Heather Burns Celebrates Perfect Date Myth and Her Iconic Miss Congeniality Role

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Twenty-five years ago, Heather Burns declared April 25th the perfect date. 

In the year 2000’s film Miss Congeniality, her cheerfully peppy persona remarked, “It’s just right, neither too hot nor too cold,” to which she suggested, “A light coat should do the trick.

And while temperatures fluctuate, fans’ infatuation with the film stays the same. 

Each year, it appears the event grows a bit more, Burns shared with TopMob News, regarding the viral response to the unofficial holiday. “It’s a wonderful day for me because folks pull out all the stops sending memes and such. I wander around town… people offer me free coffee, and it seems everyone is delighted to see me on that particular day.

In an interview with TopMob News, Director Donald Petrie revealed that he altered the script’s date to coincide with his wife’s birthday. Initially, it might seem unlikely anyone other than Burns could deliver that line, but at one point, there was uncertainty about whether she would be part of the film.

Initially, Burns didn’t make it past the audition stage the first time around. However, unexpectedly, there was a shift in director roles, with Petrie taking over, which provided a second opportunity for her to try for the role. The actress sent a video from New York and later flew to Los Angeles to read alongside Sandra Bullock, whose character, an FBI agent named Gracie Hart, disguises herself at the Miss United States pageant after it becomes a target of danger.

According to him, she was exceptionally kind-hearted. That’s just the sort of person she consistently proves herself to be.

Or, in another way:

He remembered that she was incredibly friendly. In fact, she always is. She truly lives up to your expectations about her.

Chicago-born Burns was chosen to portray Miss Rhode Island’s Cheryl Frasier. However, he admitted candidly, “My only link to that state is a possible ancestral connection from the 1600s.

Just as Gracie Bullock went through a significant transformation, Burns did the same. She dyed her hair blonde to distinguish herself from Bullock, who also has dark hair. Additionally, she received baton twirling coaching from Syracuse University and attended school in Pflugerville, Texas.

As a passionate baton-twirler myself, I had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable stand-in during that time. She hailed from the University of Texas at Austin and happened to be pursuing her PhD concurrently. Remarkably, she’d earned a full scholarship for her exceptional skills in baton twirling. Hence, she served as my body double when executing the more complex maneuvers.

However, when it was time to portray Cheryl, Burns didn’t need to search far for motivation. Instead, he explained, “Cheryl seemed to emerge from me effortlessly.” He added, “I can’t pinpoint where she originated.” Interestingly, his neuroscientist mother offers an explanation. She suggests, “That’s your mom impression. That’s something you’ve always had,” Burns shared, giving credit to her for the likeness.

As a lifestyle expert, I must say that one of the most unforgettable scenes in the movie for me is when Cheryl triumphantly wins Miss United States. In an effort to shield her friend from the dangerous device hidden within the crown, Gracie bravely attempts to tear it off her head. Though Cheryl valiantly defends herself with her bouquet, Gracie manages to disarm the bomb and save the day. Filming that particular sequence was a real joy, Burns recalls, and she admits that the spontaneous flower attack – “I think that just came out of nowhere,” she said – added an extra layer of excitement to the scene.

Yet, among all scenes she filmed, the one where Cheryl visits Gracie’s hotel room in her pajamas and curlers for a late-night hot chocolate was her most cherished. As Burns put it, “That scene truly encapsulates Cheryl’s genuine nature.

Beyond the camera’s view, the feeling of camaraderie among pageant competitors was palpable as well; Burns mentioned that she developed a strong bond with her fellow top-five finalists. They all resided in the same hotel in Austin, and Bullock, being a local resident at the time, would frequently treat them to dinners and concerts.

Burns mentioned, “I wasn’t part of a sorority or similar organizations, but during that phase of my life, I had an amazing circle of women who I spent a lot of time with.

In reality, she continues to maintain contact with Melissa De Sousa, who is also known as Miss New York, and even extended a message of congratulations to Bullock following her victory at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards after winning an Oscar for “The Blind Side.

