They discuss Long's audition to the film. After which Nia claims she was told that she "looked too old next Drew."

Drew Barrymore and Nia Long sat down to discuss the story of how Drew Barrymore was not in 2002's Charlie's Angels.

The actress spoke out about auditioning for Alex Munday's role in a Yahoo Entertainment interview. Lucy Liu was ultimately chosen. Long claims that she was told by Barrymore that she looked too sophisticated and old for the role of Alex Munday. Barrymore starred in the 2000 comedy action film Dylan Sanders, as well the sequel in 2003.

Long shared her audition and the feedback she received after she was denied the role. Long appeared on Friday's episode Barrymore's talk-show, "The Drew Barrymore Show." Long stated that Barrymore was a producer for the film but she did not believe Drew was involved in the feedback she received.

Drew pointed out that Drew was the first to point out the bizarre way the story has resurfaced. The talk show host described the revelation as "so strange."

"So, it seems that a producer called your agent. He said something along the lines of, "Eyebrows, and age," what was it?" Barrymore, 47, said it to Long, 52. Long then chuckled, and then recalled what happened.

"So, here's what happened. "I went and auditioned, and first of all I was so excited to see you... it went really well," she said. So, I went and auditioned, then I went home to wait for the answer which was, "You're going after the job." It didn't happen. It happens.

She added, "But the feedback was that my eyebrows were too complex and I looked too old next Drew." "And that was my feedback. I was like, "What?" "And that was the feedback and I was like, 'What?'

According to the "You People" star, there was a greater reason she wasn't cast.

"Now that I am older and wiser, and we've worked in this industry for a while, I think what was occurring during that time was there were all these discussions about diversity but people weren't really pulling that trigger," Nia said to Drew, explaining that she doesn’t believe it had anything to do with Flower Films, her production company.

She continued, "I believe this is just because I was afraid of putting a Black woman in a movie that has never cast anyone Black." It was their first time. It was an initiative to cast more Black women and have more Black women on the set. But Hollywood wasn't doing it. I can recall auditioning for so many roles that weren’t written Black during that time. I was so exhausted. It was almost like we should bring in the Black women, the Black actors, and we can claim that we did it. But we won't necessarily pull the trigger.

Long said, "So, I will now say that things have changed a bit." Producers like you are a blessing. I know that you're aware of it and that you're open to the possibility.

Barrymore stated that she and Juvonen almost felt anxious and terrible after seeing Drew and Cameron Diaz. She recalled, "We were like, "Oh god, that doesn't seem right for us." "And the original 'Charlie's Angels' were all made up of white women."

Drew stressed that there was no diversity in the Charlie's Angels TV series.

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She said that she and her producer partner felt the exact opposite in 1999, when those conversations weren't being had. It was actually her and me who championed that like, "Okay, we love our Angels so much but now what?"

Barrymore said, "When we went in to present ourselves for the film as producers, all of the pitches for the trio had diversity in them, and that was just what felt right in our guts that time."

She added, "It's bewildering for me that someone would speak such things." "First, Nan and me would never discuss eyebrows. This is not what women would do.

Barrymore was also in agreement with Long, who said that she is "101% positive" that the decision came from a studio executive that doesn't understand diversity. This was not something I took personally. I know you and your show, and I also know who and what you are.

Drew was also a part of the "Fatal Affair", and she continued to say that Drew is "glad" they were having the conversation.

Nia stated that "Black women and white females, women of all races, need to communicate because it's difficult for all women working in this industry." I don't care about who you are. Although it's more difficult for us because there are fewer roles and less diversity, if we don’t talk to one another, we can still have a show together and create something. It's important to continue the dialogue so I appreciate your willingness to have this conversation with me.

Barrymore ended the conversation by admitting she was "mortified” when she heard about Long's audition. She also addressed comments made about Long's age at that time.

"Nan and me would never talk like that, and as far age goes that's the most stupid thing because you're the exact same number and age as Lucy Liu so it's possible." Drew said this to Nia. Drew said, "And I grew in an industry where I was like: 'I will never fall prey to ageing and all that B.S.' Like that will never be mine. I've seen too many people sucking off the fountains of youth and feel less worthy if their eyes were older."

She said, "So, age, weight, and body. I was like, ‘This is a toxic industry.’ It has many great things, but I won't play with it and I won't succumb to this part. The age thing is not an issue.

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Title: Drew Barrymore 'Mortified' By Nia Long's Charlie's Angels Rejection Story
Sourced From: toofab.com/2023/01/27/nia-long-drew-barrymore-charlies-angels/
Published Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2023 17:38:40 +0000

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