Claire Thompson
In the 2004 comedy-crime movie White Chicks, Terry Crews plays the role of 'cool cat' Latrell Spencer, who performs a rendition of Vanessa Carlton's 'A Thousand Miles'. Crews' character performs the song while driving, and the scene has since become iconic, with Crews recreating the performance at a sports game in 2023. Crews has shared that he was very familiar with the song prior to filming, and his memorable dance moves were all improvised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | A Thousand Miles |
| Singer | Vanessa Carlton |
| Movie | White Chicks |
| Year | 2004 |
| Actor | Terry Crews |
| Character Name | Latrell Spencer |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Terry Crews' performance of 'A Thousand Miles'
In the 2004 comedy film White Chicks, Terry Crews plays Latrell Spencer, a pro basketball player who takes a particular liking to "Tiffany", one of the two white hotel heiresses at risk of a Hamptons-based kidnapping. In one of the film's most iconic scenes, Crews' character, smitten with "Tiffany", picks her up after winning a date at an auction. During the car ride, "Tiffany", who does not reciprocate Spencer's feelings, attempts to scare him off by playing Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles". However, to her surprise, Spencer is a fan and exclaims, "How did you know? I love this song!". He then proceeds to sing along with the piano notes, making hilarious facial expressions and hand gestures while driving. This scene is considered a catalyst to Crews' success, and he has since recreated it multiple times, including on Lip Sync Battle and at a sports game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
"A Thousand Miles" is a highly acclaimed song by Vanessa Carlton, first featured in the film Legally Blonde (2001) and later released as a single in 2002. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 41 weeks. It continues to be a popular song, receiving regular rotation on adult contemporary and adult pop radio stations.
In the White Chicks scene, Crews delivers a memorable and entertaining performance of "A Thousand Miles". His character's enthusiasm for the song, coupled with his over-the-top facial expressions and hand gestures, makes the scene both funny and endearing. Crews' natural charm and comedic timing shine through, and he perfectly captures the essence of a love-struck man who is unapologetically enjoying his favourite song.
The scene has gained a cult following, with fans recreating it and sharing their own interpretations on social media platforms such as TikTok. Crews himself has embraced the scene's popularity, even recreating it nearly two decades later, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences and his willingness to engage with his fans.
Overall, Terry Crews' performance of "A Thousand Miles" in White Chicks is a delightful and unexpected moment in the film. His energetic and humorous portrayal of a man embracing his favourite song adds a layer of comedy and charm to the story, leaving a lasting impression on viewers and solidifying his talent as an actor and entertainer.
Reheating Sweet & Sour Chicken: Air Fryer Style
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The song as a running joke
In the 2004 comedy-crime movie "White Chicks," Terry Crews plays the role of 'cool cat' Latrell Spencer, who has a memorable scene singing along to Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." This scene has since become iconic and Crews has even recreated it at a sports game, with fans going wild.
The song itself was chosen by director Keenen Ivory Wayans to be a running joke in the film. It had to fit the specific criteria of being a song that two FBI agents, played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans, wouldn't know, but one that two Hilton-esque blonde heiresses (their undercover personas) would know by heart. Wayans described it as a female anthem and a song that "no man, especially a black man, would know the lyrics to."
The choice of "A Thousand Miles" was particularly fitting, as it was a huge hit and already well-known before filming. Crews himself was very familiar with the song, as he recalled getting "feels" every time he heard the opening piano intro. He even fell a little bit in love with Marlon during the filming of the scene!
The scene is also significant as it allowed Crews to play against type and break down a stereotype of black men. As Crews himself wrote, it was a bold statement to have a "very large intimidating black man" who would stereotypically have violent and misogynistic music tastes, instead singing along to a "'white girl' anthem".
The impact of this scene has been long-lasting, with Crews still recreating the performance and fans continuing to go wild for it. It has become one of the most memorable parts of the film, with Crews' dance moves, including head shakes, pretend walking, and pointing to his watch, becoming iconic.
Bacon Galore on Subway's Chicken Bacon Ranch
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Terry Crews' character, Latrell Spencer
In the 2004 comedy-crime movie White Chicks, Terry Crews plays the character of Latrell Spencer, a "cool cat". Crews' performance in the film is considered iconic, particularly his rendition of the song 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton, which he performs while driving. Crews' character Latrell Spencer is known for his flamboyant and fun-loving personality, as evidenced by his memorable performance of the song.
Latrell Spencer is a wealthy and popular man who is used to getting what he wants. In the film, he pursues the Wilson sisters, who are actually FBI agents Marcus and Kevin Copeland in disguise as white women. Latrell is initially attracted to their physical appearance and doesn't seem to notice that they are not actually women. This sets up a comedic dynamic where the audience is in on the joke, but Latrell remains oblivious until the film's climax.