Apart from “Miss Congeniality” and its sequel, there are other notable films on Burns’ extensive portfolio. She has also starred in timeless movies like “You’ve Got Mail” and “Two Weeks Notice”, and has made numerous television appearances, such as on “The Good Fight” and “Julia”. Throughout her career, Burns has played a diverse range of characters, but she will always cherish the role of Cheryl.

She shared, “During that period, her presence made me incredibly joyful. Immersing myself in her role seemed to enhance my overall happiness, and it was particularly noticeable then. Working on those movies brings back such delightful memories for me. The sweetness of the films has had a profound impact on many fans, which I find truly heartwarming, and I’m grateful that our work touched people in such a positive way.

Before diving into your eagerness to watch it, let me encourage you to reacquaint yourself with some hidden gems from the 2000 blockbuster first. After all, a little refresher never hurts!

1. A New Director to the Rescue

Donald Petrie jumped on board at the eleventh hour, taking over from the former director a mere seven weeks before filming commenced. Already confirmed were the roles of Sandra Bullock and Michael Caine, and that was enough to entice him into accepting the position. “To be honest,” Donald revealed in an exclusive interview with TopMob News, “I’m not entirely sure why he abandoned the project. The primary draw for me was working with Sandra Bullock.

2. When in Doubt, Pitch Lethal Weapon Starring Sandra Bullock

Previously, the director seemed to be planning a comedy film satirizing beauty pageants, while Donald proposed a different concept – an action-comedy reminiscent of ‘Lethal Weapon’, with Sandra portraying a tough heroine similar to Mel Gibson. As Donald put it, “If you take a serious approach to something as absurd as a beauty pageant, that’s funny. But if you try to make a joke out of an already humorous situation, it becomes unfunny.

3. Ellen DeGeneres Was the Original Miss Congeniality? 

In 2014, Ellen DeGeneres shared with Parade that the idea for “Miss Congeniality” originated when the film’s writer witnessed her rehearsing in a dress and heels before her Emmys hosting duty. As it turned out, the movie was penned with Ellen in mind.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but wonder: Is there any validity to that? The director confessed his deep affection for Ellen, yet claimed ignorance about the backstory in question. He casually passed the buck to someone else, telling TopMob News, “That’s something only Sandy knows.

4. There’s Something About Benjamin Bratt

In 1998, after the success of “There’s Something About Mary”, Matt Dillon almost secured the role of Eric Matthews, Gracie’s partner. However, the part eventually went to Benjamin Bratt, who already shared a rapport with Sandra Bullock, as they had previously acted together in “Demolition Man,” released in 1993.

Donald recalled that he and Sandra had a strong fondness for Matt, but the actor from “Wild Things” expressed interest in expanding his role. The director clarified that it was challenging because they required someone who could authentically portray an FBI agent yet was comfortable playing second fiddle to Sandra. Frequently, prominent actors prefer to take the lead role.

5. Hair Today, Blonde Tomorrow 

The significant part played by Miss Rhode Island, who later became a close friend of Gracie, was assumed by Heather Burns. At her audition, she had brown hair, but was instructed to color it blonde for the movie to make her stand out visually from Sandra. Donald explained that he didn’t want anyone in the production who resembled Sandra too closely, as he put it, “I didn’t want anyone in the competition that looked like Sandy.

6. Sandra’s Bra Gag Pays Off 

One of the director’s preferred scenes involves a moment when Sandra subtly appears in the backdrop, stuffing donuts into her bra. The viewers might miss this initially, but it becomes noticeable once Gracie is called out for stealing the pastries later on. In the director’s words, “Michael Caine and Benjamin Bratt are having a disagreement, and she’s hidden in between them, putting those donuts into her bra.” The audience might not catch it at first.

7. And the Award for Most Likely to Become a Real Housewife Goes To …

LeeAnne Locken had a minor role as Miss Nebraska and didn’t receive much screen time. Interestingly, though Donald might not remember their interactions clearly, she later became part of the cast on The Real Housewives of Dallas. This was news to him as he exclaimed, “I didn’t know that!

8. 50 Is a Big Number

Donald acknowledged that they didn’t have 50 actresses portray contestants from each state, instead it was around 40. He jokingly said, “From a distance, who will exclaim, ‘Looks like not enough ladies up there!’

