Melissa McCarthy & Lauren Graham Are Still Gorgeous Nearly 20 Years After Gilmore Girls – The List

“Gilmore Girls” might’ve centered on Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), but it wouldn’t have been the same without quirky chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy). Lorelai and Sookie were best friends and business partners, sharing some of the funniest scenes and wittiest banter in the iconic early ’00s show. The women were together through pregnancy, childbirth, engagements, wedding planning, breakups, and the everyday chaos of life in Stars Hollow. They were a perfectly imperfect example of women friendships that we still cherish upon every re-watch. Now, nearly 20 years after “Gilmore Girls” was cancelled in 2007, McCarthy has reunited with her on-screen bestie, and the two women are still as gorgeous as ever.

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McCarthy and Graham posed together at Variety’s 2026 Power of Women event on September 23, 2026. McCarthy has had a stunning transformation over the years, and she looked beautiful in a long-sleeve black dress covered in shimmery sparkles. She wore her hair in a sleek ponytail with silver hoop earrings as she smiled next to Graham. As for Graham, she looks absolutely amazing, too. She wore a bold, one-shoulder red dress with a black clutch purse and matching heels that was even nicer than what Lorelai would wear to Friday night dinner at Richard and Emily Gilmore’s house.

This duo may be two decades older than when they graced our screens, but it doesn’t look like a day has passed. They are so glamorous, and we love seeing them back together. In the words of Sookie, “Am I laughing or crying?” (Definitely both!)

Seeing a strong female friendship on TV is wonderful, but it’s even better to see the same women connect off-screen. Melissa McCarthy and Lauren Graham have done both. Even though McCarthy can’t even watch “Gilmore Girls,” she’s still besties with her former co-star — and their friendship just may be more beautiful than they are.

At Variety’s 2026 Power of Women, Graham presented an award to McCarthy, who was honored for her TV and film work. She confirmed that their friendship has continued since their “Gilmore Girls” days. “I met Melissa playing her pretend friend on Gilmore Girls, and we got to become friends in real life,” Graham said in her speech (via People). So sweet! 

McCarthy wrote a sweet tribute to her longtime friend on September 24, 2026, where she commented on the fact that the duo hasn’t seemed to age. (We couldn’t agree more.) “I’ve been lucky enough to love and hug @laurengraham for almost half my life which feels impossible because we both look exactly the same!!” McCarthy wrote on Instagram. “What a gift it’s been.” McCarthy added, “Thank you for last night LG, and all the years in between.” The years have definitely been good to them!