Monte Carlo 2011

Grace Bennett, portrayed by Selena Gomez, is a high school student from Texas who juggles her waitressing job alongside her best friend Emma Perkins, played by Katie Cassidy. The duo has been saving for an exciting trip to Paris following their graduation, a dream that Grace has nurtured for four years. However, to ensure that they remain safe and connected, Grace’s stepfather, Robert, along with her mother, Pamela, decides to send along Grace’s stepsister, Meg Kelly, portrayed by Leighton Meester, as a chaperone. While this arrangement is intended to foster a bond between the sisters, Meg is less than thrilled about the surprise responsibility.

Grace holds resentment towards Meg, who frequently undermines her through public humiliation. This complex dynamic is intensified by their parents’ insistence that Meg needs this trip to rediscover joy after their mother’s passing, as Paris had been her favorite getaway. Emma, despite her boyfriend Owen’s heartfelt proposal, is determined to embrace this opportunity, longing for her first adventure beyond Texas.

Upon arriving in Paris, the trio quickly discovers that their whirlwind tour is overly packed, with visits to renowned sites like the Louvre limited to a mere 20 minutes. The challenges they face multiply as Emma’s fashionable yet cumbersome 4-inch heels become a source of discomfort. In stark contrast, the hotel they are assigned is rather basic, serving food that lacks authenticity. As Meg vocalizes her dissatisfaction, Grace remains resolute, refusing to let her sister dampen their spirits.

While navigating the city, Meg crosses paths with Riley, a charming Australian backpacker, stirring feelings of attraction. An unexpected turn of events occurs when the girls get stranded at the Eiffel Tower—due to their prolonged stay at the top, they miss their tour bus. Seeking shelter from the rain, they accidentally get mistaken for the glamorous British heiress, Cordelia Winthrop-Scott. This twist leads to a clever scheme where Grace poses as Cordelia for a night of luxury in the heiress’s suite.

As they navigate the consequences of this impersonation, including a private flight to Monte Carlo, the girls find themselves caught in a world of high society, where they encounter Theo Marchand, a handsome individual played by Pierre Boulanger, and soon learn of Cordelia’s reputation as a scandalous socialite. In their desperate attempts to maintain the ruse, Grace ends up at a charity ball where she dazzles everyone, including Cordelia’s aunt, Alicia, who is unaware of the deception.

Tensions arise when personal differences lead to a confrontation between Emma and Meg. Meanwhile, Riley’s compelling backstory and zest for life draws Meg in further, creating complicated feelings amongst the group. The implications of their masquerade escalate as both Cordelia and Owen arrive, leading to a hilarious yet suspenseful finale where Grace’s honesty at the charity auction prompts an unexpected turn of events.

In the end, new beginnings bloom for all: Meg embarks on a global adventure with Riley, Emma and Owen build a home together back in Texas, and a romantic connection forms between Grace and Theo at a charity event in Romania, proving that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones that lead you back to yourself.