almost played by another Gilmore Girls star. It feels like Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel were born to play their roles, but there were other great contenders — some of whom still ended up involved in the show.
Funnily enough, Mädchen Amick was a contender to portray Lorelai, though she went on to play Christopher's ex-fiancée, Sherry, instead. And she's not the only Gilmore Girls cast member who originally auditioned for one of the leads but wound up in an opposing role instead. One of the actors who tried out for Rory lost the part to Bledel. However, she had a character created for her, and that character put her in direct opposition to Rory for quite some time. She also wound up being one of the best characters in Gilmore Girls, so things worked out for the best.
Gilmore Girls' Liza Weil Originally Auditioned For Rory Gilmore & Didn't Get The Part
Her Audition Still Impressed Series Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino
Liza Weil, who portrayed Paris Geller throughout Gilmore Girls, originally auditioned for the part of Rory. And after watching Weil bring Rory's high-strung classmate to life for seven seasons and a revival, it's difficult to envision her being one of the Gilmores — especially given their tendency to be much more laidback. However, Weil recalled trying out for Rory during a 2014 interview with BuzzFeed News. Ultimately, she didn't land the part, but Weil still managed to impress the people in charge of casting.
It's clear Sherman-Palladino saw her potential, even if she didn't believe Weil was the right fit for Rory.
Gilmore Girls hadn't been fully green-lit when the actor auditioned to play Rory, but she was told that she'd have another role if it was. Series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino appreciated Weil's audition so much that she created a different character for her to play, something Weil later looked at "as a huge compliment." It's clear Sherman-Palladino saw her potential, even if she didn't believe Weil was the right fit for Rory. And her inkling turned out to be correct, as Weil was perfect as Paris Geller.
Amy Sherman-Palladino Created A Role For Liza Weil After Her Failed Rory Audition
Paris Geller Was The Product Of That Audition
After Weil didn't get the role of Rory, Gilmore Girls did end up being picked up by The WB — and Sherman-Palladino followed through on the promise to create a new role for Weil. She went on to portray Paris during all seven seasons of Gilmore Girls, and the actor even returned for Netflix's A Year in the Life revival. In many ways, Paris was the opposite of Rory, which meant Weil needed to draw on new strengths to capture the character. She did a spectacular job of it, though, perhaps revealing what the series creator saw in her during auditions.
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Weil confirmed that the character still holds a special place in her heart, even years after Gilmore Girls ended. She even itted that she'll embody her sometimes, telling BuzzFeed, "If I'm having a particularly challenging day, I'll hear myself, and it sounds like Paris and it's scary!" This is especially funny when you consider that Weil didn't think she'd be the right person to bring Paris to life, at least not initially. Although she was interested in the role of Rory, she was concerned Paris would be too much of a "mean girl" for her.
The Gilmore Girls Star Didn't Think She'd Be A Good Fit For Paris At First
Liza Weil Was Nervous About Playing The Character Created For Her
As flattering as having a role created for you is, Weil itted she was a bit nervous when she learned more about the character Sherman-Palladino wanted her to play. After all, Paris became extremely charming over the course of Gilmore Girls' run, but she didn't make the best first impression on Rory or the viewers. That seems to be the case with Weil as well, who found her intimidating at first glance:
"When I first got the material [for Paris], I was really unsettled. I was like, 'How on earth could they think this is something that is in me at all? I found her intimidating. I love Paris now, and I've always loved her, but it was scary to be a judgmental, mean girl."
To be fair, Paris' character in the first few seasons of Gilmore Girls was a far cry from the role Weil initially sought out. Thankfully, she proved much more complex than she seemed, especially when her vulnerability started to shine through. It was refreshing to see a lead who was simultaneously competent and vulnerable at times, and the series masterfully injected humor into Paris' part as well. Weil realized the exciting elements of portraying Paris, too, especially after she and Rory graduated from Chilton. "Paris could just do anything," she said. "Once I came to accept that, I had a great time."
Liza Weil Turned Paris Geller Into One Of The Best Characters In The Whole Series
Amy Sherman-Palladino Made The Right Call Ensuring She Was In Gilmore Girls
In the end, Weil's failed Rory Gilmore audition worked out for her and the show, as she went on to make Paris Geller one of Gilmore Girls' best characters. There were many charming people who populated Stars Hollow, and Rory met great characters outside her hometown as well. But Paris stood out from the very beginning, and her growth from high school to college showcased some of the best character development in the whole show. While Rory's turnaround during that time was controversial and often frustrating, Paris' transition into adulthood was immensely satisfying.
Her ambition and humor also kept every Gilmore Girls scene she was part of interesting. Indeed, even watching Paris have a meltdown during Chilton's graduation ceremony proved a memorable and iconic moment, embodying her character's over-the-top personality and making viewers feel for her at the same time. Paris was always a highlight when she was on-screen, and she came to be a positive presence in Rory's life, further proving the depth of her character. She's also responsible for some iconic quotes and reactions, as Paris was an expert at throwing insults around.
In hindsight, it's difficult to imagine the series without Paris' inclusion.
A Year in the Life showing off Paris Geller's success was also satisfying thanks to her great character arc in the original series, which wouldn't have happened without her initial audition. That audition is proof that sometimes things work out for the best, even if it's not in the way we originally intended them to. Weil might not have been one of Gilmore Girls' main stars, but she added something to the show that felt necessary and gave it more heart. In hindsight, it's difficult to imagine the series without Paris' inclusion.
Gilmore Girls
- Release Date
- 2000 - 2007-00-00
- Network
- The WB
- Writers
- Amy Sherman-Palladino
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