9. A Gilmore Girls Star Ended Up on the Cutting Room Floor

In early viewings, the movie originally featured a scene where Gracie arrived late to her father’s wedding. This role was played by the late Edward Herrmann, who is fondly remembered for portraying Richard Gilmore in “Gilmore Girls”. Donald mentioned that Edward was a cherished friend, but his scenes were ultimately cut from the final version. The director reminisced about this scene being quite amusing, and it even appeared in the trailer, although it didn’t show up in the actual movie. The filmmakers explained that it had to be eliminated because the overall length was too extensive.

10. Craft Service Wasn’t Much Fun

Ahead of filming commencing in just under a month, Donald privately spoke to each contestant, including Sandra, discussing potential hurdles related to the movie’s concept. He shared, “I wanted them to understand that we would start shooting in three weeks, and I wouldn’t be seen on screen in a swimsuit, but they would.” Upon hearing this, their reactions ranged from surprise to excitement, as they responded with something like, “Oh, my God, yes!” According to TopMob News, he added, “As a result, the food table on set wasn’t very popular. We made sure it was always filled with nutritious options instead.

11. Sandra Has a New Fallback Career?

In the movie, “Mustang Sally,” covered by Los Lobos, is heard during the scene showcasing the character’s transformation. Interestingly, Sandra herself contributed to the rhythm with a tambourine in this song. As Donald explained, “Everyone picked up an instrument” for the recording. He himself played a shaker. Throughout every aspect of that movie, Sandra was actively involved.

12. If You’re Fighting With Sandra, Be Sure to Wear a Cup

In the initial part of the movie, when Eric was sparring with Gracie in the gym to persuade her to join the beauty pageant, Benjamin had to interrupt because Sandra accidentally struck him in his sensitive area. Donald humorously recounted, “They got into a position where she somehow hit me square in the balls.

13. Sandra Did All of Her Own Stunts

The director playfully commented that Sandra and Benjamin are still upset with him for not employing stunt performers during the movie, as Benjamin quipped, “My back has never recovered,” Donald added with a chuckle. It was evident that they sustained several injuries and soreness from filming the wrestling scene.

14. The Opening Scene Wasn’t in the Script

Screenwriter Marc Lawrence had spent years developing the project across multiple drafts. In a casual conversation with the director, Lawrence casually mentioned that an earlier version of the script began with a scene which ultimately opened the completed movie – a young Gracie confronting and defeating a bully, followed by another act of aggression against the victim. Impressed, the director recognized this as a powerful opening scene and decided it should be included in the final shooting script.

15. The Snort Was Rooted in Reality

Gracie gained fame for her unique laughing sound, which was not part of the written scenario. Donald reminisced about a dinner gathering with the actress, during which he made a joke and she responded with a snort, causing him to exclaim, “Ah, save that!

16. How Do You Make Sandra Bullock Look Like She’s Not a Beauty Queen?

An essential aspect of the movie’s success was determining ways to subtly tone down Sandra’s natural beauty during the initial third of the film. This was accomplished by combining her exceptional acting skills with some strategic assistance from makeup, hairstyling, and lighting. As he put it, “Sandy joked about spending just a half-hour applying makeup to look unattractive, but it took two and a half hours to make her look stunning.” However, he believed that Sandra’s natural beauty was so captivating that she could have easily shown up on set without any makeup. All that was needed was a simple brushing of her hair, and she would radiate breathtaking beauty.

17. Sandra Wanted Food in Her Teeth

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I recall a striking early scene where my character, Michael Caine, treats Gracie to a steak dinner. In this moment, the British pageant expert, that’s me, voices his displeasure upon witnessing a “half-chewed cow, seemingly tumbling about in your expansive, open jaws.

As Donald recalled about the actress, “She deliberately left a morsel of steak lodged between her teeth so she could savor it by sucking on it. I recall them employing dental floss, an item usually used for removing debris from one’s teeth, to instead pull the steak into position between her teeth.

