American actress Jennifer Garner has revealed she spent two days grieving in the California desert after being turned down for a role on NBC political drama The West Wing early in her career.
Speaking on the podcast Aspire With Emma Grede on Tuesday, the 54-year-old star described how failing to land the part left her devastated, prompting her first solo trip to Palm Springs before her acting career turned around.
Garner, who was born in Houston, Texas, explained that she had reached the final test screening for the hit series created by Aaron Sorkin.
"I always think back to this audition for The West Wing," Garner said on the podcast. "It was for a new role and God, I wanted it so badly. And I got down and I tested for it."
When the network ultimately chose another performer, she traveled to the desert resort city to process the disappointment. "When I didn't get it, I had to go to the desert... and just sit there for a couple of days," Garner recalled, noting it was her first time staying in Palm Springs by herself to recuperate emotionally.
The West Wing, an acclaimed political drama set inside the White House, starred Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and the late John Spencer. Garner previously specified in an interview with Flaunt magazine earlier this year that she had auditioned for the role of associate counsel Ainsley Hayes, a character subsequently played by Emily Procter.
Reflecting on Sorkin's signature fast-paced writing style, Garner told Flaunt: "I love Aaron Sorkin's writing. I love words. I love how dense the language and the dialogue" is.
Auditions and industry rejection
During her podcast appearance, Garner discussed how frequent setbacks are an inescapable reality for working entertainers. She emphasized that resilience is essential when facing continuous industry rejection.
"Do you know how many auditions or meetings I've gone on that I've gotten down to here, to here, and not gotten?" Garner said. "And then you do get one and you take it. It's like this big thing and you think, 'Oh great, this is going to be amazing.' You get it and you sell it with everything you have and it just lies there on the floor."
However, the disappointment of missing out on the NBC drama proved short-lived. "Like two weeks later, Alias came to me," Garner explained.
"So what is it? Rejection is God's protection? Whatever that is, I'm all for that. Let's believe that, you know? Let's go with that," she added.
Garner went on to achieve widespread fame starring as CIA agent Sydney Bristow on the ABC action drama Alias, created by J.J. Abrams. She anchored the show throughout its five-season run from 2001 to 2006 alongside co-stars Ron Rifkin, Carl Lumbly and an up-and-coming Bradley Cooper.
Navigating career and motherhood
Garner also opened up about the professional uncertainty she experienced following her 2015 separation from ex-husband Ben Affleck. In the preceding years, the actress had deliberately accepted fewer roles to prioritize raising her family.
"I panicked when I was first out of my marriage and realized I had taken such a step back in my work, and suddenly I realized, like, 'I don't know how long I'll be able to work,'" Garner said. "I was suddenly like, 'Wait a minute. I have to take care of myself. I have to take care of these kids. I didn't get some huge payout.' So what is it gonna be?"
Addressing the realities of aging in the entertainment business, Garner added: "This isn't a career that's like, 'Hey, you're 60, you're 55, you're 43? Come on, let's pay you more than you've ever made.'"
To rebuild her momentum while remaining present for her children, Garner explained that she and her manager "got very calculated" and took inventory of her options.
"I said, 'I can work in Los Angeles. I can't leave these kids for six months at a time,'" Garner recalled telling her manager. "'I would love to. I love going on location. That is not this time in my career.' And so it was like, 'OK, what can we make happen? How can we do it?' And we just got really targeted and still about it."
Garner currently stars in the Peacock series The Five Star Weekend. Representatives for Garner have been contacted for further comment.
