pov: You get asked to audition for a supermodel in a Netflix Show…

Yes, you heard that right. Our main girl Mimi got asked to audition for a Netflix show a few weeks ago. Now, I can neither confirm nor deny whether I've heard back about this opportunity yet. But let me take you back a few weeks to when I first got the call…

I was in my studio, sewing as per. I basically live, eat, breathe, and sleep around my sewing machine. Anyway, I was sewing my brains out when I got a call from one of my best friends - who also happens to be signed to my agency. She calls me and says,“OMG I’ve just heard from (our agent) and she wants me to audition for this super confidential acting job!”

Basically, she had to remain confidential about all the details. After calming her down about the fact she’d have to be more than just her gorgeous self, she’d actually have to act, I refreshed my inbox.

I had the exact same email. In all its glory, I read through the details and the attached script. The character was kind of narcissistic - but not in a cunty way, more like a cringey “ew she’s obsessed with herself” way. Either way, my eyes lit up when I read the payment details, and I got to work memorising the lines. Netflix cut me a cheque please xxx

There was an option to self-tape at home. Or we could trek into the agency where the agents would help us with the filming process. We both chose to film it in person the next day, with the support of each other, it wouldn't be as embarrassing. Or so we thought.

I tried to channel the character, and for the full purpose of respecting Netflix confidentiality agreements, let’s call her Gemma. Gemma is this angsty teen supermodel, who's mindblowingly stunning, has been on the cover of Vogue twelve times, always booked solid for Fashion Week, and has never had a bad hair day. I was so sure I could channel this for the audition.

Bear in mind: I am no actress. I model & i keep my mouth shut most of the time while doing it. This was way out of my comfort zone. But a lesson we all have to learn sooner or later is that comfort zones end up killing us in some way or another, our dreams, our progress, our life! So to step away from that, I said: “Fuck it. Let’s do it.”

all imagery is gathered from pinterest - all rights reserved to owners of imagery

When I arrived at the agency the next day, I felt ready. Rehearsed. Ridicule-free.

Of course, this quickly changed the second I made eye contact with my friend who arrived after me, we both lost it. The second-hand embarrassment became real.

We read lines together while waiting for the filming room to become free, and I got a sense of how she interpreted Gemma. And may I just say (not to toot my own horn) but I defo had it in the bag over her.

Out of curiosity, we asked the agents how many people were up for the part. To our surprise? Just me and her. Crazy.

Considering not even five days earlier we were on holiday in Copenhagen together, and now we were going head-to-head for a Netflix role. Maybe I’m too sentimental, but it felt too coincidental. Especially because we’re polar opposites in the looks department. It was nothing short of fate.

Now, even though I had arrived earlier, I went second (classic). So off she went to film and, after what felt like fifty minutes, she came back. Red in the face, laughing, shaking her head at me. “That was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do,” she announced. That was really the cherry on top to fill me with confidence, so off I went…

When I arrived to the filming studio, it wasn’t just one agent -  there were two. This meant business if two had taken the time to help me. I really felt the pressure. One read the other character’s lines, and one was filming. 

I actually don’t want to put myself down - because genuinely, I think I could be a great actress if I tried and got out of my own head. My expression is good (as I was kindly told during this process), and I don’t over-announce like some actors.

The one thing that got to me? My anxiety.

I kept messing up. Midway through one of the three scenes, I’d cringe myself out and audibly voice it.

Like my embarrassment just couldn't be contained. It was a three-scene script meant to show different sides of Gemma’s character. On the fifth or sixth try, I finally got to the end of Scene 3, all in one take!

And then… forgot the final line. Perfect.

The main agent was getting visibly annoyed with me at this point, but I had warned her. I was the girl who, in primary school, got cast as the female lead in the Year 6 play… and then went home and spent three hours trying (and failing) to sing the first verse of my solo to my mum. I couldn’t sing the first line without laughing as an escape tactic.

This is a bit different to what I was thinking I would write about but I think it’s an important message! Anxiety can manifest in so many different ways. Sometimes the loudest, most “annoying” person in the room is just anxious and conveying it in a way others may not recognise. Sometimes, we sabotage ourselves because the pressure to not mess up only makes us mess up more.

I got through it in the end and I was hopeful that I’d done well enough to be considered for the next stage of casting. But even if not, I left with a sense of relief. I knew I had put my all into it and could honestly say I had done my best. And at the end of the day, your best is all you can do.

Do you think Mimi got it?

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• duh
• nope

It’s a story to tell either way, and here I am telling it now. 

I can proudly say now that I've experienced auditioning for Netflix - something I'm sure most people can’t say.

with love, mimi

xox