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VIDEO: 'Country Strong's' Shana Feste on Gwyneth Paltrow: 'I Knew She Had The Chops'

12:21 PM PST 11/24/2010 by Jenna Bordelon

Director Shana Feste reveals why she cast Gwyneth Paltrow as a singer in "Country Strong."

Country Strong's Shana Feste thought choosing Gwyneth Paltrow to play the role of emotionally unstable country star, Kelly Canter, was "surprising" to say the least.

We caught up with Feste on the red carpet at THR's annual Next Gen party on Nov. 16.

"She wasn’t the first person you thought of when you think 'country singer,' and I thought that was cool," Feste explained. "And then, I knew she had the chops to pull it off."

But did Feste make Paltrow audition for the role? And what band's music did co-star Garrett Hedlund audition with? Watch our interview to find out.

Country Strong opens in theaters Jan. 7.

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