Pulp Fiction Cast Reunites After 30 Years — Uma Thurman Stuns in Sleek Black Ensemble

In April 2024, Uma Thurman reunited with her Pulp Fiction co-stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Harvey Keitel to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary as part of the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival opening night.

Thurman joined the cast of the 1994 Quentin Tarantino independent crime film as Mia Wallace—the role that catapulted her to stardom.

30 years later, Uma Thurman’s portrayal of Mia Wallace remains iconic, a testament to a role that was highly contested but became hers, defining a generation at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival (Credit: Miramax Films)

During the casting process for Mia Wallace in “Pulp Fiction,” Tarantino and Miramax considered numerous actresses, including Isabella Rossellini, Meg Ryan, Daryl Hannah, Joan Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Halle Berry, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Holly Hunter, Alfre Woodard, and Michelle Pfeiffer, who was Tarantino’s preferred choice and auditioned for the role.

In the end, Thurman won the part, earning her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Pulp Fiction cast Harvey Keitel, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta reunite at the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival opening night and 30th Anniversary Presentation of Pulp Fiction at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 18, 2024 (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

Uma Thurman’s Eclectic Style Sense

Mia Wallace’s look was influenced by silent film stars and designed to evoke a femme fatale. She frequently appears with a cigarette in one hand and wearing a white collared shirt and black pants combo.

It would have been interesting if Uma Thurman had opted to wear her character’s iconic outfit instead of dressing entirely in black for the reunion.

While she’s not the type to follow trends, Uma never fails to turn heads with her unique style that often blends modern and classic elements. Her latest red carpet look seems to be a mix of many styles. It’s sleek, and she looks fab, but I don’t particularly like it.

Uma Thurman, who plays Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction, opts for an all-black ensemble featuring a form-fitting top, straight-leg trousers, and a black jacket (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

It seemed that the 53-year-old actress was wearing a bodysuit as her high-necked top appeared too tight, hugging every inch of her figure. She styled the ensemble by tucking it into straight-leg, high-waisted pants with front pleats and layering it beneath a black cardigan jacket with silver-tone metal snap closures.

If you felt the look was too basic for the red carpet occasion, that’s perfectly understandable. But Uma Thurman’s timeless beauty and ability to pull off even the most basic outfits are too irresistible to ignore.

Uma Thurman styles her sleek head-to-toe black outfit with black and silver accessories (Credit: Ryan Hartford / INSTARimages)

Finishing the Head-to-Toe Black Look with Black and Silver Accessories

As someone who loves all things black, I liven up an all-black ensemble by adding a standout accessory, such as statement jewelry, a bag, or shoes. In Thurman’s case, the glitz wasn’t limited to her $780 Khaite “Julius Loop” hoop earrings, fashioned from silver-tone metal with a sculptural silhouette and a ridged finish.

Her Rabanne oval-shaped metal buckled belt, which matched her earrings and the buttons on her outerwear, appeared to be the focal point of the ensemble, curated by Gabriella Karefa-Johnson.

It certainly gave the all-black outfit more oomph, but it also struck me as a little dated. I didn’t find it appealing, and I thought a narrow belt would look better for a sleeker finish.

Uma Thurman emphasizes her waist with a black leather belt by Rabanne featuring a large oval-shaped metal buckle (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

Adding a timeless, minimalist accessory to the look, Maya Hawke’s mom carried her essentials in a black bag by Coperni.

She chose the $780 Baguette Swipe bag, crafted in Italy from smooth leather and featuring a sleek, curved triangular silhouette. It featured the Coperni logo on the center front and a double-ended zip fastening around the oval-shaped top handle.

Uma Thurman carries her essentials in a sleek, timeless black top-handle bag by Coperni (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)

Uma Thurman Brings Back 1990s Thong Craze

Standing five feet eleven inches, Uma rounded out her head-to-toe black look with thong sandals that exposed her sleek black pedicure, professionally done by Yoko Sakakura. The minimalist sandals, featuring slim thongs and ankle straps, perfectly complemented her chic ensemble.

Summery thong sandals, defined by their minimalist Y-shaped upper straps, were all the rage in the 1990s because of their carefree design that encapsulated the decade’s transition to casual fashion.

I’m not really into thong sandals as they tend to become uncomfortable. To keep them on, you must continuously squeeze the strap between your big and second toes, which wears down the skin over time. But I admit, they’re the perfect shoes for elevating casual or beachwear.

Uma Thurman shows off her pedicured feet in a pair of minimalist black thong sandals (Credit: Ryan Hartford / INSTARimages)

Uma Thurman’s Timeless Beauty

Despite my love of black clothing, Uma Thurman’s ensemble doesn’t exactly suit my taste. However, her classic beauty is undeniable.