Latrell Spencer's character serves as a source of both humour and conflict in the film. His pursuit of the Wilson sisters leads to a series of comedic situations and misunderstandings. At the same time, his wealth and popularity also create obstacles for the protagonists, as they try to navigate their mission while keeping up their disguises. Latrell's persistence and charm make him a formidable opponent for the protagonists, adding tension and humour to the story.
Terry Crews' portrayal of Latrell Spencer is considered a highlight of the film. Crews brings a unique blend of comedy and charisma to the role, showcasing his ability to create memorable characters. Crews' physical presence and athletic physique also add to the impact of the character, as he contrasts his elaborate character comedy with his muscular build, further emphasising the comedic aspects of the role.
Crews' performance in White Chicks, particularly his rendition of 'A Thousand Miles', has left a lasting impression on audiences. Even years later, Crews has recreated the scene at various events, including a sports game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, where he was caught by a halftime camera lip-syncing and performing the same flamboyant hand movements from the film.
Identifying Baby Chicks: Male or Female?
You may want to see also
Terry Crews' dance moves
In the 2004 comedy crime movie White Chicks, Terry Crews played the role of basketball player Latrell Spencer. Crews' character performed a now-iconic rendition of 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton, which has been recreated by fans and Crews himself numerous times since.
In the scene, Crews performs a series of dance moves and flamboyant hand movements while lip-syncing along to the song. Crews has revealed that he crafted the dance moves and head bops himself, choreographing the entire sequence in his hotel room before filming.
The scene has been recreated by Crews on Lip Sync Battle and at a Los Angeles Rams game, where he was caught on camera lip-syncing and dancing along to the song. Crews has also shared a video of himself on Instagram, recreating the dance behind the scenes of America's Got Talent, where he works as a host.
The dance moves from this scene have become so well-known that they have inspired GIFs and comments from fans, with some stating that Crews taught them how to dance. The scene has been described as "legendary" and "hilarious", with fans expressing their love for Crews' performance and unique moves.
Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared: Chicken Picnic Chaos
You may want to see also
Recreating the scene at a sports game
In 2023, almost two decades after the release of White Chicks, Terry Crews sent fans into a frenzy by recreating his iconic performance of 'A Thousand Miles' at a sports game. The Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers game became the backdrop for Crews' impromptu rendition of the song, which was captured in a 16-second TikTok video. The camera panned to Crews, who enthusiastically lip-synced to the song, complete with flamboyant hand movements, much to the delight of the audience.
The original scene in White Chicks has become a cult classic, with Crews' character, Latrell Spencer, delivering a cringe-yet-fantastic performance of 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton. The scene subverted stereotypes, portraying an intimidating black man expressing his love for a song that was presumed to be a "white girl" anthem. Crews' memorable dance moves, including head shakes, pretend walking, and pointing to his watch, added to the scene's impact.
The recreation of this scene at the sports game showcases the lasting impression it has left on audiences. Crews' willingness to embrace the moment and perform the song again demonstrates his understanding of the scene's cultural significance. By stepping back into character, Crews delivered a spontaneous performance that captured the hearts of fans, both old and new.
To recreate the scene effectively, several key elements should be considered. Firstly, the setting should be a sporting event with a lively atmosphere, reminiscent of the energy of the original scene. The song 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton is integral to the scene, with its recognisable piano intro and uplifting melody. Crews' passionate lip-syncing and expressive hand gestures brought the song to life, enhancing the overall performance.
Additionally, Crews' interaction with the audience or other individuals present can heighten the impact of the scene. In the original, Crews' character expresses his love for the song, creating a moment of connection and humour. Recreating this scene at a sports game can be enhanced by engaging with the surrounding crowd, inviting them to join in the performance, or simply enjoying the shared experience.
By incorporating these elements, a recreation of the iconic 'A Thousand Miles' scene from White Chicks at a sports game can capture the same magic that made the original so beloved. Crews' spontaneous performance demonstrates the enduring appeal of the scene and the power it holds in popular culture.
Spicy Chicken Patty: Carb Count at Wendy's
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Terry Crews sings 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton in White Chicks.
Director Keenen Ivory Wayans wanted a song that would become a running joke in the movie. It had to be a song that two FBI agents wouldn't know but two Hilton-esque heiresses would have memorised.
Terry Crews played 'cool cat' Latrell Spencer in White Chicks.
Crews' performance allowed him to play against type and break down a stereotype of black men, something he has continued to do in other roles such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine's gentle giant Sergeant Terry Jeffords.
Yes, Crews has performed the song multiple times since White Chicks, including on an episode of Lip Sync Battle and at a Los Angeles Rams game.
