Well, SMG has always been widely known and popular because of the amount of movies she's done. It's not as if though The Grudge is her first film (nor best, ahem).

Christopher | November 02, 06:01 CET

She already hosted the 2002 MTV Movie Awards, which I would consider a bigger deal since I don't think I've ever heard of the Women of the Year Awards. So I don't think this really had much to do with the Grudge.

lalaa | November 02, 07:33 CET

I don't think the Grudge had much to do with this. But I have to disagree with you Christopher, The Grudge is Sarah's best film where she isn't the best actor. If you want a Sarah film, where she's the best actor, it's Cruel Intentions and eh---I've confused myself again.

BurkleFreak | November 02, 07:38 CET

I was referring to the "one of America's favorite stars" line. I don't think hosting this is a big deal for her career.

dreamlogic | November 02, 07:53 CET

Her profile was already large, without being made bigger by The Grudge. This is her fourth #1 hit.

Gonnas | November 02, 16:44 CET

Yeah, I have to agree that she was already big before "The Grudge" and already had an enormous fan following. It's because of that enormous fan following that "The Grudge" did so well. Also, the fact the article doesn't even mention "The Grudge" is an indication that it's not based on her doing well in that movie. BtVS is what made her a huge star.

Firefly Flanatic | November 02, 16:49 CET

I thought these things were scheduled way ahead of time, that is, way before 'The Grudge' came out so I am not sure 'The Grudge's' success would have had any effect on SMG's selection for this.

catalyst2 | November 02, 16:51 CET

Did anyone else see the intro that SMG did for the ABC College Football Game Day this past Saturday? Kind of on a candle-lit set. Finished with the line "do you have a grudge?" Thought I might be hallucinating… but my husband looked up and said, "hey it's Buffy"

Amber | November 02, 18:15 CET

Who was better than SMG in The Grudge? I thought she did a lot better in Creul Intentions and its a better movie all around, IMO, but I don't think anyone out acted her in The Grudge.

Spikecam21 | November 02, 19:11 CET

I also think Sarah was great in The Grudge. It wasn't a lot of screen time but each scene she was in, she did a great job. I particularly liked the scene with her and Bill Pulman and thought they both were great in that. Her role in Cruel Intentions was a much larger role (meaning much more screen time) and she was also excellent in that.

Firefly Flanatic | November 02, 21:47 CET

The ghost outshowed her :P. And The Grudge just happens to be Sarah's first number 1 where she's the main character. She was part of numerous main characters in the Scooby Doo films, and in Cruel Intentions. And if I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream 2 count in those #1 hits. She was not a main character in either of those films. So, the Grudge is such a success for her career, cause this is the first film she has gotten first billing for and is the main star without being part of huge cast of main characters.

BurkleFreak | November 02, 23:17 CET