In a jaw-dropping revelation that has Hollywood buzzing, Jessica Biel has opened up about one of the wildest auditions of her career — and it just happens to involve Ryan Gosling, a cult-classic romance, and a whole lot of fake blood.
Appearing on The View on May 21, the star of The Better Sister shocked fans by recalling her bizarre and unforgettable audition for the role of Allie in 2004’s timeless love story, The Notebook. Yes, that Notebook. And yes, opposite Ryan Gosling.
According to Jessica Biel, she was desperate for the role — calling it “the greatest option” for her career. But fate had a bloody twist in store. At the time, the Bleeding Heart actress was deep in filming the horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So when director Nick Cassavetes and Ryan Gosling came to audition her on set, Biel was — quite literally — drenched in blood.
“They came to my trailer, on location,” she recounted, laughing. “I took off my cowboy hat, covered in gore, and said, ‘Okay, I’d love to fall in love with you. Let’s do this.’” Yes, Jessica Biel tried to land the most romantic role in movie history while looking like she walked off a horror set.
The surreal moment didn’t land her the role — Rachel McAdams ultimately won hearts and the part — but the memory still haunts and humors Jessica Biel.
“It was such a weird, classic Hollywood moment,” she said, reflecting on the bloody audition with a grin.
This isn’t the first time Jessica Biel has spoken about her heartbreak over the lost role. In a 2011 interview with Elle, she confessed, “There’s a million that get away. We’re gluttons for punishment.”
But let’s be real: the idea of Jessica Biel in a tank top, dripping with stage blood, auditioning to fall in love in The Notebook? That’s one wild Hollywood “what-if” we’ll never forget.