Kerry Washington marks the 20th anniversary of Save The Last Dance and says it was ‘an opportunity to transform some stereotyped thinking’
She got her start playing a teen mom opposite Julia Stiles in this 2001 dance film.
And Kerry Washington marked the 20th anniversary of Save The Last Dance on Tuesday, with a behind-the-scenes photo and eye-opening message about playing the role of Chenille.
The Scandal star, 43, posted a set photo from the movie to her Instagram, featuring herself with Stiles, male lead Sean Patrick Thomas and Garland Whitt.
Looking back: Kerry Washington marked the 20th anniversary of Save The Last Dance on Tuesday, with a behind the scenes photo and eye-opening message about playing Chenille
‘OH EM GEE!!!!! Save the Last Dance turns 20 years old today!’ Washington wrote, adding a string of scream face emojis.
‘Playing Chenille changed my life. I read that script and I felt like I KNEW her,’ the actress continued.
‘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,’ Kerry added.
‘Playing Chenille changed my life. I read that script and I felt like I KNEW her,’ the actress reminisced; seen here in February 2020
In conclusion, she wrote, ‘I loooooved being a part of this film This cast. This crew. So many “slammin” memories!’
Save the Last Dance is centered around a white midwestern girl named Sara (Stiles), who moves to Chicago to live with her dad after a family tragedy and meets Derek (Thomas) at school.
Lost in a world not her own, Sara befriends Derek’s sister Chenille (Washington), and as she pursues her dream of going to Juilliard as a ballet dancer, she finds herself falling for Derek.
Busting moves: Save the Last Dance is centered around a white midwestern girl named Sara (Stiles), who moves to Chicago to live with her dad after a family tragedy and meets Derek (Thomas) at school
Thomas, 50, also posted in the film’s honor on the occasion of its anniversary, sharing two black and white photos and an effusive caption of his own.
‘Save The Last Dance premiered 20 years ago and we shocked the world, including myself,’ he wrote. ‘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✊,’ Sean added. ‘Very proud today. We did good…#SaveTheLastDance.’
Giving thanks: Thomas, 50, also posted in the film’s honor on the occasion of its anniversary, sharing two black and white photos and an effusive caption of his own