Work It

How Netflix’s Work It Turned Sabrina Carpenter and Liza Koshy Into Dance-Floor BFFs

Netflix’s 2020 dance comedy Work It didn’t just deliver high-energy choreography—it also gave audiences a peek into the off-screen chemistry between its leads, Sabrina Carpenter and Liza Koshy. The film, directed by Laura Terruso, follows Quinn Ackerman (Carpenter), a high-achieving teen who fakes her way into an elite dance crew to impress a college recruiter. Along the way, she teams up with Jasmine Hale (Koshy), a street-smart dancer with a rebellious streak. While the movie’s plot is pure teen-movie fantasy, latestnetflix.com argues, the real-life friendship between its stars became one of its most talked-about takeaways.

From Co-Stars to Ride-or-Die Friends

Before Work It hit Netflix, Carpenter and Koshy were already social media darlings—Carpenter as a Disney Channel alum and pop singer, Koshy as a YouTube sensation with a knack for viral comedy. But their on-screen partnership in the film reportedly blossomed into a genuine bond. In interviews, both stars gushed about their instant connection, with Koshy calling Carpenter her "soul sister" and Carpenter praising Koshy’s infectious energy . Their off-set antics, from impromptu dance battles to late-night chats, became the stuff of behind-the-scenes lore.

The duo’s friendship wasn’t just for the cameras. In a POPSUGAR interview, Carpenter and co-star Jordan Fisher revealed that Koshy’s playful personality kept the set lively, even during grueling dance rehearsals. "Liza is the kind of person who makes you laugh until your stomach hurts," Carpenter said, hinting at the unscripted moments that made filming feel more like a sleepover than a job . Koshy, for her part, credited Carpenter’s work ethic for pushing her to take dance more seriously—a skill she’d later lean into for her own projects .

The Cast’s Real-Life Drama (and Lack Thereof)

Unlike many teen movies that thrive on on-set tension, Work It’s cast seemed to avoid the usual Hollywood drama. Most of the chatter focused on their camaraderie rather than clashing egos. Jordan Fisher, who played Quinn’s love interest Jake Taylor, was another standout in the friendship department. In a The Hollywood Reporter interview, Fisher, Carpenter, and Koshy described the set as a "judgment-free zone," where even the most complex dance routines felt like a group effort .

That said, not every detail was sunshine and rainbows. Rumors swirled about the cast’s real ages compared to their characters—Quinn and Jasmine are supposed to be high school seniors, but Carpenter was 20, Koshy was 24, and Fisher was 25 during filming . While the age gap isn’t unusual for teen movies, it did spark some online debate about Hollywood’s habit of casting adults in high school roles.

The Music and Choreography: A Labor of Love

Work It’s soundtrack and dance sequences were a major selling point, and the cast’s dedication to nailing the moves paid off. Carpenter, who has a background in music (her discography includes multiple albums and singles ), contributed to the film’s musical energy, though the evidence doesn’t specify if she performed any of the songs on-screen. The choreography, meanwhile, was a mix of hip-hop, contemporary, and competitive dance styles, designed to showcase the cast’s versatility.

Behind the scenes, the dance rehearsals were intense. In a POPSUGAR pop quiz, Carpenter and Fisher revealed that they trained for weeks before filming, with some sequences requiring multiple takes to perfect . Koshy, who had less formal dance experience than her co-stars, admitted to leaning on Carpenter and Fisher for guidance—a dynamic that mirrored their characters’ mentor-mentee relationship in the film .

The Verdict: A Fun, If Forgettable, Dance Flick

Critically, Work It landed in the "harmless fun" category. Reviewers praised its energetic performances and feel-good vibes but noted its predictable plot . On SensCritique, the film holds a modest 5.3/10 rating, with some viewers calling it a "guilty pleasure" rather than a must-watch . Still, for fans of Carpenter and Koshy, the movie’s real appeal was its glimpse into their off-screen friendship—a dynamic that felt more authentic than the scripted drama.

If there’s one takeaway from Work It, it’s that the cast’s chemistry was the secret sauce. Whether they were nailing a complicated lift or cracking each other up between takes, Carpenter, Koshy, and the rest of the crew made the film feel like a celebration of friendship—and for a 93-minute dance comedy, that’s no small feat.