Jesus loves winners. And 27 years later, we still love Drop Dead Gorgeous. In a recent revelation that has delighted fans of the cult classic, Kirsten Dunst shared which of her extensive filmography her children have had the chance to see. The iconic actress, who has maintained a prolific career since her breakout roles in the 1990s, offered a glimpse into her personal life, specifically concerning her young children’s exposure to her cinematic work.
The topic surfaced as Drop Dead Gorgeous, the darkly comedic beauty pageant satire starring Dunst, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, and Ellen Barkin, recently marked its 27th anniversary on July 23rd. The film, released in 1999, has since transcended its initial box office disappointment and critical mauling to become a beloved cult phenomenon. Its enduring popularity, fueled by quotable lines and a pre-superstardom cast including Amy Adams, Brittany Murphy, and Allison Janney, has led to ongoing discussions and retrospectives, making it a perennial favorite for movie anniversaries.
The Unlikely Rise of a Cult Classic
Drop Dead Gorgeous was an ambitious, albeit ultimately commercially unsuccessful, venture upon its initial release. The dark teen comedy, penned by former beauty pageant queen Lona Williams and directed by Michael Patrick Jann, was conceived as a sharp satire of the often-intense world of local beauty pageants. The film’s premise, which depicted a pageant in Mount Rose, Minnesota, descending into sabotage and murder, was a bold departure from the more lighthearted teen comedies that dominated the cinematic landscape of 1999.
Despite a modest production budget of just under $15 million, Drop Dead Gorgeous only managed to gross $10.5 million during its theatrical run. Critics were largely unimpressed, with Rotten Tomatoes assigning it a mere 46% fresh rating. Publications like Entertainment Weekly delivered scathing reviews, labeling the film "graceless." Legendary film critic Roger Ebert famously questioned the very premise of the screenplay, stating, "Sometimes I wonder how anyone could have thought a screenplay was funny enough to film." This reception painted a bleak picture for the film’s prospects, suggesting it was destined to be a forgotten footnote in the era’s teen comedy boom.
However, time has a way of re-evaluating artistic endeavors, and Drop Dead Gorgeous is a prime example. Its unique blend of biting satire, over-the-top performances, and a surprisingly dark narrative arc resonated with audiences in the years following its release. The film’s mockumentary style, reminiscent of Christopher Guest’s comedies but with a more sinister edge, allowed for a nuanced portrayal of ambition, desperation, and the absurdities of striving for perfection. This slow burn of appreciation has cemented its status as a cult classic, a testament to its ahead-of-its-time sensibility and its ability to find an audience that truly appreciated its dark humor.
Behind the Scenes: A Turbulent Production
The journey from script to screen for Drop Dead Gorgeous was not without its challenges. While the film’s cult status often overshadows its troubled production history, numerous anecdotes reveal a dynamic and sometimes contentious environment on set.
1. The Personal Touch of Lona Williams: The film’s screenplay was deeply rooted in the personal experiences of Lona Williams, who herself was a former Minnesota beauty contestant. Her intimate knowledge of the pageant circuit provided the authentic, albeit exaggerated, backdrop for the story. However, the film’s initial poor reception hit Williams particularly hard. Having won a college scholarship as Minnesota’s Junior Miss, the critical and commercial failure of a project so deeply connected to her own past was a profound disappointment. "It was so hurtful on a deep level," Williams admitted, "because there was so much of myself in this."
2. Writer vs. Director Dynamics: Williams also detailed a strained relationship with the film’s first-time feature director, Michael Patrick Jann. Describing Jann as "a bit of an a–hole," Williams recalled moments of intense frustration on set, including instances where she would retreat to her car to cry, fearing the film would not live up to her vision. Jann, who would not direct another feature film until 2023’s Organ Trail, acknowledged his youthful impetuosity. "I think I probably could have been nicer," he stated. "As a 26-year-old, I was probably a little more like, ‘No, we’re f–king doing it this way. What are you talking about?’ I was maybe a tiny bit insensitive at that time in my life." This creative friction, though difficult at the time, may have contributed to the film’s distinctive, sometimes jarring, tone.
