wouldn’t say she navigates it so much as she throws her middle fingers up and walks away from negative comments like a gas station fire in a Michael Bay movie.”… pic.twitter.com/iBCicB0Pje
— Variety (@Variety) April 30, 2024
Jennifer Lawrence Makes Her Instagram Debut
Lawrence's first Instagram video was very much on brand. Sitting casually in front of the camera, she warned her new followers that she would leave the platform immediately if people started making negative comments.
'So yeah, I'm giving this a shot. And if anyone says anything negative, I will quit. Immediately,' she said. Lawrence later continued the joke on her Instagram Stories, asking followers to be kind because she is 'the baby' when it comes to online comments.
That did not stop fans from getting straight to the point.
One commenter on Reddit wrote: 'She's following 45 people and one of them is Amy Schumer? Does mentioning that count as 'negative' lol?'
The reaction quickly became more serious. One critic said Lawrence appeared to 'know better' but still had 'no backbone', adding a question: 'Why are you supporting and following a virulent pro-genocide racist like Amy?'
Another fan wrote: 'Jennifer called what's happening in Gaza a genocide and she also follows Ms Rachel, so it's puzzling why she's still friends with Schumer.'
Comment
by u/SamDean_Supernatural from discussion
in Fauxmoi
i want to love jennifer lawrence so much she's so talented but i genuinely don't understand how she claims to support palestine while being bffs with amy schumer
— film twt gains (@FILMGAINS) September 10, 2026
The Backlash Against Amy Schumer
Schumer has faced significant backlash over her outspoken views on Israel and the war in Gaza, particularly since Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on Israel.
She has publicly expressed strong support for Israel and repeatedly called for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Her social media posts have also drawn accusations of Islamophobia and misinformation from critics. One post, which was later deleted, was criticised for appearing to suggest that Palestinians were responsible for sexual violence against Jewish women.
On Reddit, she was even accused of being 'vocally hateful towards victims of genocide on literally every platform'.
However, Schumer has rejected the idea that she supports everything the Israeli government does. In a 2024 Variety interview, she said she did not agree with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described the situation in Gaza as 'sickening, horrifying and unthinkable'. She also said the focus had become too heavily centred on Jewish people rather than Hamas.
Inside Their Friendship
Lawrence's decision to follow Schumer is particularly noticeable because the pair have been close for years. Their friendship goes well beyond Hollywood events, with the actresses previously working together on a screenplay and regularly speaking publicly about their friendship.
Lawrence has also defended Schumer when she has faced backlash over her political comments. In Variety's 2024 profile of Schumer, Lawrence described her friend as someone who was 'speaking for justice' and defended her decision to speak publicly despite the criticism.
Their friendship therefore is hardly a new development brought about by Instagram. Lawrence following Schumer simply gives fans another visible reminder that the two remain close.
Lawrence's Stance on Gaza Conflict
The criticism is also tied to Lawrence's own public comments about Gaza.
In September 2025, Lawrence was asked about the conflict while attending the San Sebastián Film Festival. She said she was 'terrified' by what was happening and described it as 'no less than a genocide'. She also criticised the political discourse surrounding the conflict and warned that dishonesty in politics could become normalised for children.
That earlier statement is why some fans now see a disconnect between Lawrence's position on Gaza and her continued friendship with Schumer.
Lawrence may have been hoping for a peaceful start to her Instagram era. Instead, her first move has already reopened an old debate about Amy Schumer, Gaza and whether celebrities can separate personal friendships from political disagreements.
