If you grew up in the mid-2000s, you didn't just watch movies. You lived them. And for a huge chunk of us, nothing hit quite like the 2006 classic ATL. It wasn’t just about skating or Sunday nights at Cascade. It was about the vibe, the culture, and specifically, the mystery of New New from ATL movie.
Honestly, the moment Lauren London stepped onto the screen as New New, she became an instant icon. She was the girl every girl wanted to be and the girl every guy was looking for. But there is a lot more to the character than just the gold hoops and the pink lip gloss.
The Secret Life of Erin Garnett
Most people remember the "New New" persona. The slicked-back side ponytail. The "ghettofabulous" style. The way she aggressively chewed her bubble gum while hanging out with Veda and Star at the Waffle House. But the real meat of the story is that New New was actually Erin Garnett.
She was the daughter of a wealthy businessman, John Garnett (played by Keith David), living a sheltered life on the "right" side of the tracks. This wasn't just a plot twist for the sake of drama. It was a commentary on classism within the Black community in Atlanta.
New New wasn't just "faking" a persona. She was rebelling against the rigid expectations of her father. She wanted the authenticity and the community of the Southside, while her father was trying to distance her from the very neighborhood he grew up in.
Why the "New New" Aesthetic Still Dominates
You've seen it on TikTok. You've seen it in music videos. The aesthetic of New New from ATL movie is basically the blueprint for "Y2K Streetwear."
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- The Bamboo Hoops: Specifically the ones with her name (or the "New New" moniker) inside.
- The Side Swoop: That perfectly gelled-down baby hair and the high ponytail.
- The Mix of Luxury and Street: She could rock a designer bag and then head straight to a skating rink in a pair of baggy jeans.
Lauren London recently reflected on this role, noting how much she related to the character’s struggle with identity. She wasn't a "rich girl" in real life, but she knew what it felt like to be 17 and trying to find where you fit in.
What’s Really Happening with ATL 2?
Everyone keeps asking: where is the sequel?
It’s been a rollercoaster. Back in 2015, T.I. (who played Rashad) posted a photo with director Chris Robinson and the rest of the crew, including Lauren London. He captioned it "#ATL2 Get Ready." The internet lost its mind.
Then things got quiet.
In 2021, a "trailer" or teaser actually dropped. It featured the original cast walking through the streets of Atlanta to the sounds of Ray Charles. It felt real. It felt like it was finally happening.
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But life happened too.
Jason Weaver, who played Esquire, has been open about why things slowed down. The passing of Nipsey Hussle in 2019 was a massive blow to the cast, particularly to Lauren London. The production rightly took a backseat to allow for healing.
The Cultural Impact in 2026
We are now nearly 20 years removed from the original release. It’s wild to think about.
ATL wasn't just a "urban movie." It was a "New American Story," as the original marketing called it. It showcased a version of Atlanta that the rest of the world hadn't seen yet—not the one on the news, but the one in the skating rinks and the quiet neighborhoods.
The character of New New remains the heart of that story because she represents the bridge between two worlds. She proves that you can have the money and the mansion, but without a sense of "home" and "community," it’s all just empty space.
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Finding Your Own "New New" Vibe
If you're looking to revisit the film or just want to capture that energy, here is how to actually engage with the legacy of the movie today.
Re-watch with a new lens. Don't just watch the skating scenes. Pay attention to the conversations between Erin and her father. Look at how Esquire (the "poor" kid trying to act rich) and Erin (the "rich" kid trying to act poor) are two sides of the same coin.
Support the real Cascade. The skating rink from the movie is a real place in Atlanta. It’s a cultural landmark. If you’re ever in the A, you have to go. It’s not just a movie set; it’s the heartbeat of a community.
Follow the cast's current work. Lauren London has moved on to incredible, soulful roles like in You People or Without Remorse. T.I. is a mogul. Evan Ross is still a staple in the industry. Seeing where they are now makes the nostalgia of New New from ATL movie even sweeter.
The movie taught us that you don't have to be just one thing. You can be Erin and New New at the same time. You just have to find people who love both versions of you.