Michelle Pfeiffer experienced both triumph and tribulation during the 1980s, establishing herself as a reliable Hollywood star with notable roles in iconic films like Scarface and The Witches of Eastwick. However, before earning recognition as one of the best actors of the era, Pfeiffer faced a nerve-wracking moment during the audition process for a breakout role in a sequel to one of the greatest musicals of all time.
In 1982, Pfeiffer secured a pivotal part in Grease 2 as Stephanie Zinone, the leader of the Pink Ladies at Rydell High. Reflecting on the audition process with Entertainment Weekly, Pfeiffer revealed that the final stage involved a dancing portion, which proved to be a challenging ordeal for her.
Describing the audition, Pfeiffer recalled, “It literally was like you see in the movies where one line would come, and they would dance across the stage, and then the next line would come, and they would dance across the stage. I kept moving further to the back, so I ended up in the very last line and stumbled my way through because I couldn’t remember the choreography. I left with my tail between my legs, feeling so humiliated.”
Contrary to Pfeiffer’s perception of the audition, fate had different plans for her. As she was leaving, an assistant, possibly director Pat Birch’s assistant, chased her across the Paramount studio lot to deliver surprising news. Pfeiffer recalled, “I said something about being really embarrassed, and she said: ‘Well, you shouldn’t be because she wants you to come back tomorrow.'”
Ultimately, Pfeiffer not only got the role but also paved the way for a successful career, marked by standout performances in some of her best movies. By the end of the decade, she had become a box office sensation and earned an Oscar nomination. The story serves as a reminder that even in the face of initial setbacks and self-perceived failures, perseverance and talent can lead to remarkable success in the competitive world of Hollywood.