‘10 Guys Coming’: Anne Hathaway Slams ‘Gross’ Chemistry Tests She Went Through

Summary:

• Anne Hathaway got candid about old-school chemistry tests in the 2000s.
• According to the actress, she’d sometimes have to kiss with a bunch of guys auditioning for the role of her on-screen partner.
• Despite there being no ill intent behind those methods, they were incredibly uncomfortable, and Hathaway is glad that practice is gone today.

The ethics of the movie industry has changed dramatically over the past decades, and especially when it comes to women’s position in it. There’s much more respect, stability, and security today than it used to be even 20 years ago, and both actors and actresses have come to appreciate it. It’s wild how not too long ago, there were no intimate scene coordinators — or even basic decency protocols during screening.

Anne Hathaway Slams Old Chemistry Tests

A world-famous superstar now, Anne Hathaway’s acting career was only beginning at the start of this century. To receive her most iconic breakthrough gigs, the actress had to go through countless auditions, screenings, and chemistry tests — and according to her, they were extremely frustrating and uncomfortable back in the day.

“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! 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,” Hathaway told V magazine.

Unfortunately, there was no option to say no to such a discomforting prospect, either; not then, and not in the position young Anne Hathaway was in.

You Could Refuse Gross Chemistry Tests

Unlike today, Anne Hathaway was effectively a no one at the start of the 2000s — and, like all other aspiring actors, she was terrified of losing her career over being too picky and demanding. So like her young colleagues, she just rolled with it.

“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 actress explained.

Indeed, it’s no one’s dream to get sloppy with a long row of complete strangers for a role; so we’re glad that times have changed and the movie industry learned to at least somewhat respect aspiring actors — or make proper chemistry tests, at that.

Source: V