Most people assume that great actors have it easy because they are naturally talented.
The truth is, they face rejection just like everyone else. Way before he was freezing in the North Atlantic ocean water next to Kate Winslet (plenty of room on that floating door, just sayin') in the movie Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio struggled with
rejection.
He said, “I remember going to casting calls was 9 or 10 years old. There was a cattle call of kids and I lined up with everyone. It was like a prison photo. I'm standing there and the casting director went up the line, looked at each kid, and said, ‘Yes, yes, no, no, no, yes.’ Then they got to me and said, "Nope." I got rejected. I hadn’t even acted, I was rejected
simply for being me, for how I looked. Auditioning at any age is a cruel, cruel process. I remember my dad saying to just stick with it and eventually you'll have your day."
Leonardo didn’t get "his day" for another two years, when he finally got an agent and a few commercials and TV appearances. He then landed a Matchbox car commercial and was stunned to get it. But it gave him just enough belief that maybe he could succeed in
the industry.
In his own words, Leo goes on to say, "Eventually, after more rejection, I took a different attitude towards the audition process. I said to myself, You know, you’re not dependent on this job. Another rejection isn’t going to define
you.
After that I stopped pushing and trying to sell myself and just prepare more for the roles and investigate the characters as much as I could, to do the best I could, and not feel like my self-worth is dependent on whether I book the job or not. I think that's when things finally came together for me."
What's the secret recipe here? Hard work, persistence, and a little belief goes a long way. Keep going.
