It’s no secret that The White Lotus is the Super Bowl of acting gigs. I’m not qualified to make a sports comparison, but just go with it. After three wildly successful seasons, Mike White’s satirical murder mystery has become one of the biggest shows on the planet. For actors, landing a role means scoring a top-tier script, an extended stay at a luxurious resort in a stunning locale, and fame (or more fame than you already have). It’s the dream! I’m already hard at work preparing my monologue for my season 4 audition.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Carrie Coon — who plays the iconic Laurie in season 3 — opened up about the competitive nature of the show. “These roles are highly coveted by all of our friends, so you want to show up and do a good job,” she explained. “You want people to say, ‘I’m glad it was you.’ There’s a lot of pressure.” Has anyone ever said “I’m glad it was you” and actually meant it? I have my doubts. Carrie added, “Everyone auditions for The White Lotus.”

And it’s true… Just about everyone does try out for the hit series. But most aren’t successful. Here are the celebrities who auditioned for The White Lotus and didn’t get it.

Celebrities Who Auditioned For The White Lotus

Kelsea Ballerini

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Kelsea almost played Tanya’s assistant, Portia in season 2. (Of course, the role ultimately went to Haley Lu Richardson, who slayed.) “I have no shame in my game,” the singer told People at the Variety Power of Women Nashville event. “I auditioned for the second season of The White Lotus for the role [of] Jennifer Coolidge’s assistant that Haley did.” Kelsea gushed about Haley, calling her performance “brilliant and beautiful.”

Jessica Capshaw

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The Grey’s Anatomy queen went out for the role of Kate, the MAGA friend in the toxic girl group. “I auditioned for Leslie Bibb’s part,” Jessica dished on iHeartRadio’s Call It What It Is podcast. “I’m just such a huge fan of the show, so I was giddy with excitement.”

She added that it’s “always so fun to put together an audition and see where it goes” because actors all have “a very different take on it.” Jessica loved what Leslie did with the part. “Watching Leslie‘s, I was like, ‘Oh my god,’” Jessica said. “I was so in, and I thought she was fantastic.”

Evan Peters

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Apparently, Evan was the first choice to play Ethan is season 2?? In 2023, White Lotus producer David Bernad told Deadline that Will Sharpe eventually replaced the American Horror Story star because of scheduling conflicts. “For whatever reason — scheduling or timing — it didn’t work out,” David revealed. Will DEVOURED that part, so I feel like this was fate.

Woody Harrelson

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Who in god’s name would turn down The White Lotus? Woody Harrelson, that’s who. There were rumors that he was in the running for both Rick and Frank, but turned down the roles because he couldn’t negotiate a better salary. (All White Lotus cast members get paid the same.)

However, the actor shut down that rumor in a statement shared with The Daily Beast. He claimed that he passed on the show because of family vacation plans. “I was set to do White Lotus and very excited,” Woody said in his statement. “Unfortunately, their production schedule shifted, and conflicted with a pre-planned family vacation, forcing me to make an extremely hard decision.” That’s actually not a hard decision at all… but I’ll let it slide. He added, “I couldn’t have done as fantastic a job as Sam, who is killing it.” True.

Lily Allen

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During an episode of her Miss Me? podcast with Miquita Oliver, the British singer revealed her audition for the show was part of an effort to “put herself out there more” acting-wise. “I did do a self-tape for The White Lotus and obviously did not get it,” she shared. “But I’m a bit scared of doing self-tapes.” We absolutely need Lily on a future season.

Meghann Fahy

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Obviously, Meghann did eventually get cast as Daphne in season 2, but she didn’t have luck when she auditioned to play Rachel in season 1. “She was fucking amazing,” Meghann told Entertainment Weekly about Alexandra Daddario’s performance. “And I’m sure hundreds of other people auditioned for that too.” I could totally see Meghann in that role, but I’m glad she was saved for Daphne, honestly. No one else could’ve pulled off a performance like that one.