‘Miss Congeniality’ Actress Heather Burns Wants a Third Film

Heather Burns is interested in competing for the “Miss Congeniality” crown again for a third time. 

In an interview with People during the premiere of her latest film, “The Best You Can” at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, Burns spoke about her interest in a third “Miss Congeniality’ film. “I would love it. That was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Burns, who played Cheryl Frasier in the film, known as Miss Rhode Island in the pageant. She added, “It was so much fun making both of those films. I’m actually here with one of the other actresses. Melissa De Sousa, she played Miss New York, she’s my date tonight, which is wonderful.”

Even though it’s been 25 years since the first “Miss Congeniality” film hit theaters, certain cast members stayed in touch after filming. “I made lifelong friends with Sandra Bullock,” said Burns. “It’s just a dream. So yes, a third [movie], I would jump at it.” After working on “Miss Congeniality” in 1999, Bullock and Burns worked together on “Two Weeks Later,” a romantic comedy.

Burns’ latest film, “The Best You Can,” which stars Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Brittany O’Grady and Judd Hirsch follows “two halves of an unlikely friendship between a security guard and a urologist whose chance encounter blooms into something deeper.” Burns expressed her excitement about the film, and how the story drew her in. 

“I loved the script, first and foremost. I love these kinds of films. I guess I would call it a dramedy. It was beautiful. I was moved by it,” Burns said. “I just thought it would be amazing to get to work with Kyra, and I’ve worshiped Judd Hirsch my whole life. I grew up watching ‘Taxi,’ and Kevin Bacon as well. So I just was thrilled to be a part of it.”