Aspiring actors who wish to join Hollywood, never really know if their dream will come true, and it all feels like a gamble. The same was true with Glen Powell, who, unfortunately, did not have the luxury of elite connections to keep him afloat.
Glen Powell in a still from Hit Man | Netflix
His experiences are a harsh reality check, that shows how easy it is for children of industry insiders to walk through any doors, and have access to the best projects, simply because of their lineage. However, outsiders like Powell, have to fight for every opportunity, and stardom is never served in a silver platter for them.
The Harsh Reality: Glen Powell’s Grueling Journey to Hollywood
Glen Powell | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube
In a world where nepotism is rampant, getting an audition is like winning a lottery, and Glen Powell knows this struggle all too well. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he reflected upon his early years and the difficulties he went through.
I’d hit random people up and I’d try to drum up money for other people’s shorts to turn them into features, or I’d try to hunt down stuff and pitch people to get a small role in things.
His journey was far from glamorous, as he was short on funds, and relentlessly grinding to land a role. More than art and expression, it was about survival, and he had to work odd jobs to keep his dream alive.
In LA, you are really just hustling to just try to be a part of the experiment at all. People are like, “Oh man, auditioning must be tough.” And I’m like, “No, auditioning is a luxury.”
Eventually, the smallest part in The Dark Knight Risesbecame a breakthrough for him, and the experience of that role kept him going through dark times.
Glen Powell’s Survival in Hollywood and Nepotism
Glen Powell | The Late Late Show with James Corden/YouTube
When Powell was working hard, he would fall back on small roles, like doing an episode of NCIS to pay the bills. But today, even getting these small roles does not provide any financial help for young actors as it once did. He lived frugally to keep himself afloat and made the most of whatever little parts he could find.
My overhead’s not high. You’re not living a lavish lifestyle. You’re hiding a flask in your boot if you go out for a drink. You’re not necessarily able to afford anything significant in that town, but you are able to stay there. Those little jobs, like getting a commercial, keep life in the system.
On the contrary, children of elites are showered with opportunities even when they haven’t proven themselves. Getting an audition is a piece of cake for them, and there’s no financial strain either. Powell’s story is a reminder of how nepotism continues to divide Hollywood, where not all roads to stardom are paved equally.
