Kerry Washington celebrated the 20th anniversary of Save The Last Dance (Picture: Paramount)
Kerry Washington celebrated the 20th anniversary of Save The Last Dance with a throwback photo of the cast, saying it helped change stereotypes about black teen mothers.
Released on January 12, 2001 in the US, it followed Sara (Julia Stiles), a white teenager who moves to a mostly black neighbourhood after her mum dies and falls for Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), a black teenager with a rough past.
Kerry played Chenille, Derek’s sister, who ends up befriending Sara.
It’s loved for its soundtrack, culture clash dialogue, and Sara’s classic audition scene.
The actress shared a picture of the film’s stars, including Julia, Sean and Garland Whitt on Instagram on Tuesday along with a message about her memories of being on set.
She wrote: ‘OH EM GEE!!!!! Save the Last Dance turns 20 years old today ?????!
‘Playing Chenille changed my life. I read that script and I felt like I KNEW her.
‘At the time, I also knew the narrative that was being served in culture about who Black teen moms are. And I knew that if done right, this was an opportunity to transform some stereotyped thinking and make this young woman REAL. And human. And deserving of love and attention.’
She added: ‘I loooooved being a part of this film This cast. This crew. So many “slammin” memories!’
Sean also shared his own thoughts on social media with a couple of black and white behind-the-scenes cast pictures.
He said: ‘Save The Last Dance premiered 20 years ago and we shocked the world, including myself. Never imagined the film would be as beloved as it is.
‘Thank you @missjuliastiles for being an incredible partner…to @fatima_noir & @rtbrothas & @punchcity1 for pushing me..to my castmates @kerrywashington, @fredro_starr, #VinceGreen, what fun…my man #JeffRoda✊? Very proud today. We did good…’
Save The Last Dance wasn’t released until March 2001 in the UK.
