10 Things You Didn’t Know About Save The Last Dance

It’s hard to believe that teen drama, Save The Last Dance, is 15 years old! Where did those years go? While we’re sure you’ve been swooning over the Julia Stiles dance flick since its release in January 2001, there are a lot of things you may not know about the movie that tugged on our heartstrings and had us on our feet for the past 15 years.

Julia Stiles was the only cast member with professional dance training in ballet and tap.

The movie’s choreographer, Fatima Robinson, also worked with the Backstreet Boys and in Sara’s second Julliard audition, the moves she does with the chair are the same as in BSB’s “As Long As You Love Me” video.

Sean Patrick Thomas was 31 when the movie was filmed.

The movie was Kerry Washington’s first big studio film.

Julia Stiles didn’t want a dance double during her hip-hop dance scenes.

Julia’s table-dancing stint in 10 Things I Hate About You ultimately landed her the role in Save The Last Dance.

The movie generated over $131.7 million at the box office worldwide.

Rapper Nas was offered a role in the movie but refused it.

Derek and Sara’s first dance practice in the school cafeteria was completely improvised.

In an early draft of the script, Sara was supposed to go live with her father in Baltimore after her mother’s death. By the time the film was shot, locations changed to Lemont, IL and Chicago.