Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway has recently shed light on an unsettling audition practice that was prevalent in the early 2000s. In a candid interview with V magazine, Hathaway revealed that she was once asked to kiss 10 different male actors in a single day as a test for chemistry. The actress expressed her discomfort with the experience, labeling it as “gross” and an ineffective way to determine chemistry between actors.
“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 shared. “I was told, ‘We have 10 guys coming today and you’re cast. Aren’t you excited to make out with all of them?’ And I thought, ‘Is there something wrong with me?’ because I wasn’t excited. I thought it sounded gross,” she added.
Hathaway emphasized that she felt pressured to comply with the request despite her reservations. “I just pretended I was excited and got on with it. It wasn’t a power play; no one was trying to be awful or hurt me. It was just a very different time, and now we know better,” she explained.
While Hathaway’s experience highlights an inappropriate and outdated practice in the entertainment industry, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting actors’ boundaries and creating a safe and professional work environment for all.
Aside from her reflections on the audition process, Hathaway also shared details about her upcoming project, “The Idea of You.” Set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 2nd, the film stars Hathaway as Solene, a single mother who finds herself in a whirlwind romance with Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of the popular boy band August Moon. The film explores the complexities of their relationship as Solene navigates the challenges of Hayes’s fame and the scrutiny that comes with it.
