Gracie Abrams has revealed that receiving the invitation to audition for Halina Reijn’s forthcoming film Please left her feeling utterly frightened and overwhelmed for her life.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the singer behind That’s So True would make her acting debut by taking the lead in Please, the next project from the director known for Babygirl.
Explaining how the opportunity came about, Gracie shared on The New York Times’ Popcast that she first met Reijn over breakfast three years ago, and the pair clicked in a way that felt electric.
When the filmmaker later reached out about a new script, three years on, Gracie initially thought she was being asked to offer her thoughts, not that she might be considered for the lead role.
“When she reached out, I didn’t think she was asking me to read it and potentially audition for it; I just figured she wanted me to read it,” she recalled. “Reading her work was the best day ever, and it moved me so much, so quickly. I called her back right away, basically raving, and that started the audition process.”
The 26-year-old admitted she was terrified at the prospect of auditioning because she had “no experience in that realm,” but she was determined to seize the chance.
“When she asked if I wanted to audition, I felt a silent scream inside me—so scared for my life—yet it was such an amazing opportunity, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, going home that night and thinking, I got to read her words and she was in the room and she’s brilliant,” she explained.
The performer behind Hit the Wall noted that she auditioned for the part “many, many times” and felt grateful to be given the opportunity.
“During each round, I kept thinking how cool it was to glimpse this version of the circus and, for some reason, she was letting me try,” she added.
Although filming on the top-secret project hasn’t begun yet, Gracie described the process as “already very humbling,” and she felt both nervous and excited about starting production.
IMDb reports that the movie will also feature English actors Tom Burke and David Jonsson, along with Connor Storrie, who recently gained attention with Heated Rivalry.
