Renowned Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway recently delved into her early days of auditioning in a candid interview with V Magazine. Reflecting on the evolution of chemistry tests in auditions, she highlighted significant changes over the years. However, Hathaway also recounted an uncomfortable experience from the early 2000s when she was asked to engage in intimate scenes with multiple actors during auditions.
During that era, it was customary for actors to participate in physical chemistry tests, a practice Hathaway described as flawed.
“In the 2000s, and this was my experience, it was common to require actors to engage in physical intimacy to gauge chemistry. Which, frankly, is the least effective method,”
Hathaway voiced her discontent with this approach.
“I was informed, ‘We have ten guys scheduled today, and you’re the lead. Aren’t you thrilled to kiss them all?’ I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something wrong with me because I found the prospect distasteful. It left me feeling uneasy,”
she disclosed.
“Given my youth and a keen awareness of the consequences of being labeled ‘difficult,’ I chose to feign enthusiasm and soldiered through,”
she added.
Though prevalent at the time, this practice aimed to assess the rapport between potential co-stars.
Recently, at 41, Hathaway starred in the romantic comedy “The Idea of You.” Drawing from her own auditioning experiences, she sought to innovate the process, also serving as a producer for the film.
“We requested each actor to select a song they felt encapsulated their character’s essence, one that would prompt my character to dance. We then engaged in a brief improvisation,”
the “Alice in Wonderland” star revealed.