Hairdresser Marki straightened Uma’s blonde tresses and effortlessly parted them to the side.

Uma Thurman displays her innate beauty with soft pink makeup and a straight, side-parted hairstyle (Credit: Abaca Press / INSTARimages)

Makeup artist Shayna Gold probably had no trouble beautifying the actress’s appearance; she just gave her features a dab of soft pink blush, lipstick, and mascara.

Uma Thurman Was Terrified of Dancing With John Travolta in Pulp Fiction

When working with Quentin Tarantino for the first time on “Pulp Fiction,” nothing was more terrifying for Uma Thurman than dancing opposite John Travolta.

The music played during the “Twist contest,” in which Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) competed, was Chuck Berry’s 1964 song “You Never Can Tell,” also known as “C’est La Vie” or “Teenage Wedding.”

Uma Thurman played the memorable character of Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction (Credit: Miramax Films)

She was only 24 when she starred as Mia Wallace, the wife of gang boss Marsellus Wallace (played by Ving Rhames).

At the time of Pulp Fiction’s premiere on October 14, 1994, John Travolta was 40 years old, Samuel L. Jackson was 45, Bruce Willis was 39, Harvey Keitel was 55, Tim Roth was 33, Amanda Plummer was 37, Ving Rhames was 35, and Eric Stoltz was 33.

Uma Thurman’s impressive performance made Mia Wallace’s character in Pulp Fiction unforgettable. However, Quentin Tarantino’s first choice for the role was Brigitte Nielsen, Sylvester Stallone’s ex-wife and Red Sonja star.

Nielsen was a friend of a friend, and in 1991, she could have potentially helped finance Pulp as a low-budget short. By 1993, the project expanded into a feature-length film script, and Tarantino considered several other actresses for the role, including Holly Hunter, Meg Tilly, Alfre Woodard, and Rosanna Arquette, while Michelle Pfeiffer and Meg Ryan’s agents pitched them for the part.

Quentin Tarantino has revealed that Jennifer Aniston was considered for the role of Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction, but Uma Thurman ultimately won the part (Credit: Miramax Films)

Arquette even tested for the role, but Thurman eventually won out. Although Tarantino initially had reservations about Thurman, he changed his mind after meeting her in person, and they hit it off. Despite this, Uma initially turned down the role because she didn’t think it was right for her.

All in one night, she seamlessly dances the twist, overdoses on heroin, and takes a shot of adrenaline straight to the heart.

The dance sequence between Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega at the Jack Rabbit Slims restaurant, set to the rhythm of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell,” is undeniably one of the most iconic scenes in Pulp Fiction (Credit: Miramax Films)

In what has become one of Tarantino’s most iconic scenes, Mia Wallace and hitman Vincent Vega get up on stage at the fictional Jack Rabbit Slims restaurant and perform the twist during a dance competition.

Although Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell” played during the Jack Rabbit Slim’s Twist Contest scene in Pulp Fiction, Uma Thurman didn’t like the song.

She expressed her opinion to Quentin Tarantino, stating that it didn’t sound right. However, Tarantino reassured her, saying, “Trust me, it’s perfect.”

Samuel L. Jackson (as Jules Winnfield), John Travolta (as Vincent Vega), Bruce Willis (as Butch Coolidge), Uma Thurman (seated as Mia Wallace) in Pulp Fiction (1994) (Credit: Miramax Films)

“I was more afraid of the dancing than almost anything because it was exactly to my total insecurity,” Thurman said during a keynote speech at France’s Series Mania Festival.

“Being big and awkward and still quite young then. But once I started dancing I didn’t wanna stop, so it was a dream come true.”

John Travolta and Uma Thurman also starred as Chili Palmer and Edie Athens in the film comedy Be Cool (Credit: Miramax Films)

According to Vanity Fair, Thurman was nervous about the dance number because she “was so awkward and embarrassed and shy.”

“Quentin Tarantino recommended the Twist. And I said, ‘Well, Little Johnny Travolta won the Twist contest when I was eight years old, so I know every version,” John Travolta said and promised to teach his co-star Uma.

“I said, ‘There was the Batman, the Hitchhiker, the Swim, as well as the Twist.’ And I showed them to him, and he loved them. I said, ‘I’ll teach Uma [Thurman] the steps, and when you want to see a different step, call it out,’” he recalled.

Part of the dance sequence featuring John Travolta’s character Vince and Uma Thurman’s character Mia in Jack Rabbit Slim’s was meticulously replicated from the dance performed by Barbara Steele’s character Gloria Morin and Mario Pisu’s character Mario Mezzabotta in Fellini’s 8½ (1963). The movements were copied exactly, step by step.

