‘There Was Like Five Hours’: Grey’s Anatomy Star Chandra Wilson Shares About Taking ‘Rides’ At Universal Studois During Auditions

As a lifestyle expert, I find Chandra Wilson’s journey to be nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to balance her day job at Banker’s Trust with auditions for Grey’s Anatomy while also finding time to ride roller coasters at Universal Studios during breaks is a testament to her resilience and determination.


54-year-old Chandra Wilson reminisced about an amusing incident from her last day of Grey’s Anatomy auditions during a panel at the D23 Disney fan event on August 11. Following a successful tryout for the Dr. Miranda Bailey role with the production team, she had a five-hour gap before her network audition.

During the event, Wilson mentioned that she passed the time by going to Universal Studios and enjoying some rides since there were five hours between auditions. This detail brought laughter from the audience when she shared it later on the panel.

Initially depicted as a petite, fair-haired woman, Wilson nonetheless secured the role and has portrayed Dr. Bailey since the series premiere on March 27, 2005.

As an ardent admirer, I’d like to share a piece of wisdom Wilson received from her agent during those nerve-wracking moments between auditions: “Own the room more.” Guided by this counsel, I drew strength from my mother, a dedicated educator, and brought her essence into my performance of the audition monologue. The scene revolved around Dr. Bailey outlining her “five rules” for her intern class, a role I approached with unwavering conviction.

While residing in New York, Wilson found herself back in the city, believing there was solace in its amusement parks. Yet, within just two days, she discovered she had been cast in a career-defining part.

Over the course of her career on the series, Wilson skillfully juggles both acting and directing roles. Her directorial debut came with a Grey’s Anatomy episode in 2010, and she has since taken on directing responsibilities for episodes of Scandal and The Fosters as well.

As a dedicated actress, I found myself juggling my passion for acting and my day job at Banker’s Trust in New York during the first season of Station 19. My role in the document-processing department was my primary source of income, providing me with the stability and financial security that allowed me to pursue my dreams on the side. However, as we moved into the second season, things began to change.

On a 2021 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I gleefully reminisced about the day my boss had to ask me to take a break from work since they kept spotting me on TV! Eventually, they had no choice but to “persuade” me to step away.

Besides her well-known role in Grey’s Anatomy, Chandra Wilson has also appeared in numerous films and television series throughout her career. Some of these include Philadelphia (1993), Lone Star (1996), Accidental Friendship (2008), Frankie & Alice (2010), Christmas Harmony (2018), Station 19 (from 2018 up until 2024 and beyond), as well as many others.

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2024-08-12 21:07