• Anne Hathaway's auditions haven't always been easy
  • She retells the story of how some went very awkwardly
  • Anne has learned many lessons since

Fast forward to 2024, Hathaway discusses her new role in 'The Idea of You' and the unique, less "gross" way chemistry was tested with co-star Nicholas Galitzine. Dive into this lively recount of Hollywood's evolving audition practices! 

Anne Hathaway has come a long way now

Remember the 2000s? Flip phones, low-rise jeans, and... kissing auditions? Yes, you heard it right! Anne Hathaway, the darling of the silver screen, recently took us down memory lane, revealing the rather "gross" method of chemistry testing she endured early in her career.

"I thought it sounded gross," Hathaway confessed, recalling how she was expected to lock lips with a lineup of ten men. Talk about an awkward day at the office! "I was told, ‘We have ten 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. And I was so young and terribly aware how easy it was to lose everything by being labeled ‘difficult,’ so 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." The story echoes of the entire #MeToo movement in Hollywood. The industry has been constantly shellshocked by allegations of strange and lude practices.

Anne was a big part of that movement herself.

Looking to the present now, Hathaway is not just in front of the camera but also calling the shots as a producer on her latest film.

This time around, chemistry testing got a wholesome makeover. Instead of the cringe-worthy make-out sessions, Hathaway and her co-star, the charming Nicholas Galitzine, swayed to the tunes of Alabama Shakes in a dance-off that would make anyone's heart flutter.

"It was just easy," Hathaway reminisced, proving that sometimes, all you need is a good beat and a genuine smile to spark on-screen magic.

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Anne Hathaway's journey from kissing auditions to dance improvisations is more than just a quirky anecdote; it's a testament to how far Hollywood has come in respecting actors' boundaries and dignity. Hathaway's early experiences, though unsettling, didn't deter her spirit.

Instead, they paved the way for a more considerate and creative approach to testing on-screen chemistry. So, next time you see sparks flying between characters on screen, remember the dance-offs and genuine smiles that made it all happen.