The 1970 song that almost cost Margaret Qualley her big break: “A terrible choice”

Margaret Qualley’s attempt to land a role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood initially went badly: she was turned down after adding a song to her audition. She later received another chance, won the part of Pussycat and impressed Tarantino enough for him to expand her role.

Qualley told W Magazine she sang “Always Is Always Forever”, a 1970 song written by Charles Manson, despite being nervous and considering it a poor choice. Tarantino asked her to screen-test with Brad Pitt, then wrote additional lines for her character. The film made more than $400 million and received 10 Oscar nominations; Qualley went on to earn Golden Globe nominations for Maid and The Substance.