The actress recently sat down with her Materialists co-star and friend, Pedro Pascal, in an interview for ELLE UK.

The film Materialists centres around Pacal’s character, Randy, a millionaire bachelor looking to sweep professional matchmaker Lucy, played by Johnson, off her feet.

While landing a role in one of the year’s most highly anticipated films seems fitting for Johnson, fame didn’t come so easily for the 35-year-old. She explained that after graduating, she applied to the New York performing arts school, Juilliard, but didn’t get in.

“That f*cking process was so awful and terrifying,” she said.

“I didn’t get in, and my dad cut me off because I didn’t go to college. So, I started auditioning. I think I was 19 when I did The Social Network, and then little jobs and stuff after that…”

Pascal prompted Johnson to reflect on whether it was a “scary year” after leaving high school.

“For a couple of years, it was hard to make money,” Johnson admitted.

“There were a few times when I’d go to the market and not have money in my bank account or not be able to pay rent, and I’d have to ask my parents for help – I’m very grateful that I had parents that could help me and did help me. But it certainly was not fun. The auditioning process, as you know, is the f*cking worst.”

Materialists is set to hit Australian cinemas on 12 June.