The 2012 musical comedy Pitch Perfect was a surprise hit, captivating audiences with its innovative a cappella music and sharp humor. Yet, the film’s biggest breakout moment—the global, triple-platinum sensation “Cups”—was not originally in the script. It was a risky, inspired improvisation by actress Anna Kendrick, who introduced a viral internet trick directly into her audition for the role of Beca Mitchell.
The Reddit Discovery and The Audition Gamble
The original script for the film called for Kendrick’s character, the quirky Beca Mitchell, to audition for the Barden Bellas by singing the simple children’s song, “I’m a Little Teapot.” Kendrick, however, was determined to capture Beca’s unconventional spirit and her disdain for standard show tunes.
Kendrick revealed she had spent an afternoon learning the rhythmic routine known as the “Cup Game,” a performance she had seen online. The rhythmic percussion, performed using a plastic cup, was paired with the folk song “When I’m Gone.” The song itself originated with the Carter Family in 1931, but the version featuring the cup routine was popularized by a video from British musicians Lulu and the Lampshades, which had gained traction after being posted on Reddit.
When asked to demonstrate her singing ability for the producers, Kendrick decided to take a gamble. Instead of the planned nursery rhyme, she performed the entire “Cups” song and rhythm. The performance was so unique and captivating that the film’s producers immediately recognized its commercial and creative potential. They scrapped the original idea and wrote the scene directly into the movie, making it a defining element of Beca’s character.
Data Points on a Triple-Platinum Global Hit
The song, “Cups (Pitch Perfect’s When I’m Gone),” transcended the movie soundtrack and became a cultural phenomenon.
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Commercial Certification: The single achieved massive global success. In the United States alone, the song earned Triple-Platinum status, certifying over 2.5 million downloads sold. It was similarly certified in other markets, including 5x Platinum in Canada and 4x Platinum in Australia.
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Billboard Success: Despite its folk-pop track from a comedy film, the song enjoyed an astonishing run on the charts. It peaked at Number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, ultimately spending an impressive 44 weeks on the chart. It also hit Number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
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Cultural Phenomenon: The performance sparked a global trend. Countless videos of fans attempting the cup routine were uploaded to the internet, creating a massive, organic marketing campaign for the film and even leading to a world record being set for the most people performing the song simultaneously.
Anna Kendrick’s audacious choice to bring a viral internet trick into her audition not only secured her the role of Beca Mitchell but single-handedly created one of the most successful and imitated musical moments of the decade.