You remember that summer. The TikTok algorithm was basically nothing but "OOTD" videos, Kendra Scott necklaces, and the frantic energy of 18-year-olds in Tuscaloosa hoping they didn't get "dropped." When Max (formerly HBO Max) announced they were filming a documentary about the whole thing, the internet collectively lost its mind. People expected a "Mean Girls" style exposé. What we got was something way more internal and, honestly, a little weird.
The cast of Bama Rush wasn't just a list of names; they were real girls who got caught in a crossfire between a high-stakes social tradition and a film crew that some felt had a "hidden agenda."
Director Rachel Fleit ended up with a film that was as much about her own journey with alopecia as it was about the University of Alabama. But for the girls on screen—Shelby, Isabelle, Makayla, and Holliday—the stakes were their entire social future.
The Main Four: Where Are the Bama Rush Stars Now?
It’s been a minute since the cameras stopped rolling. Most people want to know if these girls actually made it into sororities or if the "documentary curse" blacklisted them.
Shelby Rose: The Pageant Queen Who Stepped Away
Shelby was the face of the documentary for a long time. She was the one we saw preparing from her bedroom in Illinois, talking about being adopted and her dreams of Southern Greek life. But halfway through the movie, she basically disappears.
Why? Because Shelby wasn't vibing with the direction.
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She later took to TikTok to explain that she stopped filming during Rush Week. Rumors were flying on campus that the film crew was using secret microphones (which the director denied), and Shelby felt the "vibe" didn't align with her values.
- The Result: She didn't need the doc. Shelby ended up rushing Phi Mu.
- Today: She’s been living her best life as a UA student, majoring in Public Relations and continuing her pageant career (she was crowned Miss Quincy in 2023).
Isabelle Eacrett: The One Who Finished the Race
Isabelle was arguably the emotional heart of the film. She was open about her struggles with self-worth and the pressure to find a "home." Unlike some of the other girls, Isabelle stuck with the filming until the very end.
Watching her on Bid Day was one of the only moments of pure "rush" satisfaction in the whole movie. She ended up with Alpha Delta Pi (ADPi). She’s since been a vocal advocate for the experience, showing that you can be part of a documentary and still find your place in the Panhellenic world.
Makayla Miller: The Local Alabama Perspective
Makayla brought a different energy. Being from Alabama, she understood the weight of the "Machine" and the historical context of the school better than the out-of-state girls. In the film, she worked with a rush consultant, which was a wild concept for people outside the South to wrap their heads around.
She ended up not finishing the recruitment process during the filming period due to personal reasons and health struggles discussed in the doc. However, she’s remained a relatable figure for many who felt the "perfection" of RushTok was a lie.
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Holliday Hoit: The Confident Contender
Holliday was another primary subject who dealt with the intense scrutiny of the Alabama social scene. Like Makayla, she represented the high-pressure environment where every outfit and Instagram post is scrutinized by "moms" and active members.
The Supporting Players: Consultants and Creators
The cast of Bama Rush included people who weren't even students. These were the "experts" paid thousands of dollars to make sure 18-year-olds didn't say the wrong thing.
- Trisha Addicks: A professional rush consultant. She was shown coaching the girls on everything from conversation topics to how to sit. To an outsider, it looked like spy training. To Bama parents, it was a necessary investment.
- Sloan Anderson: Another consultant featured who helped navigate the "social resume" aspect of the process.
- Bama Morgan (Morgan Cadenhead): While she wasn't a "main" subject of the Max doc in the same way, she became the face of Bama Rush on TikTok. Interestingly, she’s recently moved into the spotlight again with the 2025/2026 Lifetime series A Sorority Mom's Guide to Rush!, showing that the "Rush" brand is a career for some.
Why the "Cast" Felt So Different from the "Trend"
The biggest complaint about the documentary was that it didn't show enough actual "rushing." There’s a reason for that.
The University of Alabama Panhellenic Association is a fortress. They didn't allow cameras inside the houses. Because of that, the cast of Bama Rush spent most of their screen time in dorm rooms or coffee shops.
Director Rachel Fleit has defended the film, saying it was never meant to be a "behind-the-scenes" of sorority secrets, but rather a look at young womanhood and the desire to belong. But if you talk to the girls in the houses, they’ll tell you the documentary was a massive distraction.
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The 2026 Perspective: Was it Worth It?
Looking back from 2026, the documentary feels like a time capsule of a very specific era of TikTok fame.
Most of the "cast" has moved on. They are seniors now or have graduated. The "drama" of whether they had microphones in their bras seems silly in hindsight.
What we learned from the Bama Rush cast:
- The "Blacklist" is real-ish: Rushing while filming a documentary is basically playing the game on "Veteran" difficulty.
- Social Media is the resume: The girls who succeeded, like Shelby and Isabelle, already had a strong sense of self-brand.
- The Documentary was a Rorschach test: If you hated sororities, you saw a cult. If you loved them, you saw a sisterhood being unfairly targeted.
Your Move: Navigating the Bama Brand
If you’re following the cast of Bama Rush because you’re planning to head to Tuscaloosa yourself, take a breath. The "characters" you saw on screen were navigating a storm that doesn't exist for the average student.
Next Steps for Future PNMs:
- Follow the girls, not the doc: If you want a real vibe of UA Greek life, look at Shelby Rose’s current TikTok or Instagram. It’s way more representative of daily life than the high-tension editing of a Max original.
- Ignore the "Machine" myths: While the doc dives into "The Machine" (the campus political secret society), it has almost zero impact on whether you get a bid to a sorority. Don't let that freak you out.
- Be careful with contracts: If a production company approaches you for a "new" rush doc, remember Shelby’s experience. You might sign away the rights to your image before you even know what the "story" is going to be.
The legacy of the Bama Rush cast isn't found in the credits of the movie, but in the way they've handled the aftermath. Most of them are just regular college students who had a very weird freshman year.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking for the most "honest" update on the cast, check their personal YouTube channels rather than re-watching the doc. Many have posted "What I wish I knew" videos that skip the cinematic fluff and get to the actual reality of being a "Rush Celebrity."