Glen Powell has revealed a surprising “what could have been” moment in his acting career – he once auditioned for Glee.
The Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You actor recently shared on the Therapuss podcast that he tried out for the role of Sam Evans, a character that ultimately went to one of his closest friends, Chord Overstreet.
“One of my best buddies in the world is Chord Overstreet,” said Powell, 36. “We both auditioned for Glee. We both auditioned for the same role.”
The actor explained that he and Overstreet first met while attending acting classes and quickly became close friends. Their friendship made the audition process even more unique – and a little nerve-wracking – since they often found themselves competing for the same parts. “We’d be in the waiting room at the same time,” Powell recalled, laughing at how they were “buddies” even while pursuing identical opportunities.
Eventually, it came down to the wire for the role of Sam Evans, and Overstreet landed the part. “And then we were down to the wire on Sam Evans, and he got it,” Powell said. But there were no hard feelings between the two friends. In fact, Powell shared that they became roommates right around the same time Overstreet’s Glee journey began.
“He’s still one of my best friends,” Powell said warmly. “We were about to be roommates. So we moved in together as he went on this crazy Glee ride, which was kind of wild… for one of your best friends in the world, to watch him go through that thing… it was crazy to be around.”
Reflecting on the show’s massive success, Powell noted just how huge Glee was at its peak. “It was the biggest show in the world,” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people remember that.”
Chord Overstreet joined Glee in 2010 during its second season, playing the lovable Sam Evans. The role marked a major turning point in Overstreet’s career, propelling him to international fame at just 21 years old. Looking back on his Glee experience in a 2017 interview with PEOPLE, Overstreet described it as a pivotal learning experience.
“It was like a boot camp, but in the best way,” Overstreet said. “I learned more than I could have ever learned from acting or singing classes. I couldn’t get that experience anywhere else.” He also credited the series with improving his vocal skills. “I definitely became a better singer, from singing in the studio every day and watching people that are great performers that were coming onto our show.”
Glee aired from 2009 to 2015, running for six seasons and earning a reputation as one of the most influential musical series of the 2010s. The show made stars out of its cast, including Lea Michele, Darren Criss, and Naya Rivera, and became a defining pop culture phenomenon of its era.
Though Powell didn’t get the part, his career trajectory since then has been nothing short of remarkable. After smaller roles in projects like The Expendables 3 and Hidden Figures, he broke through in Hollywood with Top Gun: Maverick, starring alongside Tom Cruise. He later headlined the romantic comedy Anyone But You with Sydney Sweeney and stars in the upcoming disaster blockbuster Twisters. Powell also recently launched his Hulu series Chad Powers, further cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand leading men.
While he didn’t end up in the Glee choir room, it’s clear that the experience – and his friendship with Overstreet – still holds a special place in Powell’s heart. “It was crazy to watch one of your best friends go through that level of fame and success so young,” he said, reflecting fondly on the time they spent as roommates during the show’s explosive popularity.
Today, Powell and Overstreet remain close friends, their early career paths a reminder of how unpredictable Hollywood can be. What started as two young actors auditioning for the same role has turned into a lifelong friendship – and two successful careers that took different but equally impressive routes.
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