Before she was an Oscar-nominated actress and a global star, Anna Kendrick was just another hopeful performer in Hollywood — auditioning for a small part in a teen vampire movie no one expected to change pop culture. Years later, she’s finally sharing the truth about what really happened behind the scenes of her Twilight auditions — including the five “completely made-up” things she told casting directors just to land the role.
“It was all just so surreal,” Kendrick said in a 2024 podcast. “I had no idea what I was walking into — and honestly, half of what I said during those auditions was completely made up.”
🧛♀️ 1. “I Pretended I Loved Vampires”
When asked if she was a fan of vampire stories, Kendrick responded with enthusiasm — despite never having read one.
“They asked, ‘Are you into vampire stuff?’ and I said, ‘Oh, totally! I’ve been obsessed since I was a kid.’ Meanwhile, I was more into Sweeney Todd than Dracula.”
Her enthusiasm worked, convincing the team she was perfect for Jessica Stanley, Bella Swan’s talkative friend.
📚 2. “I Claimed I’d Read All the Books — Even the Ones That Didn’t Exist”
At the time of auditions, only two Twilight books had been released.
“Someone asked which one was my favorite,” Kendrick recalled. “I panicked and said, ‘Oh, the last one — the way it ends is beautiful.’ There wasn’t even a last one yet!”
She still laughs about it: “Best accidental prediction I’ve ever made.”
❄️ 3. “I Pretended I Was Fine with the Cold”
The Twilight movies were filmed in rainy, freezing Portland, Oregon — something Kendrick was completely unprepared for.
“During screen tests, they asked if I was okay filming in extreme weather. I said, ‘Absolutely, I love the cold.’ In reality, I can’t even handle air conditioning.”
Filming outdoors soon became a test of endurance. “It was like being trapped inside a refrigerator in heels,” she joked. “I don’t know how Kristen [Stewart] didn’t turn into an ice sculpture.”
🎤 4. “I Said I Was an Extrovert — That’s Still the Funniest Lie I’ve Ever Told”
Jessica Stanley was chatty and confident — the opposite of Kendrick’s real personality at the time.
“I told them I was the life of the party, super outgoing,” she said. “In truth, I was painfully awkward. I faked confidence because that’s what Jessica would do.”
Years later, after Pitch Perfect made her a household name, Kendrick learned to embrace her introversion. “Acting is just lying with better lighting,” she quipped.
🌟 5. “I Pretended I Knew Who Robert Pattinson Was”
Perhaps the most amusing part of her story came when the producers mentioned Robert Pattinson.
“They said, ‘You’ll be working with Rob — he’s got a big fanbase already.’ I nodded like I totally knew. I had no idea who he was.”
Only later, when she saw crowds of fans waiting outside, did she realize how famous he already was. “That’s when I thought, ‘Oh no… this is going to be huge.’”
🎥 “We Were Freezing, Laughing, and Had No Idea It Would Change Our Lives”
Looking back, Kendrick describes her Twilight experience as both chaotic and unforgettable.
“We were just a bunch of kids standing in the rain, trying to remember our lines,” she said. “It felt like summer camp — except the camp turned into a billion-dollar franchise.”
📝 The Five “Made-Up” Moments
1️⃣ Claimed to love vampires.
2️⃣ Said she’d read all the books (even those not yet published).
3️⃣ Pretended to love cold weather.
4️⃣ Faked being an extrovert.
5️⃣ Acted like she knew Robert Pattinson.
Reflecting on it all, Kendrick says those white lies weren’t about deception — they were about survival.
“Looking back, those little lies just helped me fake the confidence I didn’t have yet,” she said. “Jessica might have been dramatic, but she’s probably the most real I’ve ever been on screen.”
From a nervous young actress to one of Hollywood’s most relatable stars, Anna Kendrick’s honesty proves that sometimes a few harmless improvisations can lead to extraordinary opportunities — even if it all starts with pretending to love vampires.