Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Writers And Performers Divulge Their Worst Rejection Stories

They can't all be winners...

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

Matthew Lawrence; Robin Williams
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic via Getty Images; Vera Anderson/WireImage via Getty Images

Matthew Sparks Outrage with AI Robin

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Matthew Lawrence sparked controversy after suggesting that his late co-star and cultural icon Robin Williams should be the next “voice of AI.”

Hey Siri, Matthew Lawrence has a bad idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Azealia Banks
Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Azealia Banks: "No One Is Born Gay"

Controversial rapper and outspoken MAGA supporter Azealia Banks ignited a firestorm online this weekend after posting a series of offensive and inflammatory messages—ranging from defending Donald Trump’s alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, to claiming that being gay or transgender isn’t “natural.”

On Sunday, Banks began the day by downplaying Trump’s alleged relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Referencing unsealed court documents that list numerous celebrities and politicians linked to Epstein’s network, Banks brushed off the former president’s alleged involvement in a now-deleted post on X.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Liam Neeson And Pamela Anderson Offer Cagey Response After Being Asked If They're Dating

Since the filming of the Naked Gun reboot, a lot of attention has been focused on the returning Liam Neeson and his fabulous costar, Pamela Anderson, but people have not been able to help but wonder if there's more to it than just good on-screen chemistry.

Throughout the promotional tour for the movie, the actors have been incredibly interactive with each other, telling jokes and making each other laugh, and not so subtly touching, including holding hands, hugging, and kissing each other on the cheek.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt Groening
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

'Simpsons' Creator Epically 'Predicts' How Kids Will 'Liberate' Their MAGA Parents

If you've lost loved ones to the MAGA cult, fear not: The children are the future.

That's according to creator of The Simpsons Matt Groening, who just issued a prediction of how today's kids will "liberate their Republican parents" from far-right brainwashing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Alex Grace; Giovanni Capriglione
@alaskaunicornco/TikTok; WFAA/YouTube

Exotic Dancer Reveals Affair With MAGA Rep. Who Authored Texas Abortion Ban—And Claims He Paid For 'Several' Abortions

Vehemently anti-abortion Texas MAGA Republican state Representative Giovanni Capriglione has admitted to cheating on his wife, but still denies his affair partner's claim he paid for her to have multiple abortions.

Why is this important?

Keep ReadingShow less