Jennifer Lawrence Punks YouTube’s Smosh for ‘Prank It FWD’ Campaign (VIDEO)
Jennifer Lawrence joined Defy Media’s latest “pranks for good” initiative, with the Oscar-winning thesp participating in a gag targeting YouTube comedy stars Smosh to raise awareness about muscular dystrophy.
In the “Prank It FWD” stunt, Lawrence and her “Hunger Games” co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth turn the cameras on Smosh’s Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox. Lawrence subjects Hecox, who think she’s promoting the Nov. 20 release of Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2,” to an uncomfortable interview.
“I’m sorry, I feel like you’re not really a professional,” she says, walking off the set and abandoning the hapless Hecox before the prank is revealed.
The faux press junket with Lawrence was coordinated with Smosh superfan Dylan Miceli-Nelson, who is living with muscular dystrophy, to promote awareness of the disease.
For the third season of “Prank It FWD,” Defy also lined up NBC “Today” show host Hoda Kotb, who joined Clevver’s “Entourage For The Day” stunt to surprise an aspiring teenage singer with a camera crew and crowd of paparazzi.
Other featured videos include “All Dogs Must Go: Epic Pet Adoption,” pranking L.A. animal-rescue shelter owner Sherri Stankewitz, who thinks she’s being filmed for a documentary; and “Prank It FWD” host Greg Benson’s “Homeless Shelter Makeovers,” in which he invites homeless people to a local shelter for a meal but they end up receiving several surprises.
According to Defy, since “Prank It FWD” launched in April 2014, the campaign has garnered more than 100 million total views. This year’s campaign is sponsored again by brand partner Barefoot Wine & Bubbly.
Defy has pledged to donate $1 to not-for-profit organization DoSomething.org for every thousand views of a “Prank It FWD” video, as well as every time it’s shared on social media.
“We’re proud to bring back another season with more great talent and life-changing surprises that promise to drive this important program even further and inspire others to prank it forward with us through the holidays,” Barry Blumberg, Defy chief content officer, said in a statement.
The latest season of “Prank It FWD” launched on Break.com’s YouTube channel, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.
One of the most-viewed “Prank It FWD” videos to date is “Best Shift Ever,” in which a surprised L.A. waitress received a $1,000 tip, as well as a trip to Hawaii, a new car and a surprise visit from her mentor.
Related stories
'Mockingjay Part 2' L.A. Premiere Cancels Interviews After Paris Attacks
Jennifer Lawrence, Diane Sawyer Talk 'Hunger Games,' Wage Gap
Equal Pay Revolution: How Top Actresses Are Finally Fighting Back
Get more from Variety and Variety411: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
