LOS ANGELES — Actress Tatyana Ali is looking back fondly on her time filming the 1999 cult classic Jawbreaker — and giving credit to co-star Rose McGowan for standing up for her during a tough moment on set.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared Saturday, Ali reflected on her experience filming the dark high school comedy and revealed she was bullied by one of her castmates.
“I was the only one actually in high school when we shot this, and I dealt with a little bullying on set from one actress in particular,” Ali wrote. “But one day, she tried it in front of everybody… and [Rose McGowan] told her to [shut the f— up] in front of everyone! I will always love her for that.”
McGowan responded in the comments, saying, “I’d do it again,” and praised Ali for her “dignity, brains and beauty.”
Directed by Darren Stein, Jawbreaker starred McGowan, Ali, Rebecca Gayheart, Julie Benz, and Charlotte Ayanna. The film follows a group of teenage girls who accidentally kill their friend during a birthday prank and then attempt to cover it up. It was released in 1999 and earned $3.1 million at the U.S. box office.
Ali is best known for her role as Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and has recently appeared in Abbott Elementary and Bel-Air. McGowan’s credits include Scream, Charmed, Grindhouse, and The Doom Generation.
Ali’s tribute highlights the lasting bonds formed on set — and the impact of speaking up in the face of mistreatment.
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