Actors know they won't get every role they audition for, but that doesn't mean the reasoning behind a casting choice is justified. And now, Elle Fanning is shining light on some of those decisions.
In the Hollywood Reporter's latest installment of their Actor Roundtable series, Elle opened up to Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jenna Ortega, Natasha Lyonne, Ayo Edebiri, and Devery Jacobs about the importance of having a good support system in the industry, while reflecting on an uncomfortable audition experience.
"I have an amazing manager and agent who’ve been with me since I was 8 or 9, same people, which is [rare]," Elle told THR.
"I was trying out for a movie. I didn't get it. But it was a father-daughter road-trip comedy."
"And there was someone involved with the project, that the feedback — which I didn't hear from my agents and things because they were very protective, they wouldn't tell me things like this — but I heard it from an outside party."
Elle went on to express her gratitude for the "filtration system" her team has set up when it comes to relaying messages to her. She believes there are probably "a lot more damaging comments" that have been said about her that never made it to her ears because of her team.
"But this [comment] got to me. I was 16 years old and this person said, 'Oh, she didn't get the father-daughter road-trip comedy because she's unfuckable.'"
"It's so disgusting," Elle added. "There are so many stories like this that I've heard and talked to people about. I laugh at it now, I'm like, 'What a disgusting pig!'"
The Great star said she always felt confident, even at a young age growing up in the public eye, so the comment ultimately had no affect on her self-esteem.
"I don’t feel like it damaged me, but it definitely made me very aware of myself."
Wow, I can only imagine some of the things said behind closed doors during these casting calls. But according to Elle, the movie was never made, so...karma.
Be sure to read the full interview with Elle and the rest of the actors on the Hollywood Reporter or watch all of the interviews below!
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Elle begins telling her story about the audition at the 17:14 mark.