In a recent interview with V Magazine, renowned actor Anne Hathaway disclosed an unsettling experience from the early 2000s where she was compelled by producers of a film to engage in a series of kissing auditions with potential co-stars.

Hathaway expressed her dismay at the practice, highlighting how it was once deemed acceptable to test on-screen chemistry by having actors kiss each other, a method she found distasteful.

During the audition process, Hathaway recounted being informed that she would be required to kiss 10 different men that day as part of the casting procedure.

Despite feeling uncomfortable and questioning her own reactions, she felt pressured not to appear difficult or uncooperative in fear of jeopardizing her career.

As someone who has since taken on a producer role in her projects, including her upcoming film featuring Nicholas Galitzine, Hathaway emphasized the importance of evolving audition techniques.

In contrast to the former intimate auditions, she described a more creative and collaborative approach where actors were asked to select a song representing their character’s essence, leading to spontaneous dance performances instead of forced physical interactions.

Galitzine, Hathaway’s co-star in the forthcoming movie, also shared his perspective on their unique audition experience, describing a deep connection and shared humor that instantly formed between them.

This organic chemistry, he explained, transcended mere acting and created a genuine bond that enhanced their performances.

The significance of establishing authentic chemistry between actors during auditions is widely acknowledged in the film industry.

However, the methods employed, such as intimate chemistry tests without adequate supervision, have raised concerns about boundaries and professionalism.

Instances like the Twilight audition, where Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were directed to kiss on a bed during casting, underscore the complexities and potential pitfalls of such practices.

Despite the unorthodox nature of chemistry auditions, success stories like Stewart and Pattinson’s on-screen and off-screen chemistry leading to the iconic Twilight franchise demonstrate the potential outcomes of these casting decisions.

The evolving understanding of consent, boundaries, and professionalism in the entertainment industry continues to shape the ways in which actors are paired and chemistry is cultivated on screen.