Shocking Secrets About Drop Dead Gorgeous Revealed

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Jesus loves winners. And 26 years later, we still love Drop Dead Gorgeous. 

To evoke the bittersweet nostalgia of your youth’s departure, let us recall that the witty satire “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” a beauty pageant film featuring stars like Kirsten Dunst, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley, and Ellen Barkin, was first released on July 23, 1999.

The teen dark comedy, penned by the ex-beauty pageant queen Lona Williams and helmed by Michael Patrick Jann, could be described as what would happen if Miss Congeniality and Heathers had a child who matured and adopted a gothic lifestyle.

Ever since its release, I’ve been utterly captivated by this movie that has grown to be a cherished cult classic – it’s brimming with witty one-liners and boasts an ensemble cast who would later become household names (shout out to Amy Adams, Brittany Murphy, and Allison Janney). Yet, despite its charm, Drop Dead Gorgeous was met with box office failure and critical scorn when it debuted right in the midst of the teen comedy boom of 1999.

Although it wasn’t widely recognized as such, it was certainly one of the more intelligent inventions and far ahead of similar creations from that era.

While it didn’t gain much popularity, it was undeniably one of the most innovative and well before its time.

Another option: Although not widely acknowledged as such, it was definitely among the smartest inventions and light years ahead of its contemporaries.

With a production budget of approximately $14.9 million, the film Drop Dead Gorgeous managed to earn $10.5 million at the box office upon release. Critics gave it a 46% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie Drop Dead Gorgeous cost around $14.9 million to make, but it only made $10.5 million when shown in theaters. Critics gave it a 46% positive review on Rotten Tomatoes.

Entertainment Weekly graded it with a ‘D’, describing it as “ungraceful”, whereas the late Roger Ebert often pondered over how anyone could believe a screenplay was amusing enough for a movie adaptation.

Ding, fried it up!

Despite seemingly insurmountable challenges, the film Drop Dead Gorgeous eventually earned cult status. Initially overlooked, it was a unique, dark comedy that audiences came to appreciate more deeply over time.

Before the film faced negative criticism and poor performance, there were already tensions on set. The young writer and director had disagreements, while one of the actors displayed behaviors typical of a diva.

By the way, it’s interesting to note that one highly renowned actress first appeared on screen in the movie “Drop Dead Gorgeous“, and there are whispers that the series “Gilmore Girls” might have drawn some inspiration from this very film.

In honor of its anniversary, here are some secrets you might not know about Drop Dead Gorgeous…

The movie “Drop Dead Gorgeous” drew inspiration from the real-life experiences of screenwriter Lona Williams, who was once a Minnesota beauty pageant contestant. Unfortunately, when the film initially flopped at the box office and received negative reviews, Williams, who had won a college scholarship as Minnesota’s Junior Miss, felt disheartened. “It was incredibly painful on a personal level,” she confessed, “because so much of myself was reflected in this.

As a lifestyle expert looking back, even before the less-than-favorable critiques and financial struggles at the box office, my personal experiences on set were far from ideal when working alongside first-time director Michael Patrick Jann. Our creative visions often seemed to collide, leading to occasional disagreements.

She told Buzzfeed that she thought [Jann] was somewhat rude, as she remembered going out in the rain, crying, and having a breakdown in her rental car because she feared the situation might slip away and not turn out as she had envisioned. There were a few instances like that, and then she composed herself…she definitely didn’t have a good opinion of him.

Jann, who won’t direct another movie until the 2023 release of “Organ Trail“, confessed, “I believe I could have been kinder. At age 26, I might have come across as a bit harsh, saying something like, ‘We’re definitely doing it this way. What are you suggesting?’ I may have shown less sensitivity during that phase of my life.

For Williams, another disheartening incident occurred when a film producer reportedly suggested she was past her prime and couldn’t play a brief role as a candy striper. Instead, they offered her a minor part without lines, portraying the third pageant judge, which is essentially an unspoken extra role that typically comes with lower pay compared to speaking roles.

Originally, the movie was intended to be named “Dairy Queens,” but the company that owns Dairy Queen apparently disapproved of this idea or the connection to the mockumentary-style dark comedy. As a result, they filed a lawsuit, and the movie ended up being titled “Drop Dead Gorgeous” instead.

 

5. Prior to Kirsten Dunst securing the lead role of Amber Atkins, who aspired to be like Diane Sawyer, Melissa Joan Hart, best known for her role in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, initially tried out for the part. Instead, she went on to star in Drive Me Crazy, a teen romantic comedy that was released a few months afterwards.

