8 Amazing Bodies of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes Stars

The odds are ever in their favor: Discover the incredible stories and unique perspectives of the stars of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes." We delve into the lives and experiences of these talented actors who brought the characters of Panem to life on the big screen. From their thoughts on self-love and body image to their fitness routines and career journeys, get an inside look at the diverse and inspiring cast members who made this film a blockbuster prequel.

1. Rachel Zegler

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Rachel Zegler plays Lucy Gray Baird in the film. She tells WhoWhatWear that she isn’t taking criticism from social media seriously. “The more you get talked about in a general sense, the more people like to nitpick about every little bit of everything you say or your personality, how you look,” she says. “I don’t want any part of it anymore. I have those conversations enough with myself. We all are insecure beings at the end of the day, even if you think that you’re not, and then somebody will say one thing about your appearance, and you immediately hyper-fixate, and it’s over.”

2. Tom Blyth

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Tom Blyth plays the lead role of Coriolanus Snow in the film. He tells GQ that one of the things he likes about acting is challenging himself. "I've always liked stepping out into the unknown, stepping into the abyss," he says. "I think that's kind of the reason I like acting as well, because it feels like you're always like mentally or psychologically stepping into the abyss a little bit to see what happens. And it feels risky in an interesting way."

3. Peter Dinklage

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Emmy-winner Peter Dinklage plays Dean Casca Highbottom in the film. In an interview with The Independent, Dinklage talks about his condition and how it affects his acting career. “I never want to put myself in front of the work, and I never will,” he says. “But if I’ve done my job and inspired change, then great. I read a lot of scripts where the height is the only characteristic of the character, but that’s not who I am. It’s part of who I am, but I don’t go around thinking about it all day long. And if it doesn’t define me, why should it define a character? That’s just bad writing.”

4. Viola Davis

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EGOT recipient, Viola Davis, plays Dr. Volumnia Gaul in the film. She said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar that she believes in affirmations and self-love. “It came with time, sort of feeling the nicks and scrapes of life and getting to know myself. Understanding that at some point, it's not conceited and it's not egotistical to love oneself. I have a daughter who is very beautiful and very tall, and I am always telling her how beautiful she is. The other day she said, ‘You know, you're beautiful too, Mommy.’ So I feel like through affirming her, it's also affirming myself. So that has played a huge role in me understanding beauty, is coming to terms with my own beauty.”

5. Hunter Schafer

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Hunter Schafer plays Tigris Snow in the film. Schafer shared some of her skincare secrets with InStyle, and says that sunscreen is an important part of her routine. “I've recently learned the value of protecting my skin with sunscreen. Previous sunscreens I've tried felt oily and like something was on my face all day. Shiseido's Urban Environment Sunscreen has become a new favorite because it's a barely-there base. I don't even notice that I am wearing it, which is perfect. I'm a massive fan of the Essential Energy Moisturizer too; I use it every morning and night.”

6. Josh Andres Rivera

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Josh Andres Rivera played Sejanus Plinth in the film. He will also play Aaron Hernandez in American Sports Story. Rivera revealed to Men’s Journal that the production set him up with trainers to get him in shape for the role. “Working out is fun when it’s studio-subsidized. I wanted to get into shape anyway and now I have all this help.”

7. Jason Schwarztman

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Jason Schwartzman played Lucky Flickerman in the film. He talked about his career in an interview with Parade. “The best part of my journey, I suppose, is to be here right now. I’m very fortunate to have worked and have had a career of anything. I grew up in high school, I was a major fan of things. Music and movies were very important to me. If I could in any way be part of anything that a 15-year-old kid likes, that makes me feel good. I can’t describe it, but that’s something.”

8. Max Raphael

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Max Raphael played the role of Festus Creed in the film. He booked the part while in college, and talked about filming it to The Tab. “I’m still grateful for my time there – the people I met helped me keep a foot in the ‘real world’ so to speak. I think I would have lost my head otherwise. The film scene at UCL also came in handy, the people who ‘get it’ on both ends are some of the folks I met at uni that I value most.'