Darren Criss Auditioned Multiple Times for “Glee” Before He Was Cast

Darren Criss, known for his role as Blaine Anderson on the beloved musical television series ‘Glee’, recently opened up about his journey to landing the iconic character. Appearing on the ‘Dinner’s On Me’ podcast hosted by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the 39-year-old actor reflected on the multiple auditions he undertook before finally securing his place on the show.

During the podcast, Criss revealed that he first auditioned for ‘Glee’ during its pilot stage. He recalled his agent encouraging him to go for the role, as the series had already established a strong following. “I remember my agent was like, ‘You should do something for Glee,'” he shared. This was before his junior year at the University of Michigan, where he had founded StarKid Productions and gained fame for his performance in the viral musical parody ‘A Very Potter Musical’.

Criss stated that this was his first audition for a television show, a significant moment considering the popularity of ‘Glee’ at the time. He reminisced, “I think if you were a certain age and you played music, everybody kind of went in for this thing.” He continued to pursue the role despite not being cast initially, attending several auditions before he was finally selected.

Once cast, Criss’ character, Blaine, quickly became a crucial part of the series’ narrative. The storyline saw Blaine transfer from the rival Dalton Academy to William McKinley High School, where he embarked on an on-again, off-again romantic relationship with Chris Colfer’s character, Kurt Hummel. This dynamic ultimately culminated in their marriage by the series’ end.

Reflecting on his casting as Kurt’s boyfriend, Criss expressed his gratitude for the circumstances that led to his role. He referred to it as a kind of “cosmic alchemy”, suggesting that factors beyond his control played a significant role in his success. “They were gonna cast the potential boyfriend for the really popular character. Like that’s just a golden ticket,” he noted appreciatively.

According to Criss, the popularity of Kurt Hummel was instrumental in invoking excitement around Blaine’s character. “Because people already loved Chris Colfer’s character, they wanted something for them,” he elaborated. The actor recognized this fortunate timing and expressed a sense of luck at being part of such a well-received storyline.

Criss also took the opportunity to express his deep gratitude towards Ryan Murphy, the show’s creator. He acknowledged Murphy’s unwavering support and highlighted the importance of his influence on the series. “He’s given me so much. So many good things. And my gratitude is sort of endless,” he remarked, particularly regarding Murphy’s efforts to incorporate Criss’ original music into the show.

Over the course of ‘Glee’s’ six seasons, Criss found himself supported by many on the production team, which enabled him to contribute music to the series. He spoke about how this felt organic, as he was in the right place at the right time without actively pursuing that opportunity. “By the time I got to write music, I’d been there for a while because it’s not something I would’ve ever pushed forward,” Criss admitted.

As Criss continues to reflect on his time on ‘Glee’, it is evident that the experience was not only pivotal to his career but also personally meaningful. The actor’s journey from initial auditions to becoming a central figure in one of television’s most significant musical dramas showcases his perseverance and talent. As he moves forward in his career, the impact of his role as Blaine Anderson is something Criss holds dear, forever grateful for the experience that shaped his path in the entertainment industry.