Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Writers And Performers Divulge Their Worst Rejection Stories

They can't all be winners...

Make us preferred on Google

Part of being an artist or creative of any kind is getting used to rejection - and a lot of it. Your family may not "get" what you do. Your friends aren't likely to be super supportive and buy your work. Most publishers and record companies only want re-hashes of things that have been successful in the past. Even J.K. Rowling was rejected a kajillion times before Harry Potter made it to the public eye.


Writers and performers are going to get rejected. It's just a fact. Twitter has been having a good time with rejections lately, though. The hashtag #ShareYourRejections has turned into a strangely inspirational, often hilarious, celebration of failure.

And yeah... it's both epic and really helping people remember the wise words of Dory the fish... just keep swimming. Here are some of our favorites.


Phil LaMarr Gets A Do-Over

Giphy

I played a character on a TV show. The next time the character appeared, they put out a casting notice to replace me. But they said I was welcome to come audition again. I thought "hey, I've sucked before but never gotten a do-over!" I re-auditioned & got it! #ShareYourRejections

- Phil LaMarr

This Author Decided To Decorate

This Book of Life's Best Rejections

Giphy

I was fired from a Disney show as a character designer. I deserved it.

We had 5 pilots at WB, Disney and Nick that did not go to series.

The Book of Life was rejected by every studio except for Fox.

Sandra said no the first time I asked her to marry me. #ShareYourRejections

- Jorge R. Gutierrez

This Poets Bloodbath

Subjective Rejection

Giphy

While querying, I once got a rejection that said they, "hated the voice but loved the plot". In the SAME DAY, I got a rejection saying they, "loved the voice but hated the plot." You guys, publishing is SO SUBJECTIVE. #ShareYourRejections

- Samantha Joyce

Savage-ly Rejected

Giphy

Every single label, company, publisher and manager in Australia rejected Savage Garden until one man, John Woodruff, took a risk. It only takes one believer. #ShareYourRejections

- Darren Hayes

Frame It!

My Big Fat Greek Reject

Giphy

My agent told me I wasn't pretty and dumped me, my manager told me actors can't be writers and dumped me. A year later I starred in my first screenplay, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. #ShareYourRejections

- Nia Vardalos

Rejected For Not Knowing Yourself?

Giphy

I had a paper rejected once because I "didn't seem to know the work of Jo Sharp well enough" - I am Jo Sharp!!! #ShareYourRejections

- Professor Jo Sharp

H/T: Twitter

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

The Chicks; Mitch McConnell
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The Chicks Just Cracked A Clever Joke About Mitch McConnell Amid His Ongoing Absence From Congress—And We're Cackling

The Chicks frontwoman Natalie Maines went viral after she made a joke about Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell amid his continuing absence from Congress due to health issues.

The 84-year-old—who chairs the Senate Rules Committee—was found unconscious at his Washington residence in June, prompting an advanced life support response. Last month, his office said his condition was improving.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of John Kennedy; Donald Trump
Meet the Press/NBC; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

MAGA Senator Shares Theory For Why Trump Constantly Doubles Down On His Claims While Ignoring The Facts—And It's A Big Yikes

During an appearance on Meet the Press, amid another development in the debacle surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy shared his theory for why President Donald Trump has trouble dropping his conspiracies despite factual evidence to the contrary.

Kennedy's remarks came after the Justice Department conceded that Trump's overhaul of the Reflecting Pool was "hasty and botched" and moved to dismiss the criminal charges against Olympian David Hearn, who had been accused of damaging the site.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
USA Today

RFK Jr. Was Just Asked What The 'Most Exotic' Food He's Ever Eaten Is—And His Answer So On Brand

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had social media users reeling after he declared he doesn't "have a gag reflex" and "will literally eat anything."

Kennedy's interview with USA Today White House correspondent Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy coincided with the launch of his new YouTube program, The Real Food Show. HHS says the series is designed to provide families with accessible nutrition guidance and budget-friendly cooking advice.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Dana Bash and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
CNN

RFK Jr. Loses His Cool During Heated On-Air Clash With CNN Host Over Vaccines

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clashed with CNN anchor Dana Bash on Sunday after she questioned him about his controversial anti-vaccine views.

The possibility of Kennedy assuming any senior government role raised significant concern among public health leaders and federal employees, who argued, even as Kennedy was taking the reins, that he should not have access to the nation's public health infrastructure.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anne Hathaway
Human Rights Campaign/YouTube

Conservatives Are Completely Melting Down Over A 2018 Anne Hathaway Speech About Equality—Because Of Course

In May of 2018, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)—the largest LGBTQ+ civil rights and political lobbying organization in the United States—awarded actor Anne Hathaway their Ally for Equality Award at their annual dinner.

Actor and rapper Awkwafina introduced Hathaway with a brief career highlight reel followed by Hathaway giving a short acceptance speech where she touched on historic power dynamics, where some hold unearned power and privilege over the minority or marginalized—something HRC works against.

Keep ReadingShow less