STREEP’S SHOCKING SNUB: The insulting Audition that Detraied Her King Kong Dreams… Read more

STREEP’S SHOCKING SNUB: The insulting Audition that Detraied Her King Kong Dreams

Meryl Streep, known as Hollywood royalty and the record-holder for the most Academy Award nominations, experienced a notably awkward audition that nearly cost her a significant role.

On *The Graham Norton Show in 2015, she recounted a cringe-inducing moment during her audition for the 1975  King Kong  remake, which took a turn for the worse due to an unkind comment from the film’s producer.

In the mid-1970s, while Streep was gaining recognition on Broadway and eager to transition to film, legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis Sr. offered her a chance. His son, impressed by her theatrical performances, wanted to introduce the 26-year-old to his father for the role of the iconic damsel, initially portrayed by Fay Wray. However, things quickly soured. As Streep entered the room filled with hope, De Laurentiis Sr. expressed his disdain, murmuring in Italian that she was “ugly” and questioning his son’s choice to bring her.

The twist? Streep, having studied Italian, understood every word. Unfazed, she confidently responded, “I’m very sorry that I’m not beautiful enough… to be in *King Kong*.” De Laurentiis’ comments revealed his misguided belief that actresses were inferior and naive about such remarks. He underestimated Streep’s intelligence, mistakenly thinking American actors were oblivious to other languages. In a 2014 NPR interview, she noted that his attitude stemmed from a perception that “actresses are stupid” and a general disdain for American intelligence.

Ultimately, Streep’s resilience and talent led her to become a legendary figure in Hollywood, proving that one awkward audition and a dismissive producer couldn’t overshadow her brilliance.