This ‘Pretty in Pink’ Star Almost Took Julia Roberts’ Most Iconic Role
Earning the position of “Vivian Ward” in pretty woman was the chance of a lifetime for Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts. The movie solidified her standing as “America’s Sweetheart” in the early ’90s, and in addition helped her get hold of each a Best Actress Golden Globe award and her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
Still, Roberts has the success of fairly girl to thank, together with a fellow family identify as equally acquainted with enjoying quintessential Hollywood characters—’80s Brat Pack icon Molly Ringwald.
During a Reddit AMA in 2012, the Pretty in Pink actress revealed that though she was up for the a part of Vivian, it in the end wasn’t hers to take. “I think I saw an early draft, and it was called $3000. I don’t specifically remember turning it down,” Ringwald admitted. “The script was okay, but I gotta say, Julia Roberts is what makes the movie. It was her part. Every actor hopes for a part that lets them shine like that. Roberts made the part of Vivian, a sex worker, her own, opposite Richard Gere, who was known as wealthy corporate raider Edward Lewis in pretty woman“
Many years later, Ringwald additional defined what turned her off from starring in the Garry Marshall rom-com. She admitted to Guardian in 2023, “Julia Roberts was wonderful in it, but I didn’t really like the story. Even then, I felt like there was something icky about it.” In the identical article, the When It Happens to You writer went into element concerning the heavy weight of being a teen idol whereas having an inescapable girl-next-door picture. “I wanted to get out from below all that scrutiny. I simply wasn’t lower out for it in a approach that sure different persons are. Some persons are actually good at it. Taylor Swift it is superb! But I did not really feel comfy with that stage of stardom,” she acknowledged.
Molly Ringwald at Family Equality’s Night; Photo by Adela Loconte/Variety by way of Getty Images
“I didn’t really feel like darker roles were available to me. The ones that I wanted to do, I didn’t get. I was too young for certain roles. I was at this weird in-between stage.” Ringwald was turned down for the lead in the 1988 romantic dramedy Working Girl and for the lead feminine position in the 1991 psychological horror thriller The Silence of the Lambs. Jodie Foster famously landed the half in the latter as “Clarice Starling.”
Molly Ringwald and Julia Roberts have continued to carve their very own profitable paths in Hollywood because the launch of fairly girl. In current years, Ringwald has captivated audiences in TV exhibits together with Riverdale, Feudand Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. And Roberts has stored her followers engaged with dazzling roles in movies corresponding to After the Hunt, Leave the World Behind, Ticket to Paradiseand marvel.
As for pretty womanthe film hit its thirty fifth anniversary in 2025.
This story was initially revealed by Parade on May 8, 2026, the place it first appeared in the News part. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.