West End stars take to Twitter for #ShareYourRejections

Over the weekend a variety of actors, writers and directors responded to the #ShareYourRejections hashtag on Twitter, reflecting on the times they persevered to get where they are. We've listed some of ours below just to show how brill the arts community really is.

"You won't make it"
"You're not right for tv"
You're not pretty enough"

I am so grateful for all the rejection I've received in my life. And believe me..I've had A LOT.
It made me fight harder for what I wanted. Made me even more determined to succeed. #ShareYourRejections

— hayley tamaddon (@hayleysoraya) August 17, 2018

I've been too young, too old, too classy, too rough, too big, too small, but my personal favourite? Too ‘Kate Winslet'....
Still mystified by that one... #ShareYourRejections
Just be you. Or Kate, in my case

— Dianne Pilkington (@dipilky) August 18, 2018

When I did get into one I was rejected by ‘voice' told I didn't have a good enough voice for theatre and definitely would never do Shakespeare.#ShareYourRejections https://t.co/l9snPHHgTO

— Jade Anouka (@JadeAnouka) August 17, 2018

I auditioned for Roxy Hart in Chicago 3 times before then years later I got the part, then got nominated for a @WhatsOnStage award #ShareYourRejections pic.twitter.com/RhtcJDwrVJ

— Suzanne Shaw (@SuzanneShaw) August 19, 2018

They said I would never make it as a professional dancer. Look at me now Mama. #ShareYourRejections #HatersGonnaHate pic.twitter.com/G1M0mQmExc

— Kaisa Hammarlund (@KaisaHammarlund) August 18, 2018

#ShareYourRejections My first agent got rid of me as he didn't think I was serious about being a writer. It gave me a kick up the arse and I wrote Beautiful Thing to show to prospective new agents

— Jonathan Harvey (@JOJEHARVEY) August 17, 2018

I literally never got a theatre job I applied for. Not a single job, scheme, prize or award. I self-produced, worked with dope folk, made some cool shit. I'm 34 years old & being Associate Director of @youngvictheatre is the first job I've ever "got". #ShareYourRejections

— Nadia Latif (@HerrDirector) August 17, 2018

Auditioned year 1 for Les Mis, didn't get recalled.
Year 2, made it three rounds before being told I wasn't connecting enough to the character.
Year 3.. made it to finals for ensemble. Later told it was a no.
Year 4..
5..
6th year.. got the role of Eponine.#ShareYourRejections pic.twitter.com/mYsnRrqfZ5

— s a b r i n a a l o u e c h e (@sabrinaaloueche) August 18, 2018

1st MT audition as an adult, I was told my "voice isn't strong enough". I called my agent said maybe I just wasn't good enough. She said to persevere at least go to the next audition they'd lined up. It was for Eponine in Les Mis...the rest is history! #ShareYourRejection

— Carrie Hope Fletcher (@CarrieHFletcher) August 17, 2018

Rejected from Rada, lamda, BOV, Drama Centre, countless short play nights (acting & writing), never once been accepted into Vault Festival after applying every year, Old Vic 12 the same. KEEP GOING. I've learnt that it can't all be for ya but cherish what is. #ShareYourRejections

— Milly Thomas (@missmillythomas) August 17, 2018

#ShareYourRejections 82 rejection letters before a publisher finally said yes. Rejected 5 or 6 times by the Arts Council for one of their writing bursaries. Noughts & Crosses rejected for a literary award cos 'it would've shown more insight if a white author had written it.'!

— Malorie Blackman (@malorieblackman) August 16, 2018

*Overheard the director and producers talking when I went back into the audition room to get my scarf* ‘yeah, Amanda is funny but she is clearly just not pretty enough'

I didn't get the job. #ShareYourRejections

— amanda abbington (@CHIMPSINSOCKS) August 18, 2018

I was told in college my singing and acting wasn't on par with the rest of my class so they dropped me from the theatre department. I've been in 5 Broadway shows, 1 Off-Broadway play, and the West End. #shareyourrejections

— G R E G O R Y (@ghaney22) August 18, 2018

Auditioned over and over again for years for Les Mis. They told me I was too sophisticated for Eponine, my dream role. I was gutted. 3 years later I auditioned again, in my scruffiest jumper and jeans and flat shoes. I got the role. #shareyourrejections pic.twitter.com/xfSxNUzfEo

— Caroline Sheen (@SheenCaroline) August 18, 2018

Four auditions, one after the other, I was told I didn't look comfortable enough in my body to come across natural and confident because I was so tall and skinny

I've now hosted the red carpet on the Olivier Awards two years running #ShareYourRejections

— Jamie Lambert (@JamieCollabro) August 18, 2018