Whitney Cummings Recalls ‘Humiliating’ Audition for Megalopolis: ‘I Thought I Was Being Punked’

Whitney Cummings Recalls ‘Humiliating’ Audition for Megalopolis: ‘I Thought I Was Being Punked’

Whitney Cummings Recalls ‘Humiliating’ Audition for Megalopolis: ‘I Thought I Was Being Punked’

Whitney Cummings recently opened up about an unforgettable and bizarre audition experience with legendary director Francis Ford Coppola for his ambitious sci-fi drama, Megalopolis. The comedian and actress shared the story on her Good For You podcast, describing the process as so surreal that it felt like something out of the prank show Punk’d, which she once hosted.

“This was such a core trauma for me,” Cummings admitted, reflecting on an audition that included unexpected improvisation and ended with her walking out with a signed book and a bottle of Coppola’s wine.

Whitney Cummings Recalls ‘Humiliating’ Audition for Megalopolis: ‘I Thought I Was Being Punked’

A Strange Start

Cummings explained that she spent days preparing for the audition, memorizing lines and spending nearly four hours in hair and makeup. But when she arrived, the atmosphere was far from typical. “Everyone was so quiet,” she recalled. “There was no vibe of, ‘We’re at an audition. Hey, what’s up? Hi, how are you?’ It was just awkward.”

When Cummings asked where they’d like to start, Coppola surprised her with, “Oh no, no, we’re not going to do the scene.” Frustrated by the sudden change, she joked, “It’s three days of my life,” but went along with his instructions.

Improvisation Chaos

Instead of performing the prepared material, Coppola asked her to improvise a series of emotional scenarios. These ranged from bidding farewell to a son going off to war in an English accent to confronting a husband who left her for her sister in an Australian accent. “Because I did Punk’d, I thought, ‘If I’m being punked, this is actually genius,’” Cummings said.

As the improvisations continued, Cummings said she “disassociated” to cope with the surreal experience. “I started glazing over, and then he was like, ‘That was great.’ I don’t even know where I went. I just completely disassociated, improvising my head off with Francis Ford Coppola, of all people, instead of actual actors.”

An Unusual Exit

The audition left Cummings on the verge of tears, feeling embarrassed and confused. But it didn’t end there. Coppola handed her a signed copy of his latest book—signing it in front of her as if she were attending an autograph session—and gifted her a bottle of his own wine. “It was just so humiliating and confounding in that moment,” she said.

Improvisation in Megalopolis

Cummings didn’t reveal which role she auditioned for, but Megalopolis, set in a utopian future, boasts an ensemble cast including Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, and Shia LaBeouf.

Interestingly, Cummings isn’t the only one to experience Coppola’s unconventional audition style. Earlier this year, Nathalie Emmanuel told The Hollywood Reporter about her similarly improvisational audition for the film. “It didn’t really feel like an audition,” Emmanuel said, explaining that Coppola asked her to recite a line from a song, movie, or poem in various emotional contexts.

That same looseness carried into rehearsals, with cast members engaging in theater-style games. “It was a fun way to help the actors get connected, be playful, and spontaneous,” Emmanuel added.

While Cummings’ experience may have left her feeling unsettled, it underscores Coppola’s commitment to creative exploration—a hallmark of his storied career. Whether her audition translates into a role in Megalopolis remains to be seen, but the film’s unusual process already reflects its ambitious and unconventional nature.

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