Why Alicia Silverstone Didnt Want To Star In Clueless

Why Alicia Silverstone Didn’t Want To Star In Clueless

Alicia Silvertone received her breakthrough role with Clueless, but she has been outspoken about not originally wanting to play the role of Cher.

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Why Alicia Silverstone Didnt Want To Star In Clueless

Alicia Silverstone’s defining film is Clueless, but the actress didn’t originally want to star in the 1995 teen comedy. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling, Clueless satirizes the materialistic lifestyles of privileged high school students. The movie was well-received by critics and has since gained a cult following, with Alicia Silverstone’s protagonist Cher becoming a pop culture icon for her style and wit.

Clueless is a loose retelling of Jane Austin’s novel Emma, transporting the story to 1990s Beverly Hills. Silverstone plays Cher Horowitz, a rich and popular high schooler who befriends new student Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy) and gives her a makeover to boost her social standing. While playing matchmaker for friends and teachers, the initially shallow and materialistic Cher begins to re-evaluate her priorities and relationships.

Cher could have simply come across as spoiled and inauthentic, but Silverstone imbued her with so much charm and sincerity she became a beloved character. This makes it surprising to learn that Alicia Silverstone didn’t want to star in Clueless, telling Vogue in 2020 that she didn’t like Cher – which Sarah Michelle Gellar turned down – finding her “everything I sort of loathed.” Having grown up around unsavory, materialistic people when she was younger, she definitely didn’t want to play one on screen. However, once she realized her judgment was getting in the way of understanding Clueless’ Cher and her journey through the story, Alicia Silverstone grew to admire the character’s compassion and hidden depths.

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It’s understandable that Silverstone initially considered Cher “unpleasant,” as it greatly conflicted with the way she was raised. The actor revealed her mother was very practical and anti-extravagance, disdaining materialism and the forms of behavior associated with that lifestyle. Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed star Silverstone agreed with her mother’s views, recognizing these unappealing qualities in many privileged people she knew growing up. She stated, “I can think of some specific girls in my life who were really mean and materialistic.” It makes sense she would be wary about being linked to a character who, on the surface, appeared to represent the opposite of everything she believed in. What changed Alicia Silverstone’s mind about plays Cher in Clueless was her ability to connect with the character’s love for friends and family. Per Silverstone, “I realized that was just me judging her, and once I started working on her I found all the heart.”

Once she fully understood Cher, Alicia Silverstone could distance the character from her own negative experiences and join Clueless, the best adaptation of Emma. This was clearly of great importance to her, as Silverstone stated as far back as the movie’s 1995 release why she didn’t want the role. She told The Los Angeles Times she avoided working on the character for months until she was able to identify with Cher’s good qualities. Once Silverstone came around, she stated, “She was just loveable. Not that I know any girls like that. Most of those girls are not very happy.” In the same interview, she also revealed another fear about starring in Clueless was that she didn’t find herself funny. However, Cher’s sincerity meant Silverstone grew comfortable in playing the role straight. She even provided one of Clueless’ funniest lines by accident. The actor also loved how Clueless’ social commentary and pop culture jokes aren’t downplayed for its teenage audience, but rather treats them with intelligence.

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Indeed, Cher incorporating Monet and Dickens into her musings on adolescent life demonstrates disarming wisdom that makes her incredibly endearing. It’s refreshing when actors talk candidly about their challenges portraying a character, especially when it’s regarding their most famous role. There’s always the danger of a film’s message not resonating, but Alicia Silverstone’s ability to convey Cher’s good-natured innocence made her perfect for Clueless.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/clueless-alicia-silverstone-star-didnt-want-role/

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