Jessica Biel, the talented and stunning American actress best known for her breakout role in 7th Heaven, recently opened up about an awkward and hilarious audition moment that almost derailed her acting career before it began.
The 43-year-old star shared the behind-the-scenes story on the Catching Up With the Camdens podcast, where she recalled the unconventional decision she made to stand out during her audition for the role of Mary Camden.
Jessica revealed that she tried to capture the sporty essence of her character by mimicking a basketball trick—without an actual ball. “The Mary character was spinning a basketball on her finger,” Jessica explained with a laugh. “So I did that in the audition without a basketball. What a choice. Like, who encouraged me to do that?”
Although the move felt ridiculous in hindsight, Jessica admitted that it may have worked in her favor. “I kind of still feel embarrassed about that, but maybe it was effective,” she added. “I remember thinking, ‘Cool character,’ because she’s a basketball player, and I was an athlete. I felt connected to her.”
Jessica’s down-to-earth personality shone through as she reflected on the moment that could’ve gone either way. Fans praised her honesty and vulnerability, as well as her willingness to laugh at herself even years later.
In a previous episode of the same podcast, Jessica also shared a wild story about crashing her parents’ car and nearly hitting her brother while filming on set—another example of her candid approach to storytelling.
Now a seasoned actress, wife, and mother, Jessica Biel continues to reflect on her early years in Hollywood with humor and grace, proving that even awkward moments can lead to lasting success.