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Celebrity

23rd Apr 2024

Anne Hathaway shares the wild ‘chemistry test’ actors had to do in the 2000s

Jody Coffey

Anne Hathaway

While the glitz and glam of Hollywood is alluring, once again, a darker side to showbiz has come to light

Anne Hathaway has exposed a long-forgotten and ‘gross’ method that was used for casting actors in films in the 2000s.

Before two actors are cast in a film together, they are, justifiably, made to complete a series of tests to ensure they are both right for the role.

However, some practices were more extreme and inappropriate than others.

When the One Day star was just a young and aspiring actress, she underwent ‘gross’ tasks to reach her dreams.

For one, in the 2000s, a ‘chemistry test’ was the done thing to determine if actors shared on-screen chemistry, which many would agree is necessary.

However, many wouldn’t agree when learning what a ‘chemistry test’ actually entailed over two decades ago.

“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,” she told V Magazine.

“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.”

Credit: Getty

Sadly, Hathaway, who had come to learn that not vocalising not wanting to do something could translate to being ‘difficult’, so just ‘got on with it’.

“And I was so young and terribly aware how easy it was to lose everything by being labelled ‘difficult’.

“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,” The Devil Wears Prada actress continued.

However, for her upcoming role in The Idea Of You, she said no kissing-style-chemistry test was required for her on-screen romance with Nicholas Galitzine.

“I remember laughing when Nick walked in because he was so ridiculously perfect for the part.

“I just thought, ‘He is it.'”

The romantic comedy is set to debut on  May 2, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video.

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