Jennifer Aniston Draws the Line on Uncomfortable Audition Requests

Jennifer Aniston and other A-list actresses join forces to condemn the practice of making out with strangers during auditions.

In a candid discussion hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Aniston and her fellow actresses expressed their discomfort and disapproval over certain audition demands that have become prevalent in Hollywood.

Aniston asserted, "I have never been told you're going to lay down and..." before being interrupted by Nicole Kidman, who supplied the missing word: "simulate." Aniston firmly stated, "And if asked, I would never."

Naomi Watts shared a troubling experience where, after being asked to make out with a famous actor, the director grew irritated when he failed to yell cut. "You're already at a disadvantage in an audition room," she explained. "It's very uncomfortable to be asked to make out with a complete stranger."

Kidman echoed Aniston's sentiments, emphasizing that chemistry between actors should not solely rely on the actors themselves. "There's a way you can shoot things. I think just relying on chemistry is lazy," she argued. "You can literally be directed through it."

Aniston recalled her early auditioning days, when she waitressed extensively before landing a break with a Bob's Big Boy commercial. "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," she stated.

Kidman supported Aniston's view, arguing that actors can have chemistry on screen even if they lack it in real life. She maintained that it should not be the actors' sole responsibility to create that connection.

In 2024, Anne Hathaway voiced her opposition to chemistry tests involving make-out sessions, describing it as "the worst way to do it." She admitted to pretending excitement during these tests to avoid being labeled as difficult.

However, as the producer of her latest film, "The Idea of You," Hathaway implemented a more respectful audition process. She requested that actors choose a song that their character would appreciate and dance together to it.

The actresses agreed that such practices were not acceptable and called for a shift in audition standards. They emphasized the need for a comfortable and fair environment where actors can showcase their abilities without being subjected to inappropriate requests.

Aniston and her fellow actresses have sparked a much-needed conversation about the boundaries that should be observed during auditions, ensuring greater respect for actors and a more professional and ethical industry.