Sabrina Carpenter’s career might have taken a completely different turn—if not for one fateful rejection. Comedian and creator Whitney Cummings recently revealed that the Nonsense singer and actress was once turned down for a role on ABC’s The Conners, the spinoff of the legendary sitcom Roseanne.
A “Blessing in Disguise”
Speaking at ELLE’s Women in Hollywood Celebration on November 19, Cummings, 42, reflected on her career and the lessons she’s learned from facing rejection in the entertainment industry. “This business is mostly rejection,” she told PEOPLE at the event, held at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. “You have to get super comfortable with it.”
While rejection is often seen as a setback, Cummings argued it can also be a blessing. “It means there’s availability for something even better,” she said, pointing to Sabrina Carpenter, now 25, as a prime example.
Sabrina Carpenter and The Conners
Cummings, who briefly served as a showrunner for The Conners, revealed that Carpenter auditioned for a role on the sitcom but was ultimately turned down. “Thank God we said no,” Cummings joked, implying that the decision freed Carpenter to pursue opportunities more aligned with her immense talent.
Carpenter’s Skyrocketing Career
Since then, Carpenter has become a household name, carving out a multifaceted career as a singer-songwriter and actress. From her chart-topping albums like Emails I Can’t Send to her scene-stealing roles in movies such as Emergency and Work It, Carpenter’s career trajectory proves that sometimes the doors that close lead to even greater ones opening.
Rejection: A Catalyst for Success
Cummings’ story about Carpenter underscores the unpredictable nature of Hollywood. “Rejection is part of the process,” Cummings said. “Sometimes, you don’t get a role because there’s something bigger and better waiting for you.”
It’s hard to imagine where Carpenter’s career might have gone if she’d landed a role on The Conners. But one thing is clear: Her rejection didn’t hold her back—it propelled her forward.
Sabrina Carpenter’s journey is a testament to the idea that rejection isn’t the end—it’s just a redirection to something extraordinary. And as Cummings so aptly put it, “Thank God we said no.”