In the process of choosing Dunst for the role, it wasn’t her breakthrough performances in “Interview With a Vampire” or “Jumanji” that made Jann believe she could portray Amber; instead, it was her appearance on “Celebrity Teen Jeopardy” that sealed the deal.

He commented, “She was incredibly kind, ordinary, and honest,” he said. “This is the girl who could snatch the microphone from a deceased reporter without a hint of guile and continue reporting cheerfully. There’s no malice in her, no scheming…for someone who had been acting since she was very young, she was comfortable being uncomfortable, which I found endearing.

It may seem unthinkable that anyone else could play Annette Atkins and Gladys Leeman other than Ellen Barkin and Kirstie Alley, but interestingly enough, they weren’t originally the first picks for their roles. Goldie Hawn was initially considered for the role of Amber’s supportive and beer-loving mom (“I believe she would have been less coarse,” Jann said to Buzzfeed), while Sigourney Weaver was the studio’s preferred choice for the highly competitive and ultimately lethal Gladys.

7. “Jann described his initial encounter with Alley as ‘Wow, that person is incredibly famous.’ This was how he recounted their first day of filming to Buzzfeed. He shared that on her debut, she declared that she had quit smoking, was on a diet, and was menstruating – and she was absolutely serious.

He claimed that she declined wearing several costumes chosen by the wardrobe team for Gladys, preferring to have those outfits delivered to the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood so she could examine and potentially wear them there instead.

8. In “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” Amy Adams made her first appearance in a full-length film. Over time, this talented actress garnered six Oscar nominations. From the very beginning, it was evident to everyone on set that Adams, portraying the seductive cheerleader Leslie Miller, possessed an extraordinary talent.

In the whirlwind of memories that still linger from the audition room, I can vividly recall Amy walking in – and in an instant, my thoughts were, “That’s it! She was born for this role.” This sentiment, shared by yours truly with BuzzFeed, rings true as the actress who played my cherished friend Loretta, Allison Janney.

However, a funny twist of fate unfolded when our paths crossed again in a different setting. As we bonded over meals during filming in Pittsburgh for her guest appearance on my beloved series The West Wing, she casually mentioned, “Hey, do you remember I was in Drop Dead Gorgeous?” That moment still makes me chuckle as I reminisce about it with VH1.

During an interview with Cinema Blend, Adams shared, “That film was my very first project! The entire experience felt incredibly unreal to me. It was the moment I understood, ‘Perhaps I can venture to Hollywood and potentially secure some commercial work.’

In the course of her acting career, which included a seven-season stint on “The West Wing” that earned her four out of her seven Emmys and later won her an Oscar in 2018 for “I, Tonya”, Allison Janney had the opportunity to audition for the movie. This chance came about due to Brittany Murphy, who was initially cast as character Lisa Swenson, tragically passing away before filming began.

In a recent conversation with The Huffington Post, as a lifestyle expert looking back, I shared my experience of performing “A View From the Bridge” on Broadway alongside the remarkable Brittany Murphy. When discussing her role in “Drop Dead Gorgeous”, I recalled John Papsidera, who cast that film, had done so because, as far as I remember, Brittany had auditioned for it and persuaded him to include me if my memory serves me correctly.

10. Having mastered improvisation, Janney admitted that she deviated from the script just once during “Drop, Dead Gorgeous”. Speaking with the Huffington Post, she said, “I’m particularly proud of my one ad-lib: ‘I got some!'” She added, “That was my only instance of improvisation because I wasn’t skilled at it early in my career.” However, she did contribute to creating Loretta’s unique appearance, such as her exaggerated orange tan.

She suggested that perhaps her neck could have a different complexion than her face, and we pondered over the fact that her idea of elegance might not resonate with everyone. She often favors an eccentric style, perhaps wearing blue eyeshadow with bold red lipstick. Her sense of glamour, tinged by influences from a trailer park setting, seems somewhat puzzling.

Despite going on to achieve great fame and success in the film industry, Janney was not asked to attend the premier of “Drop Dead Gorgeous” in 1999.

The actress from Mom clarified: “I wasn’t featured on the poster; they rarely ask for your presence if you’re not on the poster. It’s because it costs money for the studio to bring people, including me, which they wouldn’t want to spend unnecessarily, given that everyone in the film can’t be invited.

Matt Molloy portrayed John Dough, a local pageant judge who displayed too much interest in the young contestants, and this role has led to some unfavorable interactions with fans throughout his career.

