Where Does Jennifer Lawrence Saying 'What Do You Mean' Come From? The Viral TikTok Meme Explained

Actress Jennifer Lawrence has inspired a viral new meme while promoting her latest movie, No Hard Feelings. The meme features Lawrence in a panic, repeating the phrase, "What do you mean?" It's being used on TikTok to represent that same confused and emotional state. But where does it come from? Here's what you need to know.

What Is Jennifer Lawrence's 'What Do You Mean' Meme?

In late June 2023, Jennifer Lawrence appeared on the spicy chicken wing-tasting YouTube talk show Hot Ones to promote her new comedy movie No Hard Feelings.

Near the end of the interview, right before Lawrence eats a wing doused in "the last dab," the final and one of the most spicy hot sauces on the show, she sees the host Sean Evans shaking the bottle. Already clearly distressed from the other sauces, she begins to weep, "What do you mean?" as Evans shakes the bottle to serve it, inadvertently creating a viral video in the process.

How Is Jennifer Lawrence's 'What Do You Mean' Used In Memes?

The clip of Lawrence panicking before the last dab went viral over the following days on sites like TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. On TikTok, it became a popular lip dub sound, used alongside captions about comedic panic-inducing, confusing or nerve-wracking situations.

The clip of Lawrence's reaction was also turned into a green screen format, allowing users to paste her into new situations alongside similar jokes. On Twitter, the clip is used in much the same way, where users attach it under funny quotes about panic-worthy situations.

@hanzememes #CapCut but seriously what th does it meannn??!?!?!? #jenniferlawrence #whatdoyoumean #hanzeuas #hanzehogeschool #groningen #studentlife #university #bestyearsofyourlife ♬ French music style, accordion, waltz – arachang

@thepokeplateau What Do You Mean? 😥 #funny #meme #jenniferlawrence #Pokemon #Yugioh #mtg ♬ original sound – The Poké Plateau

@kosmicmunchies im sorry y’all for the heartaches ive caused , i wont be doing it much longer dw 🙂 (that was a joke pls dont dm me lol) #hotones #jenniferlawrence #whatdoyoumean ♬ original sound – rubber-toe

@keepingupwithkelleyanne #CapCut #whatdoyoumean #jenniferlawrence #work #worklife #worklifebalance #retail #millennial #workingmillenial #worktok #trending #fyp #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – KelleyAnne

For the full history of Jennifer Lawrence's "What do you mean?" be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.