The actress revealed on Monday's Live! With Kelly & Michael that those behind the project thought she was "too old" at 22 to play the 16 year-old heroine in the film.

She revealed she wrote a letter to producers that if she “was lucky to be entrusted with the role” that the knew she had a “great responsibility.”

The letter took her over five hours to write but in the long run her philosophy about playing tragic heroine Hazel revealed that you “don’t need to lead a long life to lead a meaningful life.”

Needless to say, she got the role and nailed the part!

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The Midtown Atlanta skyline is shown in the background as an employee works in Cargill's new office, Jan. 16, 2025, in Atlanta.  (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com