These 20 Kinks Are What Made The Movie ‘Honey’ So Bad It Was Good
In 2003, American cinema was forever changed with the premiere of a movie that transformed the perception of films revolving around the ancient art of dance. That film was “Honey.” Starring Jessica Alba, the film revolved around an aspiring, ethnically ambiguous young dancer in New York named Honey Daniels. Honey wanted to be a dancer and choreographer for the biggest stars in hip-hop and R&B. But she had some obstacles along the way. In between teaching hip-hop at the “cennah” and meeting a cute barber played by Mekhi Pfifer, she remained true to herself.
Here are 20 more things about the greatest movie ever made.
1. The role of Honey wasn’t meant for Jessica Alba.
The starring role of Honey was actually given to R&B icon Aaliyah, and was written with her in mind to play the titular role. She had accepted the role and was set to shoot. Then she tragically died before filming was set to begin. Producers and writers had to retool the movie a bit and find a new lead. Enter Jessica Alba.
2. Romeo had a growth spurt.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramRomeo, aka Lil Romeo and Romeo Miller aka the son of Master P, played Benny, a kid who was heading into a life of crime. During filming, puberty hit Romeo hard. He grew two inches and his voice deepened. In a scene where Benny and his little brother Raymond go to one of Honey’s dance classes, Romeo had to stand with his legs far apart so he looked shorter. He had grown so much he was as tall as Jessica Alba.
3. Honey has a dog.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramWhile Honey’s dog doesn’t play a pivotal role in the film, and one has to ask themselves who the hell is walking the poor pupper while Honey was off dancing her heart out, the casting director didn’t have to worry about going through hundreds of dog auditions until they found the right dog. Alba’s dog Sid stepped in to fill the role.
4. Getting dance ready.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramIn order to prepare for the role, Alba took six hours of dance classes every day for three months. She worked hard on ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, training to make sure she clapped on the right beat. And it worked! Sort of. Like she was able to handle some of the dancing, but there were some doubles. Listen, it’s hard clapping on beat for some people.
5. Praise Laurieann.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramThe movie is loosely based on the life of famed choreographer Laurieann Gibson, who you may remember as the very intense instructor in MTV’s “Making The Band.” She was also a Fly Girl back in the day. Anyway, Laurieann also appears in “Honey” as a rival choreographer, bringing her trademark intense energy to the screen. While she played Katrina in the original “Honey,” her name was changed to Rebecca for the sequel. It makes no sense.
6. While the movie is set in New York, it was actually filmed in Toronto.
suzzysfine / InstagramShout out to the city of Toronto for stepping in for NYC, bringing its gritty big city vibes to the screen when New York couldn’t do it.
7. The movie’s director has some iconic credits.
jessicaalbafanclub / Instagram“Honey” was directed by Billie Woodruff, who made a name for himself directing major music videos for some of the biggest stars in music. That insane all-white video for Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart”? You can thank Billie for that. Her sultry AF video for “You’re Making Me High”? Yeah he did that. Dru Hill’s “In My Bed”? Yup. Fat Joe and Ashanti’s “What’s Luv”? I think you get where I’m going here. “Honey” was his big screen debut and he brought that same music video energy to the film.
8. Don’t go to this movie for A+ continuity.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramSometimes the continuity in this movie isn’t the best. When Honey is at a benefit event she hosted, she is initially wearing a denim mini. But then, when she stands up on the stage, she seems to have changed into jeans. Also, at the same event, when she’s setting up the background sign seems to have changed. It doesn’t ruin the movie but it’s pretty silly.
9. Jessica Alba’s New York accent.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramIt’s….not good. In fact, it’s pretty cringe. The prime example of this is her pronunciation of the word “center.” As she repeatedly mentions to folks she meets along her journey, she teaches hip-hop at the cennah. The cennah. She also has a tough time saying her best friend Gin’as name. Gayna. It’s clear that urban flavor doesn’t come naturally to Alba. She tries though. You gotta give her that.
10. The cameos!
lelu.ana / InstagramSince the movie revolves around the hip-hop world in New York City, Honey meets some pretty big stars and has some major opportunities come up with major artists. She ends up working with the likes of Jadakiss, Tweet, Ginuwine, and even garners the attention of Missy Elliot. She’s that good!
11. Jessica Alba is supposed to be black.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramSince the film is based on the life of Lauriann Gibson, who is black, and was set to star Aaliyah, who was also black, the character was written with a black woman in mind. When Jessica Alba filled in, filmmakers never addressed her ethnicity or race in the film. Instead, they said the character is “part-black.” It was clunky at best, and offensive to Afro-Latinos and non-Latino black people. Especially as we see Alba struggle with the character’s portrayal.
12. The reviews were not great.
kimberleemoon_ / InstagramWhen “Honey” hit theaters, the reviews were pretty critical. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 21% score based on the reviews of 115 film critics. Metacritic gave it a 37 out of 100. Even so it opened at #2 at the box office and has grossed $62.2 million worldwide. That’s enough to open up hundreds of cennahs where Honey can teach hip-hop.
13. The movie has been referenced elsewhere.
streetvisionco / InstagramDespite the bad reviews, “Honey” still had a cultural impact. In “Degrassi: The Next Generation” the character Manny mentions that it’s his favorite movie. And in the sitcom “Parks and Recreation” Leslie Knope mentions Honey in a press conference. And in my conversations, Honey is referenced at least three times out of 10.
14. Jessica Alba’s inspiration.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramDuring the filming of the movie, Alba wanted to get in the mind frame to help her connect with her character. She listened to lots of Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige and looked to some of her favorite dance films, including “Fame,” “Flash Dance,” and “Dirty Dancing.”
15. Honey choreographed “Honey.”
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramAll the choreography done in the movie, which was extensive, wasn’t done by Honey Daniels as performed by Jessica Alba. But it was put together by Laurieann Gibson who inspired the character Honey Daniels. In all the scenes where Honey is choreographing for music videos, it was all Laurieann. Put some respect on her.
16. A bit of Dutch courage.
thelaunchmag / InstagramDuring the sections of the movie where Jessica has to perform some impressive dance, Alba got understandably nervous. So the director did what most of our best friends do when we’re feeling nervous. He poured her a drink. Woodruff specifically gave Alba some Hennessy to calm her nerves and get her movin’.
17. Jessica Alba was just 22 during the filming.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramAnd Mekhi Phifer was only 29. Why did I think they were so grown up when I watched? Jessica wasn’t that much older than me!
18. Jessica’s brother celebrated in an embarrassing way.
jessicaalbafanclub / InstagramApparently, at the wrap party, Jessica brought her brother with her to celebrate. The poor guy got a little too drunk and decided to approach Diddy to show him, love. In doing so he also rapped all the lyrics to one of his songs right to his face. That story has to be legendary amongst the members of the Alba family. I’m embarrassed just reading it, but also think it’s adorable.
19. She helped Lil Romeo on set.
streetvisionco / InstagramWhile on set, Jessica helped Lil Romeo learn his lines. They’d work on them together, which was a big help for Romeo since it was hid first big movie.
20. There has been two “Honey” movies since the original.
thesuavelumberjack / InstagramIn the second one, the main character lives with Honey’s mom. In the third, the main character was a student of Honey’s. They each find strength and growth through the power of dance, as one can expect.
While “Honey” is not an Oscar-worthy film, it’s one of those guilty pleasures no one should feel guilty about loving. It’s a good time and has the perfect amount of cheesiness that make it a classic.
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