It was 1997. If you walked into a theater to see BAPS, you were probably expecting a standard fish-out-of-water comedy. What you got instead was a neon-orange, hair-sculpted, gold-toothed fever dream that redefined "camp" for a whole generation. Most critics at the time—mostly older, mostly white—absolutely hated it. Roger Ebert famously gave it zero stars. But for those of us who grew up watching Nisi and Mickey navigate the hills of Westchester, the BAPS cast wasn’t just a group of actors; they were icons of Black joy and over-the-top ambition.
Looking back, the movie feels like a time capsule of late-90s excess and heart. It’s been decades since we first saw those platform sneakers and gravity-defying updos. People still scour the internet for updates on the BAPS cast, wondering if the chemistry was real or where the supporting players ended up after the "Black American Princesses" took their final bow.
The Powerhouse Duo: Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle Reid
The movie lives and dies on the shoulders of Nisi and Mickey. Halle Berry was already a rising star, but this role was a massive swing. She’d done Jungle Fever and The Flintstones, yet here she was, wearing a blonde beehive and gold teeth. Honestly, it’s one of her most underrated comedic performances. She leaned into the physicality of Nisi with zero ego. She wasn't trying to be the "Bond Girl" version of herself yet; she was just a girl from Decatur with a dream of opening a hair salon/soul food restaurant.
Then there’s the late, great Natalie Desselle Reid. She was the heart of the BAPS cast. Without Mickey, the movie falls apart. Natalie brought a grounded, ride-or-die energy to Mickey that made the friendship feel authentic. When Natalie passed away in 2020 due to colon cancer, the outpouring of grief from the industry—especially from Halle Berry herself—proved how deep those bonds went during filming. Halle posted a devastating tribute, noting that Natalie was "a bright light" who taught her so much about being present.
Why the Chemistry Worked
You can’t fake that kind of friendship. On set, the two were reportedly inseparable. Director Robert Townsend encouraged a lot of improvisation, which is why the dialogue feels so snappy and natural even when the situations are absurd. They weren't just playing caricatures; they were playing two women who genuinely loved each other.
Martin Landau and the Unexpected Heart
Let’s talk about the late Martin Landau. Why was an Oscar winner—the man from Ed Wood and North by Northwest—in a movie about two girls from Georgia with gold teeth? It sounds like a recipe for disaster. But Landau played Mr. Blakemore with such tender, fragile dignity that he elevated the entire film. He wasn't the "straight man" in a boring way; he was a man rediscovering life through the sheer, unadulterated loudness of Nisi and Mickey.
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The BAPS cast benefited immensely from his presence. He treated the material with respect. He didn’t wink at the camera like he was "above" the movie. His character’s relationship with Nisi is genuinely moving, bridging a gap between old-world wealth and New-world hustle.
The Supporting Players: Where Are They Now?
Beyond the leads, the BAPS cast featured some incredible character actors who kept the plot moving.
Ian Richardson as Manley
The quintessential butler. Richardson was a titan of the British stage and screen (the original House of Cards!). His deadpan reactions to the girls' "ghetto fabulous" lifestyle provided half the laughs in the first hour. He passed away in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of high-brow drama, but many of us will always remember him for that perfectly arched eyebrow while serving breakfast.
Troy Byer as Tracy
Troy wasn't just an actress in the movie; she’s a powerhouse behind the scenes. She actually wrote the screenplay for BAPS. After the film, she shifted her focus more toward directing and writing, though she still pops up in the industry. She’s since become a doctor of psychology and an author, focusing on healing and empowerment.
Bernie Mac and LL Cool J
Wait, remember those cameos? Bernie Mac brought that signature "Mac Man" energy as Vinnie, and LL Cool J showed up as Bobby. These weren't huge roles, but they solidified the film’s place in the 90s Black cinema canon. Bernie, of course, went on to become one of the Kings of Comedy before his passing in 2008.
