Aladdin star Mena Massoud reveals he ‘hasn’t had a single audition’ since film’s release

Aladdin grossed $1 billion worldwide but Massoud says he still struggles to get "in the room" 
Daniel Smith/2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Aladdin star Mena Massoud has admitted that he has struggled to get auditions since the Disney reboot was released.

Massoud, 28, played the title role in Guy Ritchie’s take on the animated classic, which was released in May and went on to gross more than $1 billion (around £767 million) worldwide.

However speaking to the Daily Beast, the actor revealed that the film’s huge box office success has not opened up more opportunities for him, telling the publication that the aftermath of working on a blockbuster is “not always dandelions and roses.”

“I want people to know that it’s not always dandelions and roses when you’re doing something like Aladdin,” he said, adding that people often assume that he “must have made millions” and “be getting all these offers.”

Candid: Massoud spoke openly about his struggle to get auditions
Daniel Smith/2019 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“It’s none of those things,” he explained, revealing: “I haven’t had a single audition since Aladdin came out.”

“It’s wild to a lot of people,” he continued. “People have these ideas in their heads.

Aladdin - In pictures

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“It’s like, I’m sitting here being like, OK, Aladdin just hit $1 billion. Can I at least get an audition? Like I’m not expecting you to be like, here’s Batman. But can I just get in the room?

“Like, can you just give me a chance? So it’s not always what you think.”

He concluded: “The big truth is I haven’t really seen a big anything from [the film].”

Massoud, who is of Egyptian heritage, added that he is often seen as a “wild card choice” by directors “in a room of Caucasian guys.”

He will next star opposite Abigail Spencer in the Hulu series Reprisal.

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