Joe Jonas Details “Crash and Burn” Audition for The Morning Show

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Joe Jonas knows better than anyone that we’re only human.

One of the Jonas Brothers shared a story about a disastrous audition, proving that even famous performers have their struggles sometimes.

Oh my gosh, you guys will NOT believe this! He was talking on their podcast, Hey Jonas, and he started to tell us what he was auditioning for! Nick immediately started guessing, and it was SO exciting – he threw out Wicked and Spider-Man! I was practically screaming! It was everything.

Joe was understandably reluctant to dwell on what he didn’t receive, and honestly, I get it – sometimes it’s better to focus on the positives! But, being the playful brother he is, Kevin Jonas couldn’t resist a little teasing, pointing out a couple of things Joe had missed. It’s all brotherly love, you know?

The audition was actually for the show The Morning Show, featuring Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, and Billy Crudup.

“Long story short,” the middle Jonas continued, “I show up early, and they did this thing, which was very kind, they’re like, ‘Oh, we have a private room for you.’ And this is the saddest room you can imagine.”

Joe went on to say that he could distinctly hear everyone auditioning, and they were all performing exceptionally well.

In contrast, the 36-year-old’s attempt to land a role on the Apple TV+ show wasn’t quite up to par.

“I go in,” Joe recalled, “And I just crash and burn.”

After Nick, who’s been in several movies and TV shows—including the new film Power—comforted his older brother by saying everyone has bad auditions, he playfully asked Joe if his audition for The Morning Show was the worst he’d ever had.

The DNCE singer mentioned one of those projects didn’t quite succeed.

He said, “Wicked was a little unusual. I could clearly hear some amazing singers during the performance.”

Nick always had his brother’s back, and he remembered one time when he went to an audition thinking he was meeting with the producer. He quickly found out, though, that the producer was actually also the director.

I was pitching a film idea in a meeting the other day, explaining my vision for the project. I was going along, feeling good, and then I casually asked who was going to direct. You won’t believe it – he said, ‘Well, me!’ It was a total surprise, to say the least. Sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them, and it really highlighted the importance of being open to unexpected twists.

“I wanted to die inside at that moment,” Nick said. “I did die inside.”

Even Kevin had a horror story, dating back to when the trio were younger. 

The person auditioning me told me, ‘Let’s try a different approach, because it’s obvious you don’t have any acting experience.’ I just responded, ‘Too bad,’ or something to that effect.

The Jonas Brothers aren’t the only celebrities who auditioned for parts they didn’t get. Here are some other examples.

Miles Teller, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, auditioned for several parts on Friday Night Lights, even trying out for the role that ultimately went to Taylor Kitsch.

The Star Trek actor lost out on the role, which ultimately went to Ben McKenzie, due to his bad acne.

He shared on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Happy Sad Confused, in May 2024 that he struggled with bad skin both as a teenager and again after finishing college.

Looking back, accepting that role is honestly my biggest regret. I said this in an interview a few years ago. At the time, I was really questioning if I wanted to do television. It sounds silly now, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for that commitment back then. I was at a point where I just didn’t know if TV was the right path for me.

Casting director David Rapaport revealed to EW that he initially wanted Alden Ehrenreich for the role of Dan, but producers felt Ehrenreich, who is 5’9″, wasn’t tall enough to be Blake Lively’s on-screen love interest. Ultimately, the role went to Penn Badgley, who is roughly the same height as Ehrenreich, according to online sources.

In his 2014 memoir, and later on Marc Maron’s podcast, actor Rob Lowe shared that he declined the role that eventually went to Patrick Dempsey on Grey’s Anatomy. He jokingly estimated the decision cost him around $70 million, but added, “It’s just money.” Lowe explained that he saw the pilot episode and when the character was nicknamed ‘McDreamy,’ he knew it wasn’t a good fit for him.

Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his roles in Sherlock and as Doctor Strange, once tried out for the part of the vampire Bill Compton. Ultimately, the role went to Stephen Moyer.

Before becoming an Academy Award nominee, Jessica Chastain auditioned for the role of Sookie Stackhouse, but Anna Paquin ultimately landed the part.

When she was 17, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of Crystal Norris, a werepanther, and was a strong contender. However, because of her age, the role ultimately went to Lindsay Pulsipher.

Tiffani Thiessen, known for her roles on shows like Saved By the Bell and Beverly Hills, 90210, revealed she tried out for the part of Rachel on Friends. However, producers felt she was too young for the role.

Katherine Langford, known for her role in 13 Reasons Why, actually auditioned for the part of Betty Cooper on Riverdale. Camila Mendes, who plays Veronica on the show, shared that she and other actors met with potential cast members, including Langford, while getting falafel with someone auditioning to play Archie.

Most fans can’t picture anyone but Jennifer Love Hewitt as Jen Lindley, but series creator Kevin Williamson recently shared with Entertainment Weekly that Katherine Heigl was a strong contender for the part. Steve Miner, who directed the pilot episode, suggested Heigl – whom he’d worked with in his 1994 film, My Father the Hero. Williamson remembers Heigl appearing more mature for her age and delivering a fantastic audition. “We were all really impressed,” he said.

