Is Akeelah and the Bee Based on a True Story? Ending Explained

May 2024 · 7 minute read
Are you curious to know if is Akeelah and the Bee based on a true story? Stay on this page to know the plot, ending, and whether the 2006 drama film, “Akeelah and the Bee” is based on real-life events.

Akeelah and the Bee

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 movie that was written and directed by Doug Atchison. The story follows the journey of Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old girl played by Keke Palmer who competes in the Scripps National Spelling Bee along with her mother, schoolmates, and coach, Dr. Joshua Larabee, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne. Other notable cast members include Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal, Sean Michael Afable, Erica Hubbard, Lee Thompson Young, Julito McCullum, Sahara Garey, Eddie Steeples, and Tzi Ma.

The film was created over a 10-year period by Atchison, who conceived the initial idea after observing that most competitors in the 1994 Scripps National Spelling Bee came from affluent backgrounds. Atchison finished writing the script in 1999 and went on to win one of the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting in 2000, which caught the attention of producers Sid Ganis and Nancy Hult Ganis.

The project initially had difficulty finding funding but gained momentum after the success of the 2002 documentary Spellbound. Lionsgate Films eventually took on the production in 2004, and it was filmed in South Los Angeles the following year with a budget of over $6 million.

Is Akeelah and the Bee based on a True Story?

No, "Akeelah and the Bee" is not a true story. "While "Akeelah and the Bee" is a work of fiction that portrays the journey of a middle-school student from South Los Angeles who overcomes various obstacles to compete at the National Spelling Bee, the film is a heartfelt tribute to the determination and character of not just one individual, but also to the parents, teachers, and other individuals who support and guide young people towards their goals."

In the film "Akeelah and the Bee," directed and written by Doug Atchison, the conventional cinematic elements are all present, including a heartwarming intergenerational friendship reminiscent of "Karate Kid." However, Atchison expertly employs these familiar tropes, resulting in a movie that pulls at the heartstrings in a genuine and earned manner.

Central to the film's success is the remarkable performance by Keke Palmer, who portrays Akeelah with rare talent. Akeelah is a unique cinematic character, simultaneously adorable yet not overly so, sympathetic without being sentimental, and authentic without becoming tedious.

Is Akeelah and the Bee a Real Story?

Although "Akeelah and the Bee" depict the struggles of a middle-school student from South Los Angeles who strives to compete at the National Spelling Bee, it is not based on a true story. However, the movie serves as an inspiring tribute to the resilience and fortitude of not only the main character but also the parents, educators, and mentors who play a crucial role in shaping and encouraging young individuals to achieve their aspirations. The film highlights the importance of a supportive community and how it can help nurture and cultivate the potential of young people.

Akeelah Anderson is a talented speller at Crenshaw Middle School in South Los Angeles. She wins the schoolwide spelling bee and is encouraged by English professor Dr. Joshua Larabee to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Akeelah prepares on her own, makes friends, and overcomes obstacles, including her mother's disapproval, to qualify for the national competition.

In Washington, D.C., Akeelah and fellow speller Dylan Chiu are declared co-champions after spelling every word listed by the judges. Overall, the story follows Akeelah's journey as she discovers her talent, overcomes challenges, and becomes a role model for her community.

Akeelah and the Bee Plot

Akeelah Anderson is an 11-year-old girl who is passionate about spelling. She attends Crenshaw Middle School, which is located in South Los Angeles and predominantly serves the black community. Akeelah lives with her mother, Tanya, her three older siblings, and her infant niece. When her school principal, Mr. Welch, suggests that she participate in the schoolwide spelling bee, Akeelah initially refuses. However, after facing detention for skipping school, she enters the competition and wins.

Dr. Joshua Larabee, an English professor visiting Akeelah's school, recognizes her potential and encourages her to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Although Akeelah is rude to him, Dr. Larabee tests her and confirms her skills. However, he declines to coach her due to her disrespectful behavior.

Akeelah decides to prepare for the district spelling bee on her own. Despite misspelling a word in the final round, she gets another chance to qualify for the regional bee after a fellow finalist is caught cheating. Akeelah also befriends Javier Mendez, a Mexican-American boy who invites her to join the spelling club at his middle school in Woodland Hills.

At the spelling club, Akeelah meets Dylan Chiu, a Chinese-American boy who has placed second in the past two national spelling bees and is in his final year of eligibility. After Akeelah misspells a word, Dylan insults her and tells her she needs a coach.

Akeelah attends Javier's birthday party, but her mother forbids her from participating in the regional bee and forces her to take summer school to make up for her missed classes. Akeelah forges her deceased father's signature on the consent form and secretly studies with Dr. Larabee.

During the state bee, Tanya interrupts Akeelah before she can spell her word, but later relents after discussing it with Dr. Larabee and Mr. Welch. Akeelah, Dylan, and Javier advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. As Christmas approaches, Akeelah loses motivation after Dr. Larabee quits being her coach and her best friend Georgia rejects her. However, Tanya encourages her to find inspiration in the people around her. Akeelah recruits her family, friends, and neighbors to help her prepare.

In Washington, D.C., Akeelah becomes a crowd favorite at the competition. She overhears Dylan's father pressuring him to win and attempts to intentionally lose, but Dylan also intentionally misspells in response to his father's competitiveness. The two proceed to spell every word listed by the judges until they are declared co-champions. After correctly spelling the word "pulchritude," Akeelah is declared a winner.

Akeelah and the Bee Summary

Akeelah Anderson is an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles who loves spelling. After being encouraged by her school principal, Akeelah competes in the school spelling bee and wins. English professor Dr. Larabee recognizes her potential and urges her to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, but Akeelah must overcome personal obstacles, such as her disrespectful behavior and her mother's resistance.

Akeelah receives help from Javier and Dylan, two other talented spellers, and eventually wins the national competition along with Dylan as co-champions.

Akeelah and the Bee Ending Explained

Dylan expresses his desire for a fair competition to Akeelah, and as a result, they both spell every word listed by the judges until they are both announced as co-champions. Once Akeelah correctly spells "pulchritude," which was the same word she initially misspelled at the beginning of the movie, she is announced as the champion.

Akeelah becomes a fan favorite during the spelling bee and makes it to the final round with Dylan. During a break, Akeelah overhears Dylan's father putting pressure on him to win. Feeling the weight of the moment, Akeelah tries to intentionally lose. However, Dylan, tired of his father's behavior, also deliberately misspells his word. In the end, the judges declare Akeelah and Dylan co-champions as they successfully spell every word given to them. Later, Akeelah correctly spells "pulchritude," the same word she missed earlier, and is declared the sole winner. Throughout the competition, Akeelah's determination and skill earned her respect from the crowd and other contestants alike.



Is Akeelah and the Bee based on a True Story - FAQs

1. What is Akeelah and the Bee?

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film. 

2. Who directed Akeelah and the Bee?

Akeelah and the Bee was directed by Doug Atchison.

3. Who wrote Akeelah and the Bee?

Akeelah and the Bee was written by Doug Atchison.

4. When was Akeelah and the Bee released?

Akeelah and the Bee was released on March 16, 2006.

5. Who played the role of Akeelah? 

Keke Palmer played the role of Akeelah Anderson:

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