Alyson Stoner Discloses Audition for Katniss Role in The Hunger Games, Stating Training was No Laughing Matter: "I Jumped to the Heights of a Moon"
Alyson Stoner, a familiar face from films such as Cheaper By The Dozen, Step Up, and Holly Hobbie animated specials, once took on a challenging role during the audition process for the iconic character, Katniss Everdeen, in the The Hunger Games movie series.
In 2011, Stoner, who was only 17 years old at the time, joined the ranks of talented actresses vying for the role, including Hailee Steinfeld, Saoirse Ronan, Zoey Deutch, Brie Larson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Abigail Breslin, and Emma Roberts [1].
However, Stoner's audition process was marked by significant physical and health challenges. In her pursuit of the role, she subjected herself to an extreme regimen involving intense physical training for months. This included seven hours of daily exercise, heavy lifting, fourteen-mile hikes, and high-intensity cardio on a calorie deficit [2].
This rigorous training was so demanding that it weakened Stoner's immune system, leading to them coming down with the flu shortly before their audition. Stoner later acknowledged this behavior as part of an eating disorder, reflecting on the irrational justifications for these extremes in her memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: A Memoir [2][4].
The role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games was described as "a Caucasian woman between the ages of 15 and 30 who could portray someone 'underfed but strong,' and 'naturally pretty underneath her tomboyishness'" in the casting description [3]. This description caused controversy, with some critics arguing that it perpetuated harmful stereotypes.
Despite Stoner's efforts, Jennifer Lawrence was ultimately cast as Katniss, and the rest, as they say, is history. Stoner's memoir, providing a candid account of her life and experiences, is scheduled for release on August 12 [2].
Interested readers can preorder a copy of Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: A Memoir on Amazon for US$27.90 [5].
[1] The Hollywood Reporter [2] Variety [3] Deadline Hollywood [4] People [5] Amazon
- In her memoir, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: A Memoir, Alyson Stoner shares the daily blend of personal struggles and professional endeavors that featured during her audition for the role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, including her battle against an eating disorder.
- For entertainment aficionados, Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: A Memoir is one of the latest books from the intriguing world of celebrities, offering a candid insight into the life and career of the versatile actress, Alyson Stoner.
