It’s been over a decade since Sheldon Larry’s Leave It on the Floor premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival, and yet, watching it today feels like catching lightning in a bottle. You’ve probably seen Pose. You definitely know RuPaul’s Drag Race. But this movie? It’s different. It isn’t a slick, high-budget documentary like Paris Is Burning, and it doesn't have the polished, prestige-drama sheen of modern FX shows. It’s a low-budget, high-energy musical that feels like a fever dream of 2011 Los Angeles. Honestly, it’s messy. But in the ballroom world, sometimes the mess is where the truth lives.
The film follows Bradley, played by Ephraim Sykes, who gets kicked out by his homophobic mother and finds his way into the underground ballroom scene. He's a "straight-appearing" kid who has no idea what he's doing until he stumbles into the House of Eminence. From there, it’s a crash course in found family, survival, and the grueling work of "walking" for trophies. What makes Leave It on the Floor stand out isn't just the choreography—which is incredible—but the way it captures a specific era of queer Black and Latine life that was rarely seen on screen at the time.
Breaking Down the Ballroom Magic
Most people think ballroom is just about the runway. It's not. It's a complex social hierarchy. In the movie, the House of Eminence is led by the formidable Queequeg, played by Miss Barbie-Q. She’s the "Mother." If you aren't familiar with the term, the Mother is the glue. She provides the roof, the discipline, and the tough love that the world refuses to give these kids.
The music is a huge part of why this film works. Kim Burse, who worked as a creative director for Beyoncé, handled the musical arrangements. You can hear that influence. The songs aren't just Broadway-style show tunes; they are gritty, rhythmic, and deeply rooted in the house music and vogue beats of the L.A. scene.
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- "Loser’s List" is a standout track. It’s raw.
- The choreography was handled by Frank Gatson Jr.
- The lyrics were written by Glenn Gaylord.
There's a specific kind of energy in the scene where they perform at a local shop, turning a mundane chore into a high-fashion moment. It’s campy, sure. But it also highlights the ingenuity of people who have to make "fabulous" out of "nothing." You’ve got characters like Princess Destiny, a trans woman navigating the difficulties of survival sex work and the desire for true love. It’s heavy stuff, but the movie handles it with a sort of musical defiance.
The Controversy and the Reality
Not everyone loved the movie when it came out. Some critics felt it was too chaotic. Others thought the musical format clashed with the harsh reality of homelessness and the HIV/AIDS epidemic that the film touches upon. But isn't that the point? Ballroom was created as a response to tragedy. It’s a way to turn pain into art.
When you look at Leave It on the Floor, you have to see it as a snapshot. In 2011, we weren't seeing many films where the entire cast was queer and of color, especially not in a musical format. It was experimental. It used real members of the L.A. ballroom community as extras and dancers. This gives it an authenticity that a bigger budget might have actually polished away. If the lighting looks a bit harsh or the sound is a little echoey in spots, it just adds to the "underground" feel.
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Why We Need to Talk About the Cast
Ephraim Sykes, who plays Bradley, went on to be a massive star. He was in Hamilton on Broadway. He was nominated for a Tony for Ain't Too Proud. Watching him in this early role is a trip. You can see the raw talent. Then there’s Phillip Evelyn, who plays Carter. His voguing is top-tier.
The film doesn't shy away from the friction between houses either. The rivalry between the House of Eminence and the House of Deluxe is central to the plot. It’s about more than just a trophy. It’s about status in a world that tells you that you have no status.
Key Elements That Defined the Film:
- The Costume Design: Created on a shoestring budget but looks like high fashion.
- The Setting: Gritty L.A. locations that haven't been gentrified yet.
- The Dialogue: Uses actual ballroom slang naturally, without over-explaining it to a straight audience.
Honestly, the film is a bit of a time capsule. It captures the transition from the old-school ballroom of the 80s and 90s into the modern, more visible era we see now. It’s the bridge between the documentary era and the Pose era.
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The Impact of Leave It on the Floor
Is it a perfect movie? No. Some of the transitions are jarring. Some of the acting from the non-professionals is exactly what you'd expect. But it has a heartbeat. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s deeply empathetic toward its characters.
The film addresses the "black sheep" narrative in a way that feels personal. When Bradley’s mother tells him she doesn't want him around, it’s a scene played with devastating simplicity. It sets the stakes for the rest of the movie. If he doesn't succeed in the House of Eminence, he literally has nowhere else to go.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Ballroom Cinema
If you're looking to dive deeper into this world after watching Leave It on the Floor, you should approach it with a bit of a roadmap. Don't just watch one thing and think you get it.
- Watch 'Paris Is Burning' First: It’s the foundational text. You need to understand the New York roots to appreciate the L.A. spin this movie provides.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Find the Kim Burse arrangements on streaming platforms. The lyrics contain a lot of the subtext you might miss during the high-speed dance numbers.
- Follow the Cast: Many of the dancers in this film are still active in the ballroom community. Look up the real-life Houses in Los Angeles to see how the culture has evolved since 2011.
- Support Independent Queer Cinema: Films like this only get made because people take risks. Look for festivals like Outfest or NewFest to find the next generation of storytellers.
The legacy of Leave It on the Floor is one of resilience. It reminds us that even when the world ignores you, you can still build your own stage, find your own family, and, most importantly, leave all your pain on the floor.