The University of Alabama’s sorority recruitment, Bama Rush — lovingly known on Titkok as #BamaRush and #RushTok — has officially managed to secure a spot in the zeitgeist of social media, an inevitable turn of events considering how quickly it took over the platform in the summer of 2021. Last year, a few thousand fresh-faced and Kendra Scott-adorned freshmen swayed through the Tuscaloosa, Alabama heat house-to-house while millions of TikTok users watched in anticipation for the coveted bid many of these young girls would — or, unfortunately, would not — receive.
Last August, as our “season 2” #BamaRush stars unpacked from their sorority retreats and slipped into their favorite Lululemon leggings for the first week of class, HBOMax and Vice Studios confirmed that a documentary detailing the indoctrinated Greek life recruitment process was on the way. Now, Max (formerly HBO Max) has announced the official release date of the documentary with the trailer to boot.
Related: Done With Bama Rush TikTok? Watch These Greek Life Movies & Shows Next
Rush-obsessed viewers and sorority members themselves are now counting down the days until this viral phenomenon/semi-secret world is put on the big screen for all to see. Below, we've gathered everything we know so far about the documentary, including the release date, the film's potential cast (and infamous #ootds), and the controversy surrounding the “undercover” production.
What is the Bama Rush doc about?
As noted previously, the Bama Rush doc will be produced by Vice Studios for HBO Max and will be directed by Rachel Fleit (Introducing, Selma Blair). The documentary is set to follow the entire recruitment process at Alabama. “This film is a thoughtful and compassionate portrayal of young women in 2022 as they rush the sorority system at the University of Alabama,” Fleit wrote in a statement provided by Vice to The New York Times. Per The Times, the doc will “explore college life, sisterhood, and all the joys and complexities of what it means to be a young woman today, following several women from the University of Alabama.” The documentary is currently in production in Tuscaloosa, where the University of Alabama's rush week recently finished.
What's the controversy surrounding the Bama Rush doc?
While there were dozens of girls who shared their recruitment process during “Bama Rush season 2," many comment sections revealed that there were active sorority members who “strongly discouraged” prospective new members (PNMs for short) from posting on social media after the whirlwind of last year’s virality. Some chose to take their chances with the potential consequences, while others like PNM Shelby Rose opted to post all her rush day videos in one consecutive sweep the same day she accepted a bid from Phi Mu.
Viral TikToks like Alpha Omicron Pi member Amanda Evans's claimed that some rush-ees were dropped during the week for wearing wired microphones, in connection with an “undercover” documentary. One PNM Marina Anderson told NYT she was cut for this exact reason, after being suspected of wearing a mic and a battery pack at a party. Marina alleges she was not wearing a mic. While speaking to The Times, a spokesman for Vice Studios named Jonathan Bing confirmed the existence of the documentary and claimed that the rumors of hidden microphones were untrue.
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University administration has made it clear they are not receptive to the filming of the documentary and have made no efforts to support the project. In an email to The Times, an assistant director of communication at the University of Alabama named Shane Dorrill emphasized that the university was “not involved with the production,” writing: “The university is aware of reports that outside parties have facilitated unauthorized recordings of our students involved in Panhellenic recruitment. The university has not authorized any third-party entity to film, record or document any recruitment activities and does not allow media inside occupied buildings such as residence halls and sorority houses.”
Who will be in the cast of the Bama Rush doc?
While the trailer shows three prospective sorority members going through the rush process and detailing personal experiences, they do not share their names. But, we can assume those three will be leading the narrative and conversation around the entire rush process.
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The clear diamond of rush week this past season was none other than Miss Ohio Teen USA 2022, Kylan Darnell. Kylan's content led the pack, gathering over 50 millions views throughout the week with her charming and consistent sign off: “Have a great day, not just a good day.” Alongside Kylan were PNMs like Gracyn Edmondson, Madison Towner, Shelby Rose, and Grant Sikes.
Grant, a nonbinary student, quickly became a fan favorite and was dubbed “the main character of Bama Rush” this year. Grant had several TikTok viewers distraught when she shared that she'd been cut from the Panhellenic process right before “pref round." Grant posted that she was dropped from every sorority on campus — 19 in total — and would no longer be participating in rush week. Despite being cut, it's definitely still possible that Grant could appear in the documentary and share more details about her experience.
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Where will I be able to watch the Bama Rush doc?
Vice Studios is producing the Bama Rush doc for Max — the sorority documentary will premiere and be available to watch on the popular streaming service.
Does the Bama Rush doc have a release date?
The Bama Rush documentary is set to hit our screens on May 23. We're already preparing for the TikTok content that will be come out discussing what the documentary decides to explore.
Is there a trailer for the Bama Rush doc?
We will keep updating this story as news about the #BamaRush documentary breaks.
