After Peeta asks for separate coaching, Katniss feels both hurt and relieved, deciding that trust between tributes is dangerous anyway. Effie spends hours drilling Katniss on presentation for the televised interviews, forcing her to practice walking in heels, handling a dress, smiling, and making eye contact. Katniss resists the idea of charming viewers who are treating the Games like entertainment, and Effie warns that the audience must like her if she wants support.

Haymitch then tries to shape Katniss's interview persona, because her public image will affect what sponsors he can attract. He points out that Peeta is naturally likable, while Katniss often seems angry and closed off. Katniss cannot fake charm, humor, arrogance, or humility, because her hatred of the Capitol and the Games keeps breaking through; Haymitch finally gives up and tells her to answer questions without showing how much she despises the audience.

That night, Katniss eats recklessly and smashes dishes in her room out of frustration. When the redheaded Avox girl comes in, Katniss lashes out, then breaks down over her guilt about failing to help the girl escape in the woods. The Avox silently tends Katniss's cuts and seems to indicate that helping would only have doomed Katniss too. Katniss helps clean the room, and the exchange gives her a brief sense of comfort and forgiveness.

The next day, Cinna and the prep team transform Katniss for the interview, dressing her in a gem-covered gown that makes her look like she is wrapped in fire. When Katniss admits Haymitch thinks she is hopeless, Cinna tells her to stop performing and simply answer honestly while looking at him as if speaking to a friend. That advice steadies Katniss enough to go onstage, where Caesar Flickerman helps her relax. By speaking truthfully about Capitol food, Cinna's designs, and especially Prim, Katniss wins over the crowd; her sincerity and fierce promise to try to win become her strongest appeal.

Peeta follows Katniss and immediately charms the audience with humor. Caesar turns the interview toward romance, and Peeta admits he has loved a girl from home for years. Then he reveals the crucial twist: winning will not help him, because the girl he loves came to the Capitol with him. The confession publicly ties his feelings to Katniss and changes how the audience will see District 12's tributes.