All the Cameos You Might Have Missed in House Party

7 minute read

One of the key elements of any great house party is its guest list, which might explain why there’s no shortage of big name cameos in the new movie, House Party. The film, which releases in theaters on Friday, is a reimagining of the cult classic 1990 film of the same name, which starred rap duo Kid ‘n Play as high schoolers throwing a party while their parents are gone. While the original film and its multiple sequels always had its fair share of buzzy cameos, the 2023 remake—which stars Tosin Cole and Jacob Latimore as best friends Damon and Kevin, two aspiring party promoters who are throwing a blowout bash at LeBron James‘ Los Angeles mansion—has stacked the cast with a dizzying number of famous faces that range from rapper Snoop Dogg to James himself (probably inevitable, considering the basketball star also produced the film).

Like any true L.A. soirée, there are plenty of A-listers that make the rounds at this house party, running the gamut from actor and screenwriter Lena Waithe to entrepreneur Mark Cuban. The most special cameo of the film, however, might be the brief appearance of the original franchise stars, Kid ‘n Play, who steal the show in a zany party scene that won’t soon be forgotten.

Here are all the cameos you might have missed in House Party.

Kid Cudi

Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi attends Critics Choice Association’s 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on Dec. 5, 2022.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi attends Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)Getty Images for Critics Choice—2022 Getty Images

The rapper and actor Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi has a significant role in the film, playing a hyperbolic version of himself, alternately helping and hindering the party hosts throughout an action-packed night. While many people may associate him most with his music, Cudi has been flexing his acting chops for over a decade on both the big screen and television, appearing in projects like Luca Guadagnino’s drama series We Are Who We Are and even creating and starring in his own animated Netflix series, Entergalactic.

Walter Emanuel Jones

Walter Emanuel Jones attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Walter Emanuel Jones attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

Walter Emanuel Jones rose to prominence playing Zach Taylor, the original Black Power Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, a role that he cheekily references during his scene in House Party. During his appearance in the film, Jones, who plays himself, pokes fun at the role as partygoers recognize him.

Tinashe

Tinashe attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Tinashe attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

Singer Tinashe has one of the most memorable cameos in the film. Playing herself, she instigates an epic dance-off in the middle of the party, which results in her recruiting Kevin’s love interest, Venus (played by Karen Obilom) to be a dancer for her upcoming tour.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe arrives for the gala screening of I Want To Dance With Somebody at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Dec. 19, 2022.
Lena Waithe arrives for the gala screening of I Want To Dance With Somebody at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. Picture date: Monday December 19, 2022. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)PA Images via Getty Images—PA Wire/PA Images

In one of the wackier scenes during the party, Lena Waithe, playing herself, is spotted in the pool house of James’ mansion, where she brainstorms ideas for a new project while smoking weed with a koala bear. While the scene is understandably absurd, we’d welcome seeing her stoned pitch come to fruition.

Read more: Lena Waithe: How Black Artists Are Redefining Hollywood

Karrueche Tran

Karrueche Tran attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Karrueche Tran attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

Claws star Karrueche Tran is a native Angeleno, so her cameo as herself at this house party, just makes sense. Tran appears in a scene where the party’s DJ, Vic (played by DC Young Fly), is so under the influence, he can no longer play music.

Mýa

Mya visits the SiriusXM Studios in New York City on July 11, 2019.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 11: Mya visits the SiriusXM Studios on July 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)Getty Images—2019 Noam Galai

In the film, protagonist Damon harbors a longtime celebrity crush on the singer and dancer Mýa. He finally gets to shoot his shot after he invites her to his house party (with a little help from LeBron James’ address book), where she appears, as herself.

Read More: House Party Stars Kid ‘n Play on Reuniting in a Reboot of the ’90s Classic

Big Sean

Big Sean attends Black Entrepreneurs Day hosted by Daymond John at The Apollo Theater in New York City on Oct. 22, 2022.
Big Sean attends Black Entrepreneurs Day hosted by Daymond John at The Apollo Theater in New York City on Oct. 22, 2022.Johnny Nunez—WireImage/Getty Images

The rapper Big Sean appears as himself in the film and is instrumental in helping the protagonist Kevin find a new career. After hearing Kevin’s beats play at the party, Big Sean hires him to produce beats for his music, ensuring that Kevin can provide for himself and his daughter.