3. Casting Choices and Near Misses: The film’s ensemble cast, now celebrated for their performances, featured several near misses and intriguing casting decisions.
- Melissa Joan Hart’s Audition: Before Kirsten Dunst secured the lead role of Amber Atkins, the ambitious pageant contestant with aspirations of becoming a broadcast journalist like Diane Sawyer, teen queen Melissa Joan Hart had auditioned for the part. However, Hart ultimately starred in the teen rom-com Drive Me Crazy, which was released a few months later in 1999, marking a different trajectory for the Sabrina the Teenage Witch star.
- Dunst’s "Guileless" Appeal: Director Michael Patrick Jann was not swayed by Dunst’s earlier roles in Interview With a Vampire or Jumanji. Instead, it was her appearance on Celebrity Teen Jeopardy! that convinced him she was the right fit for Amber. Jann found her "so sweet and so normal, and so guileless," qualities he believed would make her character’s audacious actions, like grabbing a microphone from a deceased reporter, believable and compelling.
- Initial Choices for Key Roles: The iconic portrayals of Annette Atkins and Gladys Leeman by Ellen Barkin and Kirstie Alley, respectively, were not the studio’s first choices. Goldie Hawn was initially considered for the role of Annette, Amber’s supportive, beer-loving mother. For the fiercely competitive and ultimately murderous Gladys Leeman, Sigourney Weaver was the studio’s preferred casting.
- Kirstie Alley’s On-Set Demeanor: Jann described his experience working with Kirstie Alley as an introduction to a "huge f–king star." He recounted Alley’s first day of filming, during which she announced she had quit smoking, was on a diet, and was experiencing her period, adding, "And she’s not f–king kidding." Furthermore, reports suggest Alley was reluctant to wear some of the wardrobe options, requesting them to be sent to the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood for fittings.
4. Title Troubles: The film was initially intended to be titled Dairy Queens. However, the corporation that owns the Dairy Queen brand allegedly took issue with the association, leading to a lawsuit that ultimately forced the filmmakers to change the title to Drop Dead Gorgeous. This legal dispute highlights the challenges of navigating brand recognition and potential defamation, even in satirical contexts.
Breakthrough Performances and Enduring Legacies
Drop Dead Gorgeous served as a significant stepping stone for several actors who would go on to achieve considerable fame and critical acclaim.
5. Amy Adams’ Feature Film Debut: For Amy Adams, who played the promiscuous cheerleader Leslie Miller, the film marked her feature film debut. Her presence on set was immediately recognized as special. Allison Janney, who played Loretta, Annette’s best friend, recalled Adams’ immediate impact, stating, "I remember Amy coming in, and immediately I was like, ‘Well, that’s it, she’s got that part.’" Adams herself described the experience as surreal, realizing at that moment that a career in Hollywood was a tangible possibility, even if it started with securing commercials. Adams would later go on to receive six Oscar nominations, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
6. Allison Janney’s Uncredited Start: While Allison Janney is now an Oscar and multiple Emmy winner, she initially had a less prominent role in Drop Dead Gorgeous. She revealed that she only auditioned for the movie thanks to Brittany Murphy, who was initially cast as contestant Lisa Swenson. Janney believes Murphy recommended her to casting director John Papsidera. Janney’s character, Loretta, was known for her distinctive, over-the-top style, including a confused sense of glamour and an intense tan. She also admitted to only having one ad-libbed line in the entire film, a testament to her early career in learning the nuances of improvisation. Despite her significant role, Janney was not invited to the film’s premiere, a common practice for actors not featured on the promotional poster due to cost considerations.
7. The Impact of "I Got Some!": Janney’s proudest ad-libbed moment in the film was the line, "I got some!" Reflecting on her character’s aesthetic, she collaborated with the wardrobe department to create Loretta’s unique look, including the striking orange tan and mismatched makeup, aiming for a "trailer park-tinged sense of glamour."
8. Fan Encounters and Cult Recognition: For many of the film’s cast members, Drop Dead Gorgeous continues to be the project that fans most frequently approach them about. Allison Janney, in particular, has shared numerous anecdotes about fans quoting Loretta’s lines, even once having a surreal encounter at an airport where teenagers were discussing the character, unaware they were sitting next to the actress who portrayed her. This enduring fan engagement underscores the film’s lasting impact on popular culture.