Katie Holmes became a star thanks to her role as Joey Potter, Dawson Leery’s friend and love interest, but she almost didn’t get the part. According to the show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, Selma Blair was originally cast in the role. However, Williamson told Entertainment Weekly that a last-minute audition tape from Katie Holmes, sent from her family’s basement in Toledo, Ohio, completely changed his mind and ultimately led to her being cast.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by ‘what if’ scenarios in Hollywood! It’s incredible to learn that Kristin Davis – yes, the same one from House and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce – almost played Carrie Bradshaw! She actually had a fully signed contract, waiting in the wings while producers hoped Sarah Jessica Parker would accept the role. Kristin explained it was really a done deal for her if Sarah Jessica didn’t say yes. It’s wild to think about now, because we all picture SJP as Carrie, but Kristin’s story totally makes sense – she was ready to go!

Originally, The CW considered Ashley Olsen for the role of the fashionable Serena van der Woodsen, but casting director David Rapaport was determined to cast Blake Lively. He told Buzzfeed he worried they wouldn’t be able to get Lively, or that she wouldn’t be a good fit, because he believed the show’s success depended on her and he didn’t have a backup plan.

The CW initially wanted Rumer Willis, who would later win Dancing With the Stars, to star in Gossip Girl. However, casting director Rapaport felt she wasn’t the right fit for the role and eventually cast her on 90210 instead. He explained to Buzzfeed that he wanted to protect the show’s investment by choosing lesser-known actresses who truly embodied the spirit of Gossip Girl and ultimately made the show a success for six seasons. He praised Willis, noting she’s become a fantastic actress and person.

Before Keke Palmer landed her role on the comedy-horror series Scream Queens, she was a contender to play Iris West on The Flash. Ultimately, the part went to Candice Patton. Casting director David Rapaport explained to Buzzfeed that while they liked Candice from the start, they weren’t ready to make a decision. They then tested Keke Palmer and another actress, but both seemed too young to play opposite Grant Gustin. When they brought Candice back for another audition, Rapaport said there was an immediate connection.

Iwan Rheon recently shared with The Telegraph that he was a finalist for the role of Jon Snow during the initial casting of Game of Thrones. Ultimately, Rheon ended up playing Ramsay Snow – a character many viewers came to despise – while Kit Harington became beloved as Jon Snow. It’s hard to picture things any other way!

Josh Schwartz, who worked with Chris Pratt on the last season of The O.C., shared that Pratt was originally his top pick for the lead role in Chuck. However, Pratt ended up becoming famous as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy instead. Schwartz joked that it all worked out for the best, adding that Pratt is a genuinely good person.

Katie Holmes, known for her role on Dawson’s Creek, spoke with Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan when the show was first being developed, Kohan shared. While Holmes was a fan of the series, Kohan told TopMob News that she was busy with other commitments at the time. Kohan also noted that, in the early stages, it wasn’t yet clear what Orange Is the New Black would become.

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! Cobie Smulders – Cobie Smulders! – told me that she originally auditioned for the role of Kate on Lost! Can you even imagine?! Apparently, she almost didn’t become Robin Scherbatsky on How I Met Your Mother. Seriously, two of my absolute favorite shows could have been SO different! It’s mind-blowing to think about!

I remember reading an interview with Cobie Smulders where she talked about auditioning for Lost alongside Evangeline Lilly! Apparently, Cobie totally flubbed her audition, and Evangeline ended up getting the part. Cobie joked that Evangeline owed her one because her bad audition actually helped Evangeline shine!

While most people think of Julianna Margulies as the star of The Good Wife, she wasn’t the first choice for the role. The Emmy-winning actress recently shared that the studio initially considered Ashley Judd and Helen Hunt before offering her the part.

It’s difficult to picture anyone but Sarah Michelle Gellar as the vampire hunter in Sunnydale, but Katie Holmes was originally offered the lead role on the WB series. She decided to focus on finishing high school instead, which led to Gellar getting the part.

Edie Falco ultimately landed the role, but Lorraine Bracco was initially offered it. Bracco declined, explaining she’d already played a similar character in Goodfellas and was looking for a new challenge.

Before becoming famous for her role on the show Empire, Taraji P. Henson shared that she once auditioned for the part of Olivia Pope on Scandal. She admitted that when she went to read for Shonda Rhimes, she felt it was clearly a role meant for Kerry Washington and wondered why she was even considered. She knew the part belonged to Washington.

Believe it or not, Gillian Anderson—best known as Agent Scully from The X-Files—was offered a part in Downton Abbey. She ultimately decided against it, and the role went to Elizabeth McGovern instead.

 

As a lifestyle expert, I often get asked about casting choices, and this one is fascinating! Believe it or not, Nina Dobrev wasn’t the first actress The CW considered for the role of Elena Gilbert. Apparently, they initially had someone else in mind. It was after revisiting Nina’s audition tape – really taking a second look at what she brought to the character – that the producers realized she was the perfect fit. Honestly, now I can’t picture anyone else in that role! She completely embodied Elena.

The famous singer was offered the main part in a show starring Bill Cosby, but she decided to focus on her music instead.

For fans of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker will always be Carrie Bradshaw, but surprisingly, Dana Delany was originally offered the part. The Emmy-winning actress turned it down because she’d already appeared in several projects with adult themes – like Nude Girls and Exit to Eden – and didn’t want to take on a show that prominently featured “sex” in its title.

Jerry Seinfeld offered Paul Shaffer, David Letterman’s bandleader, a job on his show without asking for an audition, but Shaffer didn’t respond to the offer.

I was so surprised to hear this! Apparently, AMC really wanted Jane to play Don Draper, but Jon Hamm actually turned down the role because he wasn’t interested in doing television at the time. It’s funny, because he ended up becoming a huge TV star himself with Hung on HBO!

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2026-05-27 19:50