18. The standout scene in the Trailer was an impromptu line by Sandra during her flirtatious interaction with Eric. This scene, where she sang “Do you think I’m beautiful? Do you want to go out with me?” was a crowd favorite in the trailer. Interestingly, this spontaneous moment wasn’t written in the script; it was Sandra who came up with it, as confirmed by Donald.

19. Sandra’s Kiss That Wasn’t Meant to Be

In the playful scene where Gracie initially sings, “Do you want to kiss me?”, it was intended that the duo would actually kiss afterwards. However, during filming, they also shot a scene where Eric pretends to kiss her but instead bites a candy bar, and this alternative take ended up in the final movie. Donald mentioned, “I felt it was premature for them to be kissing at that point in the story.

20. The Classic “Perfect Date” Line Has Special Significance

Each year on April 25th, memes are shared to honor a famous quote from Miss Rhode Island in a film, which she mistakenly thinks is her favorite day instead of her ideal romantic scenario. Interestingly, screenwriter Marc Lawrence originally wrote the line, but Donald later modified it by changing the date to his wife’s birthday.

The director shared, “Were we perhaps discussing April 25th? It’s my wife’s birthday, you see,” he explained, expressing his joy over the annual influx of memes on this special day.

21. Getting the Last Laugh

Donald frequently adds additional scenes to his movies during early edits, as he wants to be prepared if unexpected audience reactions occur. However, critics are not invited to these preview showings. Interestingly, film blogger Harry Knowles managed to sneak into a test screening and delivered one of the most harsh and negative reviews for any movie, even going so far as to accuse him of damaging Sandra Bullock’s career.

Despite initial criticism, it turned out that the film was financially successful, raking in $212 million globally on a budget of only $45 million. In Donald’s words, “I’m just glad the movie became such a massive hit and an enduring comedy classic, bringing in the big bucks. This allows me to give a smug chuckle to that negative review and say, ‘Heh, heh!’

22. The 20-Year Difference

Donald suggested that parts of the movie, such as Gracie’s colleagues making disparaging comments about her and fantasizing about her in revealing outfits, might not be included if the film was produced now. “I believe it would be altered,” he stated regarding certain scenes. “It was made 20 years ago, well before the #MeToo movement and significant shifts in perceptions of gender inequality. While much of it would remain unchanged, you’d definitely need to reconsider certain aspects to make it relevant for today’s cultural climate.

Absolutely, one instance that feels progressive was a scene near the end where a character confesses her identity as gay and declares her love for her girlfriend. Donald expressed that he consistently aims for his movies to be inspired by a “greater cause,” and considers this moment to have fulfilled that goal. He acknowledged the writer Marc Lawrence, and indeed Sandy, for including it in the script, and found it heartwarming.

23. A Different Director Helmed the Sequel

In 2005, Donald chose not to oversee the production of “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,” a film that didn’t receive as much acclaim as its predecessor. In his own words, he felt there wasn’t much benefit for him as a director in making sequels. He also mentioned that, just like with the original 1993 hit “Grumpy Old Men,” he declined to direct its sequel, “Grumpier Old Men.

As a die-hard fan of “Miss Congeniality,” I can’t help but wonder if it might ever return. Yet, when asked about this possibility, dear Donald confessed, “It just wouldn’t feel the same without Sandra.

24. The Movie Gets Chandler’s Stamp of Approval

Donald became certain that the film left a mark after Matthew Perry’s character Chandler expressed his affection for the movie in a 2003 episode of ‘Friends’. “I knew we would become part of popular culture because ‘Friends’ did an episode,” the director stated.

25. The Rom-Com Market Isn’t What It Was in 2000

Donald pointed out that producing and releasing a romantic comedy today is significantly more challenging than it was when “Miss Congeniality” found success. He stated, “For quite some time, before Netflix emerged, romantic comedies were essentially extinct, like the Western genre.” Essentially, he implied that there were few to no rom-coms being produced prior to Netflix’s arrival.

Although there seems to be a revival in romantic comedies, Donald isn’t optimistic that they’ll experience another period of box office success in the near future. He expressed his concerns, stating that streaming platforms were already a significant threat, but the impact of COVID-19 has solidified their dominance.

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2025-04-25 22:48