On six occasions throughout my life, I found myself in crowded public places such as a mall or a bakery, and each time, a teenage girl would suddenly shout at me, ‘You’re the pervert!'” he said to Buzzfeed. “In response, I would raise my hands and say, ‘This is a scene from a movie. This is a scene from a movie. Complete your sentence.’ However, there would be a pause where everyone around would turn their gaze, leaving me feeling as if I was hanging by a thread.

In one of the movie’s memorable scenes, the character Becky, portrayed by Denise Richards as a wealthy young woman, delivers an off-key (in multiple aspects) interpretation of Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” while dancing with a doll resembling Jesus on a cross. This scene has become legendary in cult cinema, but some of the background actors who were present during the filming of this performance found it less than enjoyable.

In the midst of my presentation, I encountered some displeasure, to the point where they decided to exit the stage and depart. I shared this with VH1, a trusted outlet for all things entertainment.

Certainly, another well-known rendition of Valli’s hit emerged in 1999: Heath Ledger’s performance on the bleachers in the movie “10 Things I Hate About You.” The contrast between this mainstream success and the cult following of the film illustrates the enduring legacy of “Drop Dead Gorgeous” among 1999’s teen comedies. Although it took some time to find its audience, “10 Things,” along with “She’s All That,” “American Pie,” and “Jawbreaker,” were instrumental in launching the golden age of this genre.

Screenwriter Williams had an unsatisfactory stint on Drop Dead Gorgeous, which was later followed by Sugar & Spice in 2001. However, she removed her name from the project after significant revisions to the cheerleaders-turned-bank robbers dark comedy were made following the Columbine school shooting of 1999. The final script credits went to a fictional character named Mandy Nelson.

15. During her conversation with Huffington Post, Janney shared a cute pet name she used for Dunst, saying, “I enjoyed getting to know Kirsten, or Kiki, as they referred to her on set—I’m not sure what they call her these days.” She went on to describe Dunst, Richards, Murphy, and Adams as “simply delightful, wonderful young women.

16. Surprisingly, it’s often the film “Drop Dead Gorgeous” that fans bring up when discussing Janney’s impressive career. As she shared with The A.V. Club, she encounters more people expressing their affection for that movie than any other project she’s worked on, even her time on “The West Wing.

One memorable fan experience she shared with Huffington Post was when she overheard some teenagers reciting lines reminiscent of a character named Loretta, in an airport. After a moment of recognition, she realized they were discussing her role as Loretta. She approached them and revealed her identity, which led to screams of excitement and a photo opportunity. They hadn’t recognized they were seated next to her the whole time. It was a delightful encounter.

17. In an unexpected choice for the cast, renowned Japanese actress Seiko Matsuda was added to the film following New Line’s sale of its international rights. This was an attempt to draw in Japanese cinema-goers, and she ended up with a minor role as Molly Howard’s sister.

18. With a pinch of skepticism, considering it came from Gavin Polone at Luke’s Diner, here’s an interesting tidbit: Gavin Polone, one of the producers, shared with Buzzfeed that he was captivated by the mother-daughter relationship depicted between Annette and Amber in Drop Dead Gorgeous. Fascinated, he proposed this concept to Amy Sherman-Palladino, who later created Gilmore Girls.

According to Polone, the show “Gilmore Girls” wouldn’t be around if he hadn’t made that film. (It’s quite possible that Lorelai and Rory would have enjoyed watching “Drop Dead Gorgeous” during one of their numerous movie marathons.)

19. While the film’s ending is already pretty dark, the initial version was even more twisted 

Jann disclosed to Buzzfeed that in the original conclusion, Kirstie took her own life in prison. The following scene showed only her feet dangling from a jail cell, which eventually dropped down to an ashtray with a burning cigarette. It was later revealed that Iona Hildebrandt, a former librarian and one-time Mount Rose American Teen Princess, was the character who initially went on a shooting spree in the revised version.

Jann noted that the test audience collectively sighed disapprovingly at the movie’s conclusion. It seemed they found it excessive and had crossed a boundary, she added.

For over two decades following our collaboration on “Drop Dead Gorgeous” as inseparable friends Annette and Loretta, I had the pleasure of joining forces with my dear friend Janney once more on the 2021 film “Breaking News in Yuba County.

Wow, this feels like coming full circle for me! Back then and now, working with the fantastic Ellen Barkin has been an absolute pleasure. I even called her a dream to work with in the past. In a 2019 Instagram post, I shared an adorable backstage moment from our time together on #DropDeadGorgeous. And guess what? We’re reunited again on #breakingnewsinyubacounty! More full circles are on the horizon!

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2025-07-23 13:17