Kat Dennings recalls being called fat and ‘not pretty enough’ when she auditioned at 12

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Kat Dennings opened up about the harsh comments she faced regarding her appearance during her early years in the entertainment industry.

In a candid interview with People, the 38-year-old '2 Broke Girls' alum revealed that she was often criticized for her looks, even as a young child, but she learned to brush off those negative remarks and prove the critics wrong.

Kat Dennings opens up about distressing audition experiences

Kat Dennings, who has been acting for decades, shared how difficult the environment was when she was starting out.

"The time that I was auditioning and starting to act, it was a very different environment than it is now," she recalled.

 "There was not a lot of inclusivity at all. It was very harsh. There was a lot of extremely negative feedback and people would not hold back," she added.

One of the most painful experiences Dennings remembers was when casting directors were openly cruel, even when discussing a child.

"It was pretty crazy thinking about it. I'm like, 'How can anyone say that about a little kid? This is insane,'" she said. "For example, I was 12. I'd go into an audition and I'd do it, and my manager would call me and I'd be like, 'How'd it go?' And they'd be like, 'Well, they thought you weren't pretty enough and you're fat'."

Despite the hurtful comments, Dennings refused to let them affect her.

"That was my attitude. For some reason, it didn't break my spirit. I was like, 'I'll show them,'" she quipped. "I guess props to my parents, because they were like, 'They're idiots. Don't listen to them.' And I was like, 'They're idiots, I'm not'."

The actress also discussed how the industry has changed since then, noting that Hollywood is now a much "softer, kinder" environment.

"There's body positivity, there's inclusivity, there's representation, and there was none of that before. It was really gross," she said, reflecting on how much the culture has evolved.

Dennings made her first onscreen appearance in 'Sex and the City'. She had a guest role on the legendary HBO series at age 14 when she played Samantha Jones’ (Kim Cattrall) wealthy heiress client, Jenny Brier, in the Season 3 episode ‘Hot Child in the City’ in 2000.

Kat Dennings says 'Shifting Gears' role was 'meant-to-be thing' for her

Kat Dennings took the same determined attitude into her latest project, the ABC sitcom 'Shifting Gears', where she stars alongside Tim Allen. She explained that a tough time between jobs led her to manifest her dream role.

"I was like, ‘God, I don’t know what I want to do. I am just feeling so crazy,’” she recalled. It wasn't long before she received a call to join 'Shifting Gears', a show that felt like "meant-to-be thing" for the actress.

Working with Allen, whom Dennings described as a "cultural mainstay" and a key part of her childhood consciousness, was a surreal experience.

"He's Santa Claus [in 'The Santa Clause' films] and Buzz Lightyear [in the 'Toy Story' franchise]. He's a big part of my consciousness growing up, so it was very surreal to work with him, but in a great way, because he's a very kind person," she added.

'Shifting Gears' airs Wednesdays at 8.00 pm ET on ABC.

Internet slams 'harsh' Hollywood after Kat Dennings reveals cruel audition experiences

Social media users were outraged after Kat Dennings revealed the harsh body-shaming comments she faced as a child during auditions. Fans praised the actress for speaking out and calling attention to Hollywood's toxic standards and lack of inclusivity.

A user said, "It's heartbreaking to hear how harsh the industry can be. Kudos to Kat Dennings for speaking out and breaking barriers for inclusivity and body positivity."

Another added, "Even as an "actor" a 12 yo shouldn't have to be "pretty" the industry is cooked."

One user remarked, "But she's gorgeous, people can be so cruel."

"Heartbreaking to hear Kat Dennings went through that at 12.. Hollywood's lack of inclusivity back then was brutal...," said a fan of Dennings.

A person said, "She’s Cute, But Hollywood is full of creeps."

Another chimed in, "Hollywood's toxic bodyshaming machine strikes again. A 12year old kid getting brutally judged by grown adults? That's not casting ,that's straightup emotional violence. Kat Dennings survived and THRIVED, proving those crusty directors know nothing about real talent."

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