Hello and welcome, dear listeners, to another intriguing episode of "Confessions of an Aging Ingénue." I'm your Aging Ingénue, Jenni Tooley, and I'm super-excited to have you join me today.

Before we dive into the heart of our conversation, I want to extend a special invitation to you. Join me in the confessional on Wednesday nights, every first Wednesday of the month. Head over to jennitooley.com, and who knows, you might find yourself in the confessor seat.

I had a big audition this week, so I thought, why not share some audition tales? We'll take a break from STUCK and dive into the world of auditions – this should be a short one.

"Have I Told You About the Time?" I auditioned for and booked a role in Wes Anderson's movie 'Bottle Rocket'? Now, for those who aren't familiar with it, Bottle Rocket was made about 26 or 27 years ago. I was around 20 when I auditioned for this gem and I was pretty green.

So, there I was, a non-trained actor navigating the audition world.

Here's a juicy tidbit – I wasn't the first or second choice to play Stacey Sinclair. I was the third choice. Yes, folks, the third choice. The first two choices had conflicts, and there I was, stepping into the spotlight.

Yes, I got the role but that’s not what this episode is about. That experience was a hit in the ego that turned out to be a blessing in disguise and looking back, it taught me a valuable lesson about the lack of control we have in this industry. Sometimes, the universe guides us where we need to be, regardless of our plans.

Life is full of what-ifs, but as we navigate our paths, it's crucial to appreciate where we are and trust the journey. I hope my Bottle Rocket story gives you a glimpse into the unpredictable world of auditions and the valuable lessons learned along the way.

Thank you for being here with me today. I'm Jenni Tooley, your host, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on today's episode.

So, please, comment, review, follow, and subscribe – all those things that keep our podcast thriving.

Until next time, much love to you!