Uma Thurman exuded timeless elegance in a black Christian Dior Fall 2019 midi dress paired with classic black pumps at the 2020 National Board of Review Gala in New York City on January 8, 2020 (Credit: Jeff Grossman / WENN / Cover)

While Uma Thurman embraced a sleek, modern black ensemble for the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival, she’s no stranger to honoring timeless fashion icons. Years earlier, she paid tribute to legendary shoe designer Manolo Blahnik with an effortlessly elegant appearance.

Uma Thurman Honors Manolo Blahnik in Classic Style

In September 2015, Uma Thurman attended the 2015 Couture Council Luncheon honoring Manolo Blahnik at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.

She took to the stage to present the Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion to the Spanish designer for his longstanding dedication to craftsmanship and innovative design.

Uma Thurman attends the 2015 Couture Council Awards Luncheon honoring Manolo Blahnik held at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City on September 9, 2015 (Credit: Jeff Grossman / WENN / Cover)

The then-45-year-old actress wore a classic look, accentuating her slender frame in a simple black dress with three-quarter sleeves and a hem that fell just a little below her knees.

Uma Thurman wears a simple black dress as she poses against a green backdrop (Credit: Jeff Grossman / WENN / Cover)

She kept everything simple by pairing the dress with black Manolo Blahnik sandals. The American actress/model pulled her hair back into a wispy ponytail and wore barely-there makeup.

Uma Thurman shows off her unpolished toes in a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels (Credit: Jeff Grossman / WENN / Cover)

Uma’s black satin Manolo Blahnik heels added a touch of luxe to her classy, minimalist look, featuring unique ankle straps adorned with pearls, rhinestone details, lobster clasp closures, thin toe bands, and approximately 3.5-inch covered heels that subtly enhanced her statuesque 5ft 11¼ (181 cm) height.

These Manolo Blahnik sandals can be purchased at Farfetch and Nordstrom.

Black satin Manolo Blahnik Chaos sandals with tonal stitching, covered heels, and lobster clasp closure at faux pearl ankle straps

Manolo Blahnik satin evening sandal featuring a pearly-bead ankle strap with rhinestone detail

Manolo Blahnik Chaos Pearly Ankle-Wrap Sandals, $865

Stepping Out in Style: Uma Thurman’s Iconic Shoe Moments

Uma Thurman has consistently turned heads with her impeccable fashion sense and standout footwear choices. Here are some of her most memorable shoe moments:

Uma Thurman’s Feathered Jimmy Choo Sandals at the 2016 Met Gala

• Event: 2016 Met Gala – Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology
• Outfit: Uma dazzled in an ivory Tommy Hilfiger gown featuring a thigh-high slit and a crystal-encrusted bird on her shoulder.
• Footwear: She completed the look with Jimmy Choo “Vivien” sandals adorned with delicate ostrich feather bows.
• Read more: Uma Thurman’s stunning appearance at the 2016 Met Gala

Uma Thurman Shines in Christian Louboutin’s ‘Blakissima’ Sandals at Cannes

• Event: 70th Cannes Film Festival Opening Gala
• Outfit: Uma turned heads in a dusty pink off-the-shoulder Atelier Versace gown that highlighted her curves.
• Footwear: She added a touch of romance with Christian Louboutin’s “Blakissima” sandals featuring bow details.
• See more: Uma Thurman’s elegant look at Cannes Film Festival

Uma Thurman made a bold statement at the 76th Annual Academy Awards on February 29, 2004, wearing an intricate Christian Lacroix gown styled with metallic gold strappy heels at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood (Credit: AMPAS)

Uma Thurman Embraces ’20s Glamour with Jimmy Choo ‘Lance’ Sandals

• Event: 70th Cannes Film Festival Closing Night
• Outfit: Uma channeled 1920s vibes in a golden fringed Versace flapper dress.
• Footwear: She paired the ensemble with metallic Jimmy Choo “Lance” sandals, adding a modern twist to the vintage look.
• Discover more: Uma Thurman’s flapper-inspired style at Cannes

Uma Thurman’s Casual Chic with White Prada Sneakers

• Event: Appearance on ‘The View’ to promote ‘Room to Grow’
• Outfit: Uma kept it casual yet stylish with a relaxed ensemble.
• Footwear: She opted for pristine white Prada sneakers, adding a fresh touch to her look.
• Explore her style: Uma Thurman’s chic appearance on ‘The View’

These moments showcase Uma Thurman’s versatility and her ability to make a statement with her footwear choices, whether on the red carpet or in casual settings.