Vanessa Ray’s Unconventional “Suits” Audition: Shorts, No Makeup, and a Callback Note to Be “TV Pretty”

Vanessa Ray, known for her role as Jenny Griffith on the hit legal drama “Suits,” recently recounted her memorable first audition experience on the SiriusXM podcast “Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast.” Joining her former co-stars Sarah Rafferty and Patrick J. Adams, Ray revealed her attempt to project a “cool girl” image, which ultimately led to a surprising callback note.

Ray, aiming for a more natural look, chose to forgo heavy makeup and opted for shorts on a hot New York City day. Her interpretation of the character description, which simply called for a “girl,” led her to believe a casual approach was appropriate. However, she quickly realized her attire differed drastically from the other actresses auditioning, who were all dressed in professional suits.

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Ray’s casual attire stood out amongst the other actresses vying for roles on the legal drama. The audition scene, which took place in a loft, was the first scene viewers saw of the characters in the show. While Ray initially felt confident in her choice, she humorously recalled the likely reactions of the other actresses: “They were like, ‘Who the f— does this girl think she is?’”

Despite the initial unconventional approach, Ray received a callback. However, the feedback she received was both surprising and blunt: “Can she come in again but just look, like, TV pretty?” This note, while jarring, provided valuable insight into the industry’s expectations.

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Adams, who played Mike Ross, Jenny’s boyfriend’s best friend on the show, expressed surprise at the candidness of the note. However, both he and Ray acknowledged the honesty, recognizing it as a direct instruction rather than a veiled criticism. Ray jokingly admitted that the note made it clear she “wasn’t cool.” The experience ultimately served as a learning moment for Ray, highlighting the importance of understanding industry standards and expectations, even while trying to stand out.

The “Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast” offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the popular legal drama. Hosted by former cast members, the podcast provides insightful commentary and anecdotes from the show’s production. New episodes are available weekly.