Aca-believe it! Pitch Perfect hit theaters in 2012 and became an instant classic.
The film centers on the Barden Bellas a cappella team — who make music using only their mouths — and has proven its staying power. The franchise has since released two aca-awesome sequels.
In 2015, the musical group took on international competitors in hopes of keeping their group’s performance abilities intact. Three years later, The Bellas reunited as college graduates to sing in Europe as a part of the USO Tour and a spot on DJ Khaled’s label.
Characters have been added along the way, but the original Bellas — made up of Beca (Anna Kendrick), Aubrey (Anna Camp), Chloe (Brittany Snow), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and more — cemented their place in fans’ hearts early on.
There are also a few Barden Treblemakers — including Bumper (Adam DeVine), Jesse (Skylar Astin) and Benji (Ben Platt) — who made a lasting impression from their first appearance on screen.
The friendships between the actors have become stronger with each movie as well.
“It’s our favorite thing to do,” Snow told Us Weekly exclusively in October 2017. “We would do these movies forever, not only because we’re such a family, but also because we’ve now gotten into a routine and a system and we understand each other’s comedy.”
That family dynamic led to the stars being able to add in their own lines and actions in the third film. “Our director let us improve anything that we wanted to do,” the Florida native explained. “The majority of the movie is basically what we wanted to say and how we would say it, which in the other two was pretty much always being stuck to the script.”
Off screen the cast has remained close, attending each other’s weddings, bachelorette bashes, throwing holiday cookie decorating parties and more. Camp, Kelley Jakle and Pitch Perfect 2 addition Chrissie Fit were even bridesmaids in Snow’s March 2020 nuptials.
The ladies are also “Dixie Chicks serious” about their bond and WhatsApp group chat.
“Yeah, of course,” Kendrick told Us exclusively in November 2019. “It’ll go a while without a reason to talk but then sometimes people will have events that they’ll ask us to come [to]. Someone will be performing [and they’ll text], or sometimes it will just be, ‘Hey, what’s up,’ or a little gossip, or did you guys see this? It’s very cute.”
Scroll down to see what the original Bellas, and some of their rivals, have been up to since the musical franchise began.
The Maine native appeared in Cake and Into the Woods before reprising her role as Beca in Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3. Kendrick’s other film credits include, The Accountant, A Simple Favor, Noelle and voicing Poppy in the Trolls franchise. TV-wise, she acted and served as an executive producer on Dummy and Love Life. Kendrick was nominated for an Emmy for her role on Dummy in 2020 and went on to play Darby on HBO Max's Love Life.
Shutterstock (2)
The same year Astin portrayed Beca’s love interest and fellow a cappella singer, Jesse, he voiced Roy in Wrek-It Ralph and appeared in Love Written in Blood. He has since been seen in Pitch Perfect 2, Flock of Dudes and Ghost of War. His TV highlights include Ground Floor, Graves, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Trolls: The Beat Goes On!. In 2020, Astin began playing Max on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. The New York native married his Pitch Perfect costar Camp in 2016 and three years later they called it quits. He became Instagram official with model Lisa Stelly in July 2020.
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
In addition to starring in all three Pitch Perfect films, Snow starred in Would You Rather, Bushwick, Someone Great and Hooking Up. The Florida native had a recurring role on Ben and Kate and Full Circle before playing Julia Bechley on Almost Family. In 2019, Snow made her directorial debut with Milkshake, which starred her longtime friend and costar Camp. She then produced and starred in 2020's Hooking Up. The actress wed Tyler Stanaland in March 2020 in Southern California.
Shutterstock (2)
Camp’s Aubrey is a staple in all three of the musical films. In between filming the movies, the actress had a recurring role on The Mindy Project, True Blood, The Good Wife and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She was also one of the stars of the short-lived series Good Girls Revolt before playing Ginny on Perfect Harmony. The South Carolina native’s film hits include Milkshake, which was written and directed by Snow, The Wedding Year and Desperados. In 2019, Camp filed for divorce from Astin after three years of marriage. Nearly a year later, she became Instagram official with musician Michael Johnson in March 2020.
Shutterstock (2)
Wilson followed up her role as Fat Amy (a.k.a Fat Patricia) with a role on Super Fun Night and Les Norton. Film-wise, the Australia native starred in How to Be Single, Isn’t It Romantic, The Hustle, Jojo Rabbit and Cats. In 2020, she was the executive producer on LOL: Last One Laughing Australia. The same year, the actress began her “Year of Health,” in which she made it her mission to try and slim down to 75 kilograms, which equates to 165 pounds. Wilson returned to the big screen with Senior Year, which she both produced and starred in.
Shutterstock; Courtesy of Rebel Wilson/Instagram
The Pennsylvania native portrayed Stacie — the Bella who had a baby in the third movie — in the musical film franchise. Her other movie credits include Caveman, Urge and Phobias. Knapp also had a recurring role on Ground Floor. The upcoming film Rosary will mark Knapp’s first movie as a producer. Knapp is the mother of daughter Kai, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Ryan Phillippe.
Shutterstock (2)
Dean’s Cynthia Rose was the star’s first non-animated acting gig. She reprised the role in both sequels and has since popped up on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The Oklahoma native also voiced Legsly in Trolls World Tour alongside Kendrick. The composer’s career as a songwriter is her biggest claim to fame, having penned tunes for Rihanna, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj and more. In 2019, she took on the role of one of the three producer-hosts on Songland.
