Uma Thurman reunited with her Pulp Fiction co-stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Harvey Keitel on Thursday 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. But if you like Uma’s Rabanne belt, you can get it for $428.75 (from $535.94) at Giglio.
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 black pedicure, which was done by Yoko Sakakura. The sandals are very minimalist, featuring slim thong and ankle straps.
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.
Makeup artist Shayna Gold probably had no trouble beautifying the actress’ appearance; she just gave her features a dab of soft pink blush, lipstick, and mascara.
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)