Another Cinderella Story

Another Cinderella Story

Year: 2008

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Damon Santostefano

MusicComedySong and danceRelationship comedyDance rhythms and catchy tunes

A modern twist on Cinderella: after sharing a dance at a masquerade, a young man is left with only a single clue—a Zune the mysterious girl dropped in her rush to meet curfew. When a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance appears, he embarks on a quest to track down the masked beauty and discover her true identity.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Another Cinderella Story (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Another Cinderella Story (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 2000s

The film adopts a contemporary setting, reflecting pop culture of the era with references to MP3 players and reality-style dance scenes. It features a Valentine’s masquerade ball and a school dance contest, placing its events firmly in a modern high school timeline. The narrative pace and fashion cues anchor the story in the late 2000s era of teen cinema.

Location

New York City, Manhattan Academy of Performing Arts, Dominique Blatt's home

The story unfolds in an urban high school setting in New York City, centered on the Manhattan Academy of Performing Arts. It also follows the backstage and domestic spaces of Dominique Blatt, highlighting the clash between showbiz glamour and everyday life. The school environment and Dominique's home become the two main stages where talent, ambition, and conflict collide.

🏙️ Urban 🎭 Theater district 💃 Dance-focused

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Main Characters – Another Cinderella Story (2008)

Meet the key characters of Another Cinderella Story (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mary Santiago (Selena Gomez)

A high school senior with a hidden talent for dance who endures neglect from her guardian while nurturing a bold dream of performing professionally. She starts off shy and self-effacing but grows through resilience, kindness, and the courage to perform in public. Her talent is a beacon that gradually earns recognition and independence. She embodies quiet strength and perseverance in the face of adversity.

💃 Dancer 🧭 Hidden talent 💪 Resilient

Joey Parker (Drew Seeley)

A famous pop star who returns to his high school for his senior year to remember why he loves dancing. He hosts a dance contest and becomes Mary’s love interest, navigating fame, pressure, and genuine connection. He is charismatic and talented, yet vulnerable about his own artistic motivations. His romance with Mary anchors the emotional arc of the story.

🎤 Pop star 💃 Dancer 💖 Romance

Dominique Blatt (Jane Lynch)

A washed-up pop star serving as Mary’s guardian, who schemes to revive her own career by leveraging Mary’s talent. She wields control over Mary’s life and attempts to manipulate situations to regain prominence. Her vanity and avarice bring conflict and ultimately contribute to her downfall when the truth about Mary’s talents comes to light.

👩‍🎤 Fame 🗝️ Control 💔 Exploitation

Britt

Dominique’s snobbish daughter who bullies Mary and Ally, using social status and manipulation to try to sabotage Mary’s opportunities. She embodies vanity and jealousy, often acting out to preserve a facade of perfection. Her actions fuel the central conflict and drive Mary to prove herself.

😒 Bullying 🎭 Vanity 💬 Gossip

Bree

Dominique’s other daughter who participates in the bullying dynamic and chases social approval. She adds pressure to Mary through party culture and rivalry, reinforcing the social stakes around who gets attention and opportunity. Her role helps highlight the film’s themes of appearance versus reality.

😒 Bullying 🎉 Party culture 💬 Gossip

Natalia Faroush (Nicole LaPlaca)

Joey’s ex-girlfriend and a rival who schemes to win him back by undermining Mary. She uses charm, cunning, and jealousy to complicate Mary’s path to acceptance. Her interference tests Mary’s resolve and integrity as she pursues the ball and the relationship.

💋 Temptation 🎭 Deception 💔 Jealousy

Tami (Jessica Parker Kennedy)

Mary’s best friend who remains loyal and supportive, helping her secure help for the masquerade and encouraging Mary to trust her own talents. She plays a crucial role in organizing alternatives and keeping Mary grounded during adversity. Her friendship provides emotional resilience for Mary.

🤝 Friendship 💪 Loyalty 🌟 Support

Dustin (Marcus T. Paullk)

Mary’s dance partner and a charismatic friend who also engages in light flirtation with Tami. He provides companionship and assists Mary during key dance moments, contributing to the team’s chemistry and growth. His presence adds humor and warmth to the group dynamics.

💃 Dancer 🤝 Friend 💡 Reveal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

Major Themes – Another Cinderella Story (2008)

Explore the central themes of Another Cinderella Story (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💫 Dreams

Mary’s dream to become a professional dancer drives much of the plot, giving her a reason to endure neglect and bullying. Dance becomes her language, a way to claim agency and self-worth when other areas of her life feel out of reach. The masquerade and dance contest serve as turning points where her talent is finally acknowledged. The theme emphasizes perseverance and the transformative power of pursuing one’s art.

🎭 Identity

Characters wear both literal and figurative masks—the masquerade ball and rumors alike—testing what is real versus what is seen. Mary's quiet exterior hides a fierce talent, while others present polished façades that conceal insecurity and self-doubt. When Mary and Joey perform together, authenticity shines through, illustrating that true identity appears in action, not rumor. The film uses disguise to probe how people present themselves under pressure.

🤝 Friendship

Tami’s steadfast loyalty offers Mary emotional ground and practical help, showing how friendship can counteract cruelty and manipulation. The two friends navigate bullies, guardians, and romantic misunderstandings through trust and teamwork. Their bond keeps Mary grounded and resilient as she pursues her goals. The theme celebrates solidarity and the healing power of supportive relationships.

🎤 Fame vs Integrity

Dominique’s attempt to use Mary for career revival exposes the moral tension between celebrity ambition and exploitation. Joey’s return to dance reaffirms why he loves performing outside of fame’s glare, emphasizing artistic integrity. The resolution demonstrates that genuine talent and honest connections prevail over opportunistic manipulation. The film critiques the costs of pursuing fame at the expense of others.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:21

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Another Cinderella Story Summary

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Another Cinderella Story Summary

Another Cinderella Story Timeline

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Another Cinderella Story Timeline

Another Cinderella Story Spoiler-Free Summary

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Another Cinderella Story Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Another Cinderella Story

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