Hollywood's radiant star, Anne Hathaway, has shared insights into the unsettling demands of her early career and her journey to lasting success against the odds.
- Apr 23, 2024
AceShowbiz - In an incisive revelation to the public, Anne Hathaway, the veteran talent behind many of Hollywood's beloved films, has opened up about the daunting challenges she faced at the outset of her career.
With her latest production, "The Idea of You", set to capture hearts, Hathaway takes a moment to reflect on her journey, highlighting the "gross" realities of Hollywood's past practices and celebrating the shifting tides in industry norms that promise brighter futures for women in film.
In an intimate discussion with V Magazine, the 41-year-old actress delved into the peculiar and often uncomfortable chemistry tests that were commonplace in the 2000s.
"Back in the 2000s - and this did happen to me - it was considered normal to ask an actor to make out with other actors to test for chemistry, which is actually the worst way to do it," Hathaway revealed, recounting the bizarre expectation to kiss multiple auditionees in the name of professionalism.
Despite her discomfort, Hathaway, then at the dawn of her career, felt pressured to comply, fearing the professional suicide of being labelled "difficult." "I pretended I was excited and got on with it," she recalled.
Hathaway's early experiences in Hollywood were a stark contrast to the accolades and respect she commands today. Since her breakout role in the 2001 hit "The Princess Diaries", Hathaway has proven her versatility and depth as an actress in films such as "Ella Enchanted", "The Devil Wears Prada", and an Oscar-winning performance in "Les Miserables".
Yet, despite these triumphs, she reveals in an interview with PORTER how she was once warned her career might falter post-35 - a baseless caution, as her continued success firmly disproves.
Hathaway's insights not only shed light on the less glamorous facets of the film industry but also underline the progression toward better practices and inclusivity for women. Her story, woven with both adversity and accomplishment, stands as a beacon for younger generations, illustrating the industry's evolution and the resilience needed to navigate it.
"The thing that has evolved during [that time] is that more women are having careers deeper into their lives, which I think is fantastic," Hathaway remarks, hopeful and prideful for the future of Hollywood.
