The 'Friends' alum and other leading actresses including Naomi Watts lift the lid on the unseen frustrations of audition rooms, revealing the awkward and uncomfortable realities behind Hollywood's glitz and glamour.
- May 31, 2024
AceShowbiz - Jennifer Aniston and Naomi Watts recently opened up about their uncomfortable experiences with auditioning in Hollywood, shedding light on the often unspoken challenges that actors face. During a roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Aniston, Watts, and other esteemed actresses, including Brie Larson, Sofia Vergara, and Nicole Kidman, shared candid insights into their struggles and how they have managed them over the years.
For Jennifer Aniston, the auditioning process has always been a nerve-wracking experience. She confessed, "When you're in an audition room, you're already at a disadvantage. Maybe you'd have chemistry with this person if you were in a different environment and not, like, 'Create chemistry. Ready? Go!' "
Aniston further elaborated on her discomfort with chemistry tests, adding, "So, if you're a nervous auditioner to begin with, to then say, 'Now let's have you make out with a complete stranger,' it's very uncomfortable."
Naomi Watts echoed Aniston's sentiments, recounting a particularly awkward audition. "I was auditioning and I didn't get the job, so clearly I did not do a good make-out. It was with a very well-known actor. It was mortifying because we didn't hear a 'cut,' and it just kept going," she recalled. Watts added, "Then they were like, 'OK, OK.' And we both were like, 'Oh, sorry, we didn't hear...' I did feel a bit rattled."
The discussion also revealed how these experiences have influenced the actresses' approach to their work. Aniston shared that she often feels insecure about her acting skills, admitting, "Every time I go to work, even when I start the next season of The Morning Show, I'll think, 'I don't know how to do this.' It's like I have absolutely zero memory of how to be an actor."
Despite these challenges, the actresses highlighted the importance of having a support system in the industry. Aniston credited Nicole Kidman for being a pillar of support during tough times, particularly while filming the 2011 comedy "Just Go With It." "When we did that movie in Hawaii, you helped me out on a lot of hard things that I was going through. Just to have that community, it's very helpful," she noted.
Both Aniston and Watts have no intention of crossing certain boundaries during auditions, especially when it comes to simulating intimacy. "If asked, I would never," Aniston declared. Her firm stance and candid revelations underline the need for more respectful and supportive casting processes in Hollywood, ensuring that actors can perform their best without unnecessary discomfort.
In an industry where the spotlight often masks the behind-the-scenes struggles, the honest accounts from Aniston, Watts, and their peers provide a refreshing perspective. Their stories call for a more humane approach to auditioning, one that fosters genuine chemistry and respect for actors' boundaries.
