Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne reflect on making the LGBTQ+ classic But I’m A Cheerleader
Melanie Lynskey and Natasha Lyonne have opened up about starring in the LGBTQ+ comedy, But I’m a Cheerleader. Released in 1999, the teen rom-com starred Orange is the New Black alum Lyonne as Megan Bloomfield, a cheerleader who is sent to conversion therapy camp to “cure” her lesbianism.
Lynskey memorably played queer camper Hilary Vandermueller in one of her earliest film roles. While But I’m a Cheerleader earned low box office numbers and received harsh reviews from critics, LGBTQ+ movie enthusiasts have since lauded the film for its satirical approach to gender roles and heteronormativity.
During a recent Actors on Actors interview for Variety, Lyonne and Lynskey opened up about their time making the movie and how it’s morphed into an LGBTQ+ cult classic. “At the time, nobody liked it, and now everybody likes it.
I do feel like the movie was very ahead of its time,” the Yellowjackets star said. When asked if she had any reservations about signing on to the film, Lyonne said she wasn’t hesitant “at all.” “I’m consistently shocked by the things we consider shocking.
