Joe Jonas Opens Up About Failed Auditions for 'The Morning Show' and 'Wicked'

Joe Jonas is reflecting on two auditions that didn't result in roles, offering candid details about what went wrong in each instance.

The 36-year-old performer auditioned for a position on Apple TV's The Morning Show, where he was in the running to play a young anchor character—specifically a right-wing podcaster role. He painted a vivid picture of the experience, which he described as a complete disaster.

Arriving at the callback, Jonas found himself in cramped quarters with malfunctioning equipment. "It was just these little blinds. All the lights were off and they didn't work. And I could hear, clear as day, all the guys auditioning… And these guys were crushing it," he recounted. Without headphones to block out the noise, he sat in silence reviewing his lines while listening to other candidates excel.

When his turn came, things fell apart. "I go in and I just… I crash and burn," Jonas shared. Despite being offered the option to read from the script, he declined, insisting he had it memorized. The preparation didn't pay off. "It was literally like, I don't even know what I'm auditioning for, just like me forgetting the name of The Morning Show," he explained, describing the entire audition as a major misstep.

Jonas also discussed his experience auditioning for the Wicked film projects. He characterized the process as unusual, noting that he could clearly hear other incredibly talented theater vocalists competing for roles. While he didn't specify which character he read for, he acknowledged the caliber of talent in the room.

Katharine McPhee responded to Jonas's candid account, offering perspective on what casting directors truly seek. "Sometimes roles aren't about who's the most powerful vocalist or hit the highest notes, it's about who has the best charisma or can make a whole room laugh or tear up with your vocal ability," she wrote. "Often times people confuse vocal power with talent and they couldn't be more different. But also…. what's meant for you will be regardless of who has a strongest voice. I would have cast you on Wicked, Joe!"