UK Alum’s Book to be Developed Into a Movie

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 31, 2014) — “The Queen of Kentucky” by University of Kentucky alumna Alecia Whitaker has received a development deal to be made into a movie by David Permut’s Permut Presentations and Unbridled Films. The deal was made public by Variety.

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Book trailer video of "The Queen of Kentucky."

Inspired by Whitaker’s own experiences growing up in Kentucky, “The Queen of Kentucky” follows the life of 14-year-old Kentucky girl Ricki Jo Winstead, who decides to reinvent herself as Ericka as she enters public high school. The farmer’s daughter sets out to shed her roots and join the popular crowd. Caught between being a country girl and a wannabe country club girl, Ricki Jo begins to forget who she truly is, and it takes a serious incident involving an old friend to snap her back to reality.

“The Queen of Kentucky” was first published in 2012 by Poppy, which is known for paperback original series for teens including the national bestselling series “Gossip Girl.”

Adapting the novel is Katie Ford, writer of Sandra Bullock’s “Miss Congeniality” and co-creator of NBC’s new sitcom “Working the Engles.”

Whitaker, a native of Cynthiana, Kentucky, is a 2002 UK graduate who holds a bachelor's degree in theatre and integrated strategic communication. An actress, as well as a writer, she has performed in the New York City Fringe Festival and several commercials. Whitaker currently resides in New York City with her husband, Jerrod Lee Pace, a fellow UK graduate from Corbin, Kentucky, who holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, and their two sons.

In early July, Whitaker's second book, “Wildflower,” was released. The book is the first novel in a three book series about a young girl’s rise to country music stardom.

For information about Whitaker or ways to purchase her novels visit www.aleciawhitaker.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu