It’s been 25 years since But I’m a Cheerleader first exploded onto the indie film scene in a riot of bubblegum pink, camp aesthetics, and surprisingly raw emotional depth. To celebrate the anniversary of the trailblazing LGBTQ+ cult classic, star Clea DuVall is taking a moment to reflect on the film’s legacy – and how its impact still resonates with fans today. “It was very ahead of its time,” DuVall, now 47, told PEOPLE in a new interview. “There were not a lot of queer-centered stories at the time.”
Directed by Jamie Babbit and written by Babbit and Brian Wayne Peterson, But I’m a Cheerleader follows high school cheerleader Megan (Natasha Lyonne), who is sent to a conversion therapy camp called True Directions after her conservative family suspects she’s a lesbian. There, she meets and eventually falls in love with the rebellious, leather-jacket-wearing Graham, played by DuVall.
The film satirized conversion therapy while spotlighting the absurdity of gender roles and societal expectations, all under the pastel-saturated lens of ‘90s camp. The movie also featured a now-iconic cast including RuPaul (as a faux-masculine counselor), Melanie Lynskey, Michelle Williams, Mink Stole, Cathy Moriarty, and Julie Delpy.
At the time of its release in 1999, queer rom-coms were almost non-existent, let alone ones that dared to tackle issues like forced conversion therapy while still finding space for joy, romance, and queer self-discovery. And while it received mixed reviews from critics back then, But I’m a Cheerleader has grown into a beloved LGBTQ+ touchstone, celebrated for its fearless storytelling and unapologetic queer lens. “It was approaching such serious, real issues that we were dealing with then – and, in some ways, still now,” DuVall said. “It definitely was the most rewarding thing I had ever done.”
And for many viewers, it meant even more. In the decades since its release, DuVall says fans have often approached her to share deeply personal stories. “People have said it gave them the courage to come out, and it made them feel comfortable, and it made them feel seen,” she shared. “That is so powerful, and it’s not true for everything you have the privilege of doing as an actor.”
Those emotional connections reflect why But I’m a Cheerleader has endured as a cultural landmark. It’s a movie that doesn’t just entertain – it affirms.
Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Friendship and Chemistry
Beyond the film’s social commentary, it was the on-screen chemistry between DuVall and Lyonne that added emotional weight to the film’s whimsical visuals. According to DuVall, that connection started off-screen.
The two were already friends before filming began, and in a twist of fate, Lyonne only ended up starring in the movie because she saw a draft of the script in DuVall’s car.
“She asked to read it, and then she wanted to audition,” DuVall recalled. The rest, of course, is queer cinema history. “There were a lot of fun memories – some things that I cannot share with PEOPLE magazine,” she joked, before turning serious. “But then I think of Natasha. She’s very special to me, and she’s such a special performer.”
DuVall described one particular scene – a quiet moment where Megan and Graham are washing dishes together – as one of her most cherished from set. “I remember just feeling maybe the most grounded and the most present I had ever felt in a scene before, in that moment with her.” “Those kinds of moments are the gold as an actor,” she added. “What I’m always striving for is just being able to exist in the scene… When you can just be present with someone, it’s really, really special.”
Legacy and Reunion
Since their unforgettable roles in But I’m a Cheerleader, DuVall and Lyonne have continued to collaborate. The pair reunited in 2016 for The Intervention, a comedy-drama written and directed by DuVall, which also featured Melanie Lynskey. More recently, DuVall played Lyonne’s sister in an episode of Poker Face, Lyonne’s hit mystery-comedy series on Peacock.
Their creative partnership – and deep friendship – continues to evolve, rooted in the chemistry that helped But I’m a Cheerleader become such a lasting part of queer pop culture.
A Cult Classic That Changed Lives
With But I’m a Cheerleader celebrating its silver anniversary on July 7, it’s not just fans who are reflecting on how much the movie meant – it’s the cast, too. The film’s mix of colorful satire and emotional sincerity helped change the way LGBTQ+ stories were told on screen, paving the way for the kinds of queer narratives we now see on platforms from Netflix to the big screen.
The film has also received renewed attention in recent years, especially as conversion therapy remains a real threat in many parts of the world. Its message – delivered with humor, heart, and a defiant queer spirit – remains painfully relevant.
DuVall hopes that the film continues to empower young people discovering it for the first time. “As an actor, you don’t always get to be part of something that makes people feel seen,” she said. “But this one did – and still does.”