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The Production Magic Behind the Cast
You can't discuss the BAPS cast without mentioning the people who made them look like BAPS. Robert Townsend, the director, was coming off the success of The Five Heartbeats and Hollywood Shuffle. He knew how to satirize stereotypes while still giving the characters souls.
- Ruth E. Carter: The costume designer. She’s now a multi-Oscar winner for Black Panther, but BAPS was where she went wild with color theory and silhouette.
- The Hair Stylists: They were the unsung members of the crew. Those wigs were structural engineering marvels. They had to be light enough for the actors to move but sturdy enough to hold those shapes under hot studio lights.
Misconceptions About the Movie’s Reception
A lot of people think BAPS was a total flop that everyone hated. That’s not quite right. While it didn't set the box office on fire—making about $15 million on a $10 million budget—it became a massive hit on home video and cable. It found its audience in the living rooms of people who saw themselves in the ambition of the characters.
Critics called it "crude" or "stereotypical." But they missed the point. BAPS was a satire of the American Dream. It argued that you don't have to change your hair, your accent, or your teeth to be worthy of love and an inheritance. The BAPS cast portrayed characters who remained unapologetically themselves even in the face of extreme wealth.
The Legacy of the Gold Teeth
In the late 90s, "grills" weren't mainstream in the way they are now. When Halle Berry put those in, it was a statement. It was a visual marker of a specific culture that the "elite" looked down upon. Today, we see those same aesthetic choices on high-fashion runways. The BAPS cast was ahead of its time in terms of cultural influence, even if the "establishment" wasn't ready to admit it.
Lessons from the BAPS Journey
The story of the BAPS cast is one of resilience and overlooked talent. Many of the actors involved didn't get the immediate "prestige" boost that usually comes with a hit movie, because the film was pigeonholed as a "niche" comedy.
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However, looking at the trajectory of people like Ruth E. Carter or Halle Berry, it’s clear that the creative energy on that set was high-level. They were world-building. They created a visual language that is still referenced in music videos (looking at you, Rihanna and Megan Thee Stallion) and fashion editorials today.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this film or support the legacy of the BAPS cast, here is what you can actually do:
- Seek out the Physical Media: The Blu-ray releases often contain commentary tracks from Robert Townsend that explain the "why" behind the casting choices. It's a masterclass in independent-leaning filmmaking within a studio system.
- Support Natalie Desselle Reid’s Legacy: Her family has occasionally pointed fans toward colon cancer awareness charities. Given her untimely passing, supporting early screening initiatives is a meaningful way to honor her memory.
- Watch the "Ancestors": To truly appreciate the BAPS cast, watch Hollywood Shuffle. It’s Townsend’s earlier work that sets the stage for how he uses satire to dismantle Hollywood’s view of Black actors.
- Revisit the Soundtracks: The 90s was the golden era of movie soundtracks. The BAPS soundtrack is a time capsule of R&B that perfectly complements the energy of the cast.
The BAPS cast gave us a movie that refused to be small. They were loud, they were colorful, and they were fiercely loyal. In a world that often asks people to dim their lights to fit in, Nisi and Mickey—and the actors who played them—remind us to turn the brightness all the way up.
Whether you're watching it for the nostalgia or seeing it for the first time, pay attention to the small moments. Watch how Martin Landau looks at Halle Berry with genuine wonder. Look at how Natalie Desselle Reid commands every scene she's in with just a glance. That's not just "acting"; that's a group of professionals having the time of their lives and creating something that would outlast the critics who tried to bury it.
The film stands as a testament to the fact that "taste" is subjective, but heart is universal. We don't talk about the BAPS cast just because of the outfits; we talk about them because they made us believe that two girls from the hood could change the world just by being themselves.
To fully appreciate the impact of the film, track down the 20th-anniversary interviews where the surviving cast members discuss the filming process. You'll find that the "fabulousness" wasn't just on the screen; it was a vibe that permeated the entire production, creating a lasting bond that remains a significant chapter in the history of 1990s cinema.