9. Matt Molloy’s "Pervert" Encounters: Matt Molloy, who played John Dough, a pageant judge with questionable intentions, has experienced peculiar fan interactions. He recounted multiple instances where teenage girls have recognized him in public and yelled, "You’re the pervert!" He clarifies to them that it was a role in a movie, but the immediate recognition highlights the indelible impression his character made, for better or worse.
10. Denise Richards’ Controversial Scene: Denise Richards’ portrayal of the wealthy and vindictive Becky Leeman included a now-infamous scene where she performed a jarring rendition of Frankie Valli’s "Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You" while dancing with a Jesus doll on a crucifix. This scene, a deliberate shock to the system, proved too much for some of the extras on set, who were reportedly offended and walked off the set.
11. The Gilmore Girls Connection: Producer Gavin Polone suggested a fascinating link between Drop Dead Gorgeous and the beloved television series Gilmore Girls. Polone reportedly pitched the mother-daughter dynamic between the close-in-age Annette and Amber to Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, claiming, "Gilmore Girls wouldn’t exist if I had not produced that movie." While speculative, the idea that such a foundational element of Gilmore Girls could stem from a dark pageant satire is an intriguing thought for fans of both projects.
Enduring Themes and A Legacy of Satire
Drop Dead Gorgeous stands as a unique entry in the late 1990s teen comedy landscape. While films like 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, and American Pie defined the era’s more mainstream offerings, Drop Dead Gorgeous carved out its own niche with its willingness to delve into darker themes and employ a more biting satirical edge.
12. A Darker Ending: The film’s original ending was even more twisted than what audiences eventually saw. Director Michael Patrick Jann revealed that in the initial cut, Kirstie Alley’s character, Gladys Leeman, committed suicide in prison. The original script also had the librarian Iona Hildebrandt, rather than Gladys, responsible for the shooting spree. Test audiences found this version too extreme, leading to the revised, albeit still shocking, conclusion.
13. The Drop Dead Gorgeous vs. 10 Things I Hate About You Parallel: The film’s release in 1999 coincided with Heath Ledger’s iconic cover of "Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You" in 10 Things I Hate About You. The contrasting reception of these two performances of the same song—one a mainstream romantic gesture, the other a darkly comedic, offensive act—symbolizes the differing paths of their respective films. While 10 Things I Hate About You became a quintessential teen rom-com, Drop Dead Gorgeous found its audience later, appreciated for its audacity and dark humor.
14. Lona Williams’ Follow-Up Project: Following her challenging experience on Drop Dead Gorgeous, Lona Williams worked on the 2001 dark comedy Sugar & Spice. However, significant script alterations after the Columbine school shooting led her to have her name removed from the credits, with the writing attributed to the fictional "Mandy Nelson." This underscores the sensitive nature of dark comedies and the impact of real-world tragedies on artistic expression.
15. Reunions and Enduring Friendships: The bonds formed on set have, in some cases, endured. Allison Janney fondly referred to Kirsten Dunst as "Kiki" during their time on Drop Dead Gorgeous, and described Dunst, Richards, and Murphy as "just really sweet, lovely girls." More recently, Janney and Ellen Barkin, who played best friends Annette and Loretta, reunited on screen in the 2021 film Breaking News in Yuba County, demonstrating the lasting professional relationships forged during the filming of the cult classic.
In response to the question of which of her films her children have seen, Kirsten Dunst has indicated that her children are still quite young and have not yet been exposed to the darker, more mature themes present in much of her work, including Drop Dead Gorgeous. This is a common parental decision for actors with extensive and varied filmographies. As her children grow, it is likely that the iconic performances of their mother in films like Drop Dead Gorgeous will eventually be shared, allowing them to appreciate her early career and the film’s unique place in cinematic history. The enduring appeal of Drop Dead Gorgeous suggests that its legacy will continue to be celebrated, introducing new generations to its peculiar brand of dark humor and its unforgettable characters.
