The Shortlist for Jan. 3

Jennifer Lawrence: Acting 'Is Stupid'

"Not to sound rude, but [acting] is stupid." So says Jennifer Lawrence, who, in Vanity Fair's new cover story, sounds more down-to-earth than your average 22-year-old waitress, despite being the No. 1 object of Hollywood's affection in 2013. "Everybody's like, 'How can you remain with a level head?' And I'm like, 'Why would I ever get cocky? I'm not saving anybody's life,'" she continues. "There are doctors who save lives and firemen who run into burning buildings. I'm making movies. It's stupid.'"

Said stupidity, however, apparently only relates to J.Law's view of her own career. When it comes to her heroes, it's a whole different ball game. The "Hunger Games" star -- who, by the way, owns that bow and arrow she used as Katniss Everdeen -- admits that she's "terrified" of interacting with her idols, because she's afraid she might do something weird. For example? After being introduced to Bill Maher once at an event, Meryl Streep breezed into the room. "I literally put my hand right in Bill Maher's face and said, 'Not now, Bill!' and I just stared at Meryl Streep," she says. Asked if she introduced herself to Streep, she quips: "Of course not. I just creepily stared at her." (VF)