20 years ago, a small-town girl who made it big in the city, went back home to finalise her divorce from her childhood sweetheart... and gave us one of the greatest rom-coms ever.

Sweet Home Alabamawas released in September 2002. On its opening weekend, the film earned $35 million (in US dollars). During its theatre run in the States, it made over $130 million, then in its worldwide box office release, another $53 million. It had a budget of just $30 million.

In short, the film was a box office hit.

Watch the trailer for the 2002 film Sweet Home Alabama. Story continues after video.

"When I read the script I was like, 'Do these people know my life story?'" Witherspoon recalled during a press conference in 2018. "Because no matter how much you love where you're from, when you get a little bit older, you get nostalgic for it. When I was 18, I was like, 'I am out of here! I am never coming back!'"

This week, Witherspoon made an Instagram post to celebrate the 20 year anniversary ofSweet Home Alabama,writing: "20 years agoSweet Home Alabamacame out and completely changed my life."

She continued, "Incredible memories of shooting this movie with these amazing actors - Josh, Patrick, Dakota, Melanie, Jean, Ethan, Mary Kay, Fred, and Candace, of course! So many great scenes and my favorite line... 'So I can kiss you anytime I want.' Do you remember seeing it for the first time?"

Here's where the cast ofSweet Home Alabama, 20 years on.

Where is Reese Witherspoon now?

When Witherspoon starred as Melanie Carmichael, her career was already well established thanks to her leading roles inElection, Cruel IntentionsandLegally Blonde.

In 2022, she's among one of the world's highest paid entertainers and Witherspoon's career has gone well beyond acting.

At the time of filmingSweet Home Alabama,she was married to herCruel Intentionsco-star, Ryan Phillippe. Witherspoon has since gone on to marry agent Jim Toth in 2011.

She won an Oscar for her performance as June Carter Cash in 2005'sWalk the Lineand was nominated in 2015 forWild.

The actor also pivoted to TV when she starred and produced inBig Little Lies, The Morning ShowandLittle Fires Everywhere.

Her former media company, Hello Sunshine also became an industry phenomenon with the power to push authors to the top of the bestseller lists. It was reported she sold the company for US $900 million in August 2021.

Reportedly, Witherspoon is set to reprise her role as Elle Woods in another sequel toLegally Blonde.

The actor has also admitted she's open to filming a sequel toSweet Home Alabama.

"We are not making a sequel that I know of, but if Disney wants to make a sequel, they can just call me. I would happily makeSweet Home Alabama 2," Witherspoon said in 2016.

Where is Josh Lucas now?

While Josh Lucas was nothing short of a heartthrob in the early 2000s, he didn't stick to making romantic comedy films. The actor went on to appear inWonderland,Glory Road,The Lincoln LawyerandFord v. Ferrari.

Lucas was married to writer Jessica Ciencin Henriquez from 2012 until they called it quits in 2014. They share one son together.

Since early 2021, the actor has been dating model Rachel Mortenson.

More recently, he has starred as the younger version of John Dutton in the cult-favourite series,Yellowstoneand in May it was revealed Lucas is set to star alongside Scoot McNairy and Kit Harington in the action thrillerBlood For Lust.

Where is Patrick Dempsey now?

Patrick Dempsey first came on the scene in the 1980s before landing the role of a lifetime in 2005 as Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd onGreys Anatomy.He didn't finish up with the role until 2015 but will reprise his character of Robert Philip in the upcomingEnchantedsequel which will be called...Disenchanted. This year, the second season of his thriller set in the world of finance,Devilsaired.

In 2018, he also played in the drama miniseries,The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.

Dempsey has been married to makeup artist Jillian Dempsey since 1999. They share one daughter and twin sons.

Where is Ethan Embry now?

Embry was the best friend of Melanie inSweet Home Alabamaand has since gone on to have a successful acting career.

He is recognised for his role as Mark inEmpire Records, Preston inCan't Hardly Wait,and has had a recurring role as Coyote Bergstein on theNetflixseries Grace and Frankie.

Embry has also had stints onGrey's Anatomy, Drop Dead Diva, Once Upon a TimeandThe Walking Dead.

He shares one child with his ex-wife Amelinda Smith, who he divorced in 2002.

In 2005, Embry married actress Sunny Mabrey. They divorced in 2012 but later reconciled and remarried in 2015.

Listen to The Spill, Mamamia's daily entertainment podcast. Story continues after audio.

Where is Candice Bergen now?

Bergen starred as the disapproving mother of her son's beloved fiance. While she has undoubtedly had a career in the lights, some of her more well-known appearances includeSex and the City, Boston LegalandHouse, and films includingBride Wars, The Meyerowitz Stories, Home AgainandBook Club.

In 2020, she starred in the comedy-drama filmLet Them All Talkand her latest filmAs They Made Uswas released in 2022.

Bergen was married to filmmaker Louis Malle from 1980 until his death in 1995. They share one daughter together.

Since 2000, Bergen has been married to real estate developer Marshall Rose.

Where is Jean Smart now?

Jean Smart has been on the scene for almost four decades now and in her time, has won five Emmys.

In 2002, she starred as the mother of Jake, Stella Kay. SinceSweet Home Alabama, the acclaimed actor has played Laurie Blake inWatchmen, and in 2021, also starred inMare of Easttown.

In 2021 and 2022,she won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for her showHacks.

Smart was married to actor Richard Gilliland from 1987 until his death in 2021.

"Acting is what I love to do, and people keep offering me jobs, so it seems like it would be silly to say no," she told W Magazine earlier this year. "I try to be choosy about what I do, and I know how incredibly fortunate I am to be able to be choosy; that is not a given for most actors.

"It’s been a really satisfying, fun, interesting way to make a living - and hopefully it hasn’t damaged my children too much."

Feature Image: Touchstone Pictures / Mamamia.

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