Dakota Johnson has revealed that a small gesture at an audition ended up costing her a part — something she now considers ‘crazy.
Johnson is known for being straightforward, a trait many fans appreciate, but it hasn’t always worked in her favor.
Speaking to the UK’s Hits Radio while promoting her new film Splitsville, she discussed an earlier experience that left her stunned. The movie stars Johnson alongside Materialists actress, Adria Arjona, Michael Angelo Cavino and Kyle Marvin.
While Splitsville explores how oversharing can complicate relationships, Johnson said a situation rooted in social interaction unexpectedly derailed one of her own opportunities.
The 36-year-old explained that she once lost out on a role after greeting the people in the room with a handshake before performing her scene. What she viewed as basic courtesy was later framed very differently by those assessing her.
“I had an audition once, and it was a callback, and I went into the room, and I shook everyone’s hand and introduced myself. Then I did the scene, and I left,” Johnson said on the radio show. “The feedback I got was that because I had gone and introduced myself and shook everyone’s hand is that I was pompous.”
She said the gesture was interpreted as her trying to charm the decision-makers, suggesting she was overly confident and talking herself up.
Still confused by the reaction, Johnson added: “I didn’t get the job because they said that I was being cocky, but I just had manners… It was pretty crazy.”
After a clip from the interview was posted to the station’s YouTube channel, viewers weighed in, with many arguing the casting team’s judgment was unfair.
One person said: “If being polite means being cocky, that says a lot about them.”
Another wrote: “If she hadn’t, they’d probably say she was aloof. So hey.”
Someone else claimed: “I would think NOT shaking hands and introducing yourself would be cocky. Just goes to show that Hollywood is in it’s own reality.”
Johnson’s story also echoes other famous audition mishaps. Seth Rogen previously said he missed out on playing Cheddar Bob in Eminem’s 8 Mile because he couldn’t stop laughing during the read, according to Insider.
Rogen also recalled that Jason Segel didn’t land the role either, since he was reading with Rogen and neither actor could keep a straight face.
In other words, Johnson isn’t the only one to have had a job slip away for an unexpected reason.