Michael Starr In ‘Rockstar’: Who Really Saw Jennifer Aniston?
It’s no secret that Steel Panther‘s frontman Michael Starr appeared in the cult film “Rockstar” from 2001. However, he wasn’t the only rock star featured in the movie; several other well-known musicians also had roles, including Zakk Wylde, Jeff Pilson, Jason Bonham, Myles Kennedy, Blas Elias, and others.
Regardless of whether the role was big or small, appearing in a movie that gained cult status in the world of rock music was a significant milestone.
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Recently, Michael Starr reflected on that moment in his career on the podcast Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown. But before diving into his reflections, let’s recall how the famous rock singer even landed the role in “Rockstar.”
The Unexpected Audition
In a 2020 article shared by Ultimate Guitar, Michael Starr revealed that he wasn’t even supposed to audition “Rockstar”. The opportunity arose unexpectedly when he took a girl he met in a club the day before, to the audition for the same movie. Recalling the moment, Starr said:
“So we got up in the morning, we got to the audition; she went in, came back out, ‘Alright, let’s go.’ And a guy comes up and says, ‘Hey, you look like you’d be perfect for this role we have. Would you come in and read it right now?'”
Starr continued, “I was like, ‘Alright, cool.’ So I got in, read the script—luckily, it was 10 lines at most—and then I got a call that said, ‘Hey, we want to hire you to be in the movie.’ I’m like, ‘What?'”
Interestingly, the girl he accompanied didn’t get the part, but Michael Starr did. He appears in the movie during an audition scene singing, as Izzy and Emily (portrayed by Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston) enter the studio. The pair exchange glances with Starr as he leaves, marking his brief but memorable appearance.
Metal Shop/Metal Skool Era
It’s worth noting that during the filming of “Rockstar” in the early 2000s, Steel Panther did not yet exist as a band or an act. However, the same lineup (Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx, and Stix) was performing in Los Angeles under the name Metal Shop, later known as Metal Skool. In his latest interview on Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown, Michael Starr emphasized that the band performed every Monday in Hollywood for almost 12 years. This consistency allowed the future members of Steel Panther to connect with many famous musicians.
Truth About Jennifer Aniston
The podcast host then shifted the conversation to Myles Kennedy, who also had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in “Rockstar,” comparing his role to Starr’s. Michael responded in his typical humorous style, “Yes, I did. And the cool thing about my split-second appearance was that I got to spend three days with Jennifer Aniston.”
While it’s unclear how much interaction Starr actually had with Jennifer Aniston during those three days, he shared a memorable story from the set. The host attempted to stir things up by mentioning Blas Elias, the drummer of Slaughter, who claimed that Jennifer personally bandaged his arm after he was injured during a scene. In response, Michael shared his own amusing encounter:
“While I was getting my makeup done, a girl next to me was on the phone with her boyfriend saying, ‘I love you.’ I’m like, ‘Oh my god.’ I couldn’t stand it, it was killing me.” After she finished the call and turned around, Michael realized it was non other than Jennifer Aniston talking to her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt.
Hilarious Contest
The most amusing part of the podcast was when the host mentioned that Blas Elias had shared the same story about Jennifer talking with her boyfriend. Michael quickly objected, saying, “Well, hold on, hold on. That’s bullshit. That’s not true. There is no way Blas was in the room when she was talking to him.”
Michael then added humorously, “Well, then I saw Jennifer Aniston change… Change right in front of me,” trying to outdo Blas’s story. Of course, he later admitted he was joking and had not seen the famous actress changing in front of him.
A Real Hollywood Story
A real Hollywood story, isn’t it? Regardless of how it all actually happened, it’s always interesting to hear one like that. And who can remember after so many years? If you want, listen to the full interview for more interesting details. This was a three-part interview that also featured guests John 5 from Mötley Crüe and Ray West, the singer of Spread Eagle.
For those who love rock music and classic films, Michael Starr’s unexpected journey into “Rockstar” is a story worth hearing.
