HOLLYWOOD BREAK UPS
Meet The Woman Forced Out of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
At the age of 23, Jordan Reid had spent a year developing and co-starring in one of the most storied television pilots in recent history. The original It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia episode was shot guerrilla style in her apartment for an estimated $85 and picked up by FX. Reid starred as the first Sweet Dee, next to her boyfriend and Sunny creator Rob McElhenney, and friends Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day. A rare Hollywood success story — until Reid broke up with McElhenney and she was promptly forced out of the series altogether.
Reid, who is now married to Kendrick Strauch of The Harlem Shakes, opened up about the series of events leading to her Sunny exit for the first time publicly on her blog today.
As she tells the story, after FX agreed to shoot “a real pilot for the show,” the four main actors called an impromptu meeting in a production trailer to ensure that everyone was on the same page when it came to the possibility of the network wanting to replace any of the original actors: “Together, we four agreed that they took all of us…or none of us. We were in this thing together — had been for over a year now — and we simply wouldn’t allow them to split us up.”
Around that same, Reid’s relationship with Rob began to fall apart and the three guys (Rob, Glenn and Charlie) were made executive producers. Assuming that it was because “FX felt like a cigar-smoking, whiskey-drinking old boys’ club,” Reid decided not to say anything because she was young and intimidated by the network. As her relationship continued to crumble, she was told by Rob, “in no uncertain terms that if I did not stay in the relationship, I would be off the show.” Choosing to chalk the statement up to hurt feelings, Reid believed that she could not possibly be fired since she spent a year working on the show and had “been so instrumental in its success.”
A few months later, she was told by her agent and manager that the network decided to drop her for being “too pretty.” Reid received “a small payout,” and Kaitlin Olson was recast as Sweet Dee who went on to marry McElhenney last year.
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Posted 23 Oct 2009, 5:21 PM
Amy no like bad guerillas.
Posted 23 Oct 2009, 5:39 PM
Didn't see 'Non Society' coming.
Posted 23 Oct 2009, 8:33 PM
"Too pretty?" Well she is, but if that is criteria for termination than Rob should be fired as well.
Posted 24 Oct 2009, 8:22 AM
Wow. That is incredibly fucked up.
I hope we get a response to this story. This kind of thing leaves a really bad taste in my mouth.
Posted 24 Oct 2009, 12:26 PM
Does she have any projects coming out? It seems odd we haven't heard any of this until now. Cynical, I know, but it's Hollywood.
If it's true, it's sort of a shame because I would hate to have one of my favorite shows tainted by misogynist leanings backstage, but to be honest I can kind of see why a person and their two friends wouldn't necessarily want to give up their big break in order to keep the ex around. It would be very awkward, and not everyone can be all "Fleetwood Mac" about performing with that baggage.
Then again, you mentioned the crucial fact that Mac went on to marry Kaitlin (a nice jab by her managment, by the way, since apparently Kaitlin's just "not pretty" enough to be cast). There's something odd in that dynamic, but I guess he's not the only actor to ever get involved with his costars, is he?
I'd just like to close by saying I'm glad she dumped Mac/he dumped her/she got the boot, because Kaitlin is my favorite on that show (it's a tight race), but her delivery goes beyond comic brilliance. "Would you even know if you werrrrrreeee, though?!?"
Posted 24 Oct 2009, 1:53 PM
Yeah, there's obviously another side to this (even if the facts are the same, Mac's version will probably 'feel' different), but I think they hit the jackpot with the Sweet Dee they have. Who knows what Mac's relationship with Jordan looked like to the people around them...
Posted 24 Oct 2009, 11:08 PM
wow. don't care, don't care, don't care.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 8:02 AM
She's a dumb bitch and I'm a woman saying that! Stay with the schmuck for just a little while more and get what's yours. She's an idiot for ending the relationship. Anyone can deal with a douchebag for the right price.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 4:54 AM
Yeah, just ask your husband.
Posted 26 Oct 2009, 9:01 AM
I think you mean her pimp.
Posted 25 Oct 2009, 12:43 PM
boooohoooo.
really doubt she was "so instrumental in its success."
Posted 30 Oct 2009, 9:44 PM
Who wrote this: her mom, lawyer, or publicist?!
She's clearly bitter 'cause the show's a hit and she's a nobody (doesn't even have an imdb page). Besides, Kaitlyn is a highly trained comedic actress - I doubt this girl's anywhere as good as her. If she were, I would have heard of her before reading this!
Posted 31 Oct 2009, 8:19 PM
Mac got tired of banging her, left her, and now she's trying to make it out like she was part of what made the show great. Sorry lady, you were just another chick that got tossed away when you got to big for your britches. Take a walk bitch, ho's like you are what make mens lives terrible. You weren't funny or cool or even likeable and FX booted your ass before it was to late. I'll bet money that Mac dumped her to begin with. Fuckin bitch.
Posted 31 Oct 2009, 8:25 PM
Yeah, this story smacks of lies. This girl is trying to ride the coat tails of somebody elses success. Gotta agree with Big One here. Did she really have to take the subtle jab at Kaitlin Olsens looks too. I mean, she was just "too pretty" to be Sweet Dee, so what does that make Kaitlin? Oh I know, the girl that's doing her ex and making big money on a popular sitcom (ie; everything this nobody wants to be). She's worse than a has been, she's a never was. Makes me sick to my stomach. Keep this shit to yourself you jealous ho bag.
Posted 10 Nov 2009, 11:18 AM
Wow. Easy, fellas. I'm sure there's truth to each side, but, come on, if she were THAT bitter, she could have had this article written 4 years ago- I'd hardly say she's "jumping on the success bandwagon"- show's been out for 5 seasons already. Use your head instead of your dirty mouth. Have your opinion, but lay off the "bitch" and "ho" talk-- who the hell are YOU? I'm sure even your Sunny idols would disapprove of that talk, especially about someone who used to be their friend. And...you'd probably nnever be able to land a girl as pretty as that Jordan gal!