Jennifer Lawrence defends director David O. Russell over 'tabloid malarkey' after reports of huge 'screaming' match

The social-media shy actress took to Facebook to defend O’Russell as one of her 'closest friends'

Jennifer Lawrence says David O. Russell is one of her closest friends (Getty Images )

Jennifer Lawrence has defended director David O. Russell over “tabloid malarkey” after reports emerged that they had been involved in a huge argument on the set of her upcoming film Joy.

Lawrence made a rare appearance on social media to defend the Silver Linings Playbook director following a report by TMZ that quoted an eyewitness claiming he was “screaming at her” during filming. The witness claimed his tirade was “ear-piercing and laced with profanities”.

The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings and was nominated for another for her performance in his film American Hustle, quickly leapt to his defence on Friday.

"It's Jen! I know I don't go on here a lot because I can barely work email but there's been a terrible rumour going around the last 24 hours so I wanted to clear it up," she told her 12.7 million followers.

"David O. Russell is one of my closest friends and we have an amazing collaborative working relationship. I adore this man and he does not deserve this tabloid malarkey. This movie is going great and I'm having a blast making it.”

It is not clear exactly which reports Lawrence is referring to in her post.

A representative for Fox 2000, the film’s studio, confirmed to TMZ that there was screaming, but claimed it was preparation for a scene in which Lawrence would “scream at someone”.