This past Thursday, Elle Fanning went on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, where she mentioned a role consideration that didn’t quite work out in her favor… though for reasons one might not expect. According to Deadline, “I didn’t get a part once for something big because – it might not have been just this reason, but this was the feedback I heard – was because I didn’t have enough Instagram followers at the time… That’s something I firmly don’t believe in, for not getting a part”. 

Fanning currently has 6.2 million followers on Instagram. She also mentioned to Horowitz during the podcast that the role would’ve been for some big franchise film, though she did not give specifics. 

Even with a “small” following on social media, Fanning has had previous successful roles throughout her acting career. She has starred in various movies and TV series, such as The Girl From Plainville, Maleficent, and is set to star in several more roles in the future. Her most recent and arguably largest role to date is her performance of Catherine in The Great, where she stars alongside Nicholas Hoult. 

Season 3 of The Great is now streaming on Hulu. 

Watch Fanning’s episode of Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz here: