Actor Glen Powell recently revealed that early in his career he auditioned for the role of Sam Evans on the hit musical series Glee — but the part ultimately went to his then-friend (and now longtime pal) Chord Overstreet. Powell made the admission while chatting on the Therapuss podcast, where he recalled auditioning alongside Overstreet and later moving in with him as the show took off. People.com+1

Powell described the moment with a mix of surprise and fondness: he said they were “in the waiting room at the same time” during auditions and that both of them were short-listed for Sam. When Overstreet landed the role, Powell watched from close range as his friend joined what he called “the biggest show in the world” at the time — an experience he called “crazy,” especially since the two became roommates while Glee propelled Overstreet to fame. People.com+1

That near-miss is a reminder of how single casting decisions can redirect careers. Glee (2009–2015) became a cultural phenomenon that launched several young performers into the spotlight; landing a recurring role could mean instant visibility, while losing it often meant taking a different route to success. Powell, who didn’t get Sam Evans, went on to build a steady acting résumé and has become a recognizable movie lead in projects such as Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You and the disaster film Twisters, among others. EW.com+1

Overstreet’s own casting story has been told in interviews before: he has described rushing to a surprise audition with a guitar and being asked back after an initial musical tryout — a swift turn of events that helped land him the Sam Evans role that became central to his early career. That kind of quick turnaround is typical of high-pressure TV casting rooms, where a single callback can change everything. greginhollywood.com

Powell’s anecdote also underlines the friendships and rivalries that form in acting classes and audition waiting rooms. He’s been publicly warm about Overstreet — and even after losing the part, Powell remained close, sharing a house with the new Glee star and witnessing the show’s meteoric rise from an unusually intimate vantage point. The story is part career trivia, part human moment: two young actors chasing the same break, one wins, the other keeps working — and both end up successful in their own ways. People.com+1

Industry observers often point out that such “almost-casts” are common. Other Glee casting anecdotes have detailed similar moments of tension and competition among hopefuls — a dynamic that can be awkward on set when actors who auditioned for the same part later work together. Still, Powell framed his experience in affectionate terms: no hard feelings, and plenty of respect for the trajectory his friend took. Business Insider+1