Shutterstock (2)
While Lee’s onscreen persona, Lilly, is quiet and often not heard, the actress’ real-life career has been big and loud. The California native played Roxy in Jem and the Holograms before shifting her focus to TV roles. She portrayed Numi on Patriot, Anna on Haunters: The Musical, Julie on Those Who Can’t and Scotty Sholes on Perpetual Grace, LTD. Lee is also a makeup artist (she often does her own glam), jewelry designer and comedian.
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock; MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Jakle’s role as Jessica — one of two Bellas who are often mixed up by the group — was her second acting credit. Since then, the California native has had guest starring roles on Roomies, Scorpion and Resident Advisors. She has also appeared in Christmas Harmony, Mistletoe & Menorahs and Black Hearted Killer. Jakle then played Marilyn Monroe in Marilyn! The New Musical at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. Jakle has released a few solo singles and is one half of the musical duo Robin Alice, alongside Jeff Hortillosa.
Picture Perfect/Shutterstock; Janet Gough/AFF-USA/MEGA
Regner’s portrayal of Ashley, who the Bellas always forget about, was her first acting gig. She later appeared on Youthful Daze, New Dogs, Old Tricks and was seen in What Happened Last Night, Adverse and Running With Fear. The Louisiana native has been a steady stage performer, playing Dottie in Rockwell L.A.’s A League of Their Own and appearing in Bronies: The Musical and Cruel Intentions: The Complete Unauthorized Musical. She was briefly a part of Disney Music Group’s a cappella group, DCappella, from 2018 to 2019. She’s been dating Nick Bredosky since 2016.
Shutterstock; Courtesy of Shelley Regner/Instagram
Walmsley played Bella hopeful Denise in the first film. She didn’t reprise the role in either sequel. The actress went on to star in a series of short films including, Dandelion (which she produced), Con and My Heart. Walmsley was also seen in Girls Trip and The Secret: Dare to Dream.
Brownstone Productions; Courtesy of Wanetah Walmsley/Instagram
Platt portrayed Jesse’s BFF and roommate, Benji, in both Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2. He was then seen in Ricki and the Flash, Run This Town and starred on The Politician as Payton Hobart, which he was also an executive producer on. Platt starred as Evan Hansen on Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen beginning with its 2014 inception and through 2016. He reprised the role, for which he won a Tony award, in the 2021 film adaptation. The Los Angeles native released his debut solo album in 2019 and was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 2020 for The Politician. He’s been dating his Evan Hansen replacement Noah Galvin since spring of 2020.
Shutterstock (2)
DeVine starred on Workaholics from 2011 to 2017, in between playing the Treblemakers’ leader Bumper in two Pitch Perfect films. He then voiced Pizza Steve on Uncle Grandpa and Boone on Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. The Iowa native had a recurring role on Modern Family as Andy and appeared on The Righteous Gemstones and Green Eggs and Ham. Film-wise, his acting credits include The Intern, When We First Met (where he was also a producer) and Isn’t It Romantic. DeVine proposed to actress Chloe Bridges in October 2019 after four years of dating. The pair tied the knot in October 2021.
Shutterstock (2)
Ambudkar played Bumper’s right-hand man in the Treblemakers, Donald, in the original film. After the role, he focused on TV, playing Rishi Lahiri on The Mindy Project and then starring on White Famous. He also appeared on Bartlett, Brockmire, Harvey Girls Forever! and Mira, Royal Detective. He reunited with DeVine in Game Over, Man! before acting in the live-action version of Mulan. The Maryland native has released two albums and two EPs. The comedian made his Broadway debut in 2019 with the show Freestyle Love Supreme, which also starred Lin-Manuel Miranda, which combined improv and rap on stage.
Brownstone Productions; Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Banks played collegiate a cappella commentator Gail in all three Pitch Perfect films, which she also produced. She also directed Pitch Perfect 2. The Massachusetts native has since appeared in the Hunger Games franchise, Walk of Shame, The Happytime Murders, Power Rangers and Charlie’s Angels. She also voiced Lucy/Wyldstyle in the Lego Movie films. Banks starred on Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Moonbeam City, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later and Mrs. America, in addition to having a recurring role on Modern Family. The actress, who owns Brownstone Productions with her husband Max Handelman, has produced Shrill, The Most Hated Woman in America, Resident Advisors and Charlie’s Angels — which she also wrote and directed. Banks married Handelman in 2003 and they share two children, Felix and Magnus.
Brownstone Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock; Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock
Higgins starred as Gail’s partner in crime and fellow a cappella commentator John in all three films. He then appeared in Breaking the Bank, Mascots, Almost Christmas and Status Update. The Boston native also starred on Happily Divorced, Great News, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Saved by the Bell (as Principal Ronald Toddman), Bob’s Burgers and Big Hero: The Series. Higgins hosted America Says for three seasons and competed on 25 Words or Less on and off for two seasons. The Fred Claus actor married actress Margaret Welsh in 2003. The couple share two children, son Walter and daughter Maisie.
Brownstone Prods/Kobal/Shutterstock; Ryan Miller/Shutterstock
0 Comments