The Graham Norton Show never fails to deliver entertaining and candid moments with some of the biggest celebrities in the entertainment industry. In a recent episode, Hollywood legend Meryl Streep opened up about her early auditions and the harsh criticism she faced.
Streep recalled a particularly awkward audition for the iconic role of the girl in “King Kong”. She was brought in by a man named Dino Dentes and his son, who had seen her in a play. However, when Streep entered the room, she overheard Dino saying in Italian, “Why did you bring me this ugly thing?” Ouch. Streep, understanding Italian, responded by telling him that she knew what he said and apologized for not being beautiful enough for the role. Talk about a sobering experience for a young actress!
Another awkward audition story came from British actor Tom Hiddleston. He revealed that he originally auditioned for the role of Thor, but was eventually cast as the mischievous Loki. Hiddleston’s audition was so impressive that the casting directors decided to create a new role specifically for him. Talk about turning a rejection into a major career breakthrough!
Speaking of auditions, actor Daniel Radcliffe shared a tip for aspiring actors. He advised them to leave the audition room as quickly as possible. According to Radcliffe, there’s no need to engage in small talk or try to impress the casting directors. Just do your thing and make a swift exit. He even admitted to using this tactic himself, although it backfired when he accidentally left before performing another scene. Well, nobody’s perfect!
But auditions aren’t just nerve-wracking for actors; even directors and producers like Jodie Comer have experienced their fair share of stress. Comer revealed that she now sits on the other side of auditions, watching tapes and witnessing the harsh critiques that actors face. It’s definitely an eye-opening experience for her.
The conversation took an interesting turn when Liam Neeson shared his audition experience for the role of the giant in “The Princess Bride”. Neeson met with director Rob Reiner and auditioned for the role. However, things didn’t quite go as planned when Reiner stopped him mid-scene, stating, “No, no, no! Your own voice!” Despite Neeson’s disappointment, he never got a call back for the role.
Eddie Redmayne also shared a memorable audition moment from his past. He revealed that he once auditioned for two roles in “Les Misérables” – Cosette and Eponine. Redmayne, who believed he had more of a Cosette look but the vocal range of Eponine, underwent a drastic transformation for the audition. They painted his teeth brown and gave him big circles under his eyes. To make matters worse, he had just eaten garlic bread before meeting his co-star and eventual audition partner, Taylor Swift.
In an unexpected twist, Taylor Swift also had an audition story to share. She revealed that she auditioned for Winona Ryder’s role in a movie but didn’t get the part. However, she humorously added that she probably had a better chance of getting Ryder’s role than Meryl Streep did.
These tales from the audition room prove that even the most talented actors and actresses face rejection and uncomfortable moments. It’s reassuring to know that even Hollywood’s biggest stars have experienced their fair share of awkward auditions. So, if you’re an aspiring actor, take heed from their stories and remember that perseverance and a positive attitude can go a long way in this cutthroat industry.
