Noah Beck, the popular social media star with more than 32 billion views on TikTok, is taking his next big leap – acting. With his recent debut film, Sidelined: The QB and Me, hitting the streaming platform Tubi, Beck dives headfirst onto the screen, stepping out of his comfort zone of short clips and viral dances. Beck, who craved more collaborative creative outlets after finding success through social media, now stars alongside familiar faces like James Van Der Beek and Deborah Cox.
Directed by Justin Wu, Sidelined: The QB and Me is inspired by Tay Marley’s popular Wattpad novel, The QB Bad Boy and Me. And it also marks Agudong’s first lead role, taking the spotlight as the headstrong dancer Dallas Bryan, who finds herself tangled up with Beck’s cocky quarterback character, Drayton Lahey. The film released on November 29, promising the vibrant energy and romantic conflicts typical of high school coming-of-age stories but with new twists.
The storyline unfurls around Dallas and Drayton, two seniors who struggle against their budding feelings for each other. They face not just the usual high school pressures but also post-graduation uncertainties and family drama which threatens to keep them apart. With the allure of football, dance, and youthful worries, viewers can expect the classic jock-meets-cheerleader dynamic deeply rooted in high school literature.
Catch the vibe of this project, and it's clear to see why Beck was drawn to it. “I read the book and was like, 'Okay, the book and the script are slightly different, but they're obviously the same story.' I fell in love with it. We’ve seen this story before with the jock-cheerleader kind of dynamic, and I’ve always wanted to play the jock,” Beck explained, enthusiastic about portraying Drayton.
Agudong, too, is on cloud nine about this opportunity. She mentioned how she felt blessed to land the role but never expected to lead such a film — especially one falling squarely within the romantic comedy genre. “I was genuinely surprised,” she told Teen Vogue. “I had never played a love interest before, and there were lots of opportunities for growth.”
The collaboration aspect was monumental for both Beck and Agudong. Pulling away from their digital fame, they found real camaraderie on the set. “It was surreal when [the movie] first fell onto my lap. I’ve been with this from the beginning and kind of been part of the developmental process,” Beck said. This sentiment fully paralleled Agudong’s experience as she thought back to her audition days. “I heard of this project two years ago, and I really lucked out. I feel very blessed for it,” she told reporters.
Both actors expressed their nerves, something many might not expect from social media stars who spend day-to-day on camera. Both acknowledged the pressure of translating their presence from social media to film. Beck noted his preemptive worries about acting, his concept of playing the jock felt real as he expressed, "I was like, 'Oh my God, how am I going to do this?'" Agudong felt similarly startled, saying, “It was scary but exciting. And I knew I would grow from it since the vulnerability required makes for great opportunities.”
Preparation played its part, too. Beck mentioned his guesswork involved knowing everyone’s lines, not just his own. “Because I was with the script for so long, I just knew it like the back of my hand. And that's something I will take with me moving forward.” When filming is combined with so many fresh concepts like love and loss, he related to the emotions behind the camera. Beck found excitement from learning about set pieces, calling it like “summer camp,” as he described collaborating with his new friends.
Agudong echoed this collaborative spirit, grateful for the insights Beck provided. Watching his commitment to growth made her want to mirror it. “I just adore him. He was so fun to work with,” she confessed, admitting to being intimidated at first. “We just connected on an emotional level; we were both feeling similar fears.”
Despite both stars feeling the nerves of first-time leading roles, the chemistry they cultivated helped ease their dreams of portraying Dallas and Drayton on screen. Their pivotal roles connected through dialogues filled with witty banter, typical of high school romantic comedies, played out beautifully against the film’s backdrop.
With the vibrant series of emotional twists and turns bookending the romance-filled narrative, Sidelined: The QB and Me warmly welcomes viewers to the uncertainties of youth and the thrills of falling for someone unexpected. Ready for something fresh yet nostalgic? Beck and Agudong certainly deliver, satisfying the hearts of those yearning for light-hearted yet relatable storytelling.
This film marks just the beginning for Beck and Agudong. With their footing firmly planted within the acting industry, it wouldn't be surprising to see more works from the next generation of stars now gracing screens beyond just social media.
