She was also still married to her “Cruel Intentions” co-star, Ryan Phillippe. While the two got married young, she eventually fled town after she had a miscarriage and reinvented herself as Melanie Carmichael, a successful fashion designer and prim and proper Southern belle.Īt the time of the film, Witherspoon was already a star and rom-com queen with her appearances in “Election,” “Cruel Intentions,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Fear” behind her. Melanie (or Felony Melanie, as she’s known in Pigeon Creek) grew up a wild child in her small Alabama town, egged on by her childhood bestie and sweetheart, Jake Perry.

Witherspoon in ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ Buena Vista Pictures Reese Witherspoon played teenage-rebel-turned-fashion designer Melanie Carmichael (née Smooter).

Keep scrolling to see what the cast of “Sweet Home Alabama” is up to now, 18 years after it premiered in 2002. Ideas for a sequel have been floating around for years, with both Josh Lucas and Reese Witherspoon and director Andy Tennant stating they’d be on board. It’s genuinely hard for viewers and Melanie alike to choose which guy she wants to be with â€” that is, if either will have her. “Sweet Home Alabama” is notably among the rom-com canon for having two actually viable love interests (see also: “The Notebook”).

Cast of sweet home alabama movie