Rachael Leigh Cook’s ‘He’s All That’ role proves she’s barely aged since 1999

Rachael Leigh Cook’s ‘He’s All That’ role proves she’s barely aged since 1999

100 per cent a hot girl before and after that iconic makeover scene.
August 27, 2021 2:23 p.m.
Miramax Miramax

It’s no wonder that movie studios continue to mine past great works of art for possible new spins — and yes, to 90s kids, She’s All That is both a work of art and itself a spin-off of an earlier idea (see: Pygmalion and My Fair Lady). The gem of a film starred Rachael Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinze Jr. and Cook also has a role in the story’s most current incarnation, He’s All That starring Addison Rae.

But despite keen fan admiration for the 1999 flick, Cook really had no idea how much her performance was beloved by teen viewers — and how memorable her makeover scene would become.

"I definitely thought that the movie had a ton of charm as a whole," Cook told People. "It sounds corny to say, but I just felt happy to be in it. I certainly didn't feel like I was in a class with all of the great beauties of that time, or of that [movie] makeover tradition."

In her regular life off-screen, the actor definitely didn’t feel like a trendsetter or beauty icon. "Truthfully, I was definitely a teen of the '90s, but I didn't especially love '90s fashion," she explained. "I had a really hard time finding clothes for events back then because I just plain didn't like anything. So I ended up in some pretty bizarre outfits just trying to do my best."

What she does seem to excel at is skincare. She recommends products with retinol, vitamin C, and the ever-important SPF. "I promise not to be one of those actresses who just gets on some soapbox and tells you to drink water. We've heard enough of that, and nobody believes you,” she joked. "Being over 40, you should make friends with retinol. I definitely feel my age, but if I can not look it all the way, I'm a happy camper.”

We, too, are happy campers upon finding out that She’s All That’s Matthew Lillard will also return for the reboot (hopefully with that stunning head-to-toe silver lewk and his dance moves still intact — it’s been too long since we’ve seen someone do the worm at a house party).

And while good/bad break dancing may or may not have its moment in He’s All That, good/bad (heavily auto-tuned) karaoke most definitely does.

Whatever Rae might lack in vocal abilities, she makes up for in fashion sense. "Addison looks incredible in the movie. She has great style,” Cook reports of her movie daughter. “That generation has a lot that they could teach me, for sure."

He’s All That debuts today on Netflix.

BEFORE YOU GO: Kanye West’s 'Donda' concert will offer COVID vaccines

Play

Latest Episodes From Etalk


You might also like