Hit-Boy

Hit-Boy attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Hit-Boy attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

Producer Hit-Boy has made music with the likes of Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Drake, so it’s no wonder that Kevin, an aspiring music producer, is nervous to play his music in front of him at the party. While Hit-Boy, who appears as himself, is not initially impressed with Kevin’s beats, he later works with Kevin and Big Sean.

Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. looks on during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat at FTX Arena in Miami on Dec. 28, 2022.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 28: Odell Beckham Jr. looks on during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat at FTX Arena on December 28, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Getty Images—2022 Megan Briggs

NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. appears as himself in a scene at the raucous party, where he’s cautioned against dancing lest he injure himself before the football season starts. It’s not the first time that Beckham has had an acting role as himself; he also made an appearance as himself for the television show, Ballers.

Juvenile

Juvenile performs at Old Forester's Paristown Hall in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 25, 2021.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 25: Juvenile performs at Old Forester's Paristown Hall on September 25, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)Getty Images—2021 Stephen J. Cohen

Early on in the film, Venus makes reference to an uncle who lives in New Orleans and makes music; it later turns out that her uncle is none other than the rapper, Juvenile, who makes a surprise appearance as himself at the party, where he performs “Back That Azz Up,” to an extremely enthusiastic crowd.

Read more: The Politics of Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne performs at the Amazon Music Live Concert Series in Los Angeles on Nov. 17, 2022.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17: Lil Wayne performs at the Amazon Music Live Concert Series on November 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Amazon Music)Getty Images for Amazon Music—2022 Jerritt Clark

Lil Wayne makes the briefest of appearances in the film, playing himself; in the scene, he assesses the severity of a party foul that involves Odell Beckham Jr.

Tristan Thompson

Tristan Thompson watches the Giveon concert from the side of the main stage during Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in London on July 08, 2022.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 08: Tristan Thompson watches the Giveon concert from the side of the main stage during Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park on July 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)WireImage—2022 Joseph Okpako

With the premise being a party being thrown at his former teammate’s mansion, perhaps it should come as no surprise that NBA player Tristan Thompson would make an appearance in the film. Thompson, who won an NBA championship with LeBron James in 2016 while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, makes his cameo in a scene where a security guard mistakes his championship ring for LeBron’s ring, which has gone missing at the party.

Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Mark Cuban attends the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

Billionaire tech entrepreneur Mark Cuban appears as himself in a scene that pokes fun at the myth of the Illuminati. In the film, Kid Cudi’s character takes Kevin and Damon to another party, this one thrown by the Illuminati, where Kevin attempts to pitch Cuban, Shark Tank-style, while mingling with other guests.

Kid ‘n Play

Christopher Reid Christopher Martin of Kid 'n Play attend the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema’s “House Party” at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2023.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: (L-R) Christopher Reid Christopher Martin of Kid 'n Play attend the Special Red Carpet Screening for New Line Cinema's "House Party" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres on January 11, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Getty Images

The stars of the original House Party movie make a brief, but memorable cameo in the 2023 remake at the Illuminati party, where they are recognized by Kevin and Damon. In addition to the first House Party movie, the rap duo also starred in two of the franchise’s sequels and appeared on the television show, Martin.

Read more: LeBron James Plans to Take Over Hollywood

LeBron James

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Jan. 7, 2023.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on January 07, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)Getty Images—2023 Lachlan Cunningham

The mythology surrounding King James looms large over this film, as not only a producer and co-star in the film, but especially because the movie’s premise revolves around a rowdy house party thrown in James’ L.A. mansion while he’s away on a meditation retreat. While James has shown off some serious comedic chops in movies like Trainwreck, in House Party, he plays a straight man version of himself, understandably peeved when he comes home to an unauthorized house party in his mansion, but not so annoyed that he can’t obliterate Damon’s ego in a game of one-on-one.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg performs at the 2022 LA3C Festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park on Dec. 10, 2022.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Snoop Dogg performs at the 2022 LA3C Festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park on December 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sarah Morris/Getty Images)Getty Images—2022 Sarah Morris

As everyone’s favorite party guest, perhaps it should come as no surprise that Snoop Dogg would make a cameo in House Party. The Doggfather appears in a scene where LeBron, after registering the surprise of a house party at his home during his absence, admonishes Snoop for smoking indoors.

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Jan. 7, 2023 in Sacramento, Calif.
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on Jan. 7, 2023 in Sacramento, Calif.Lachlan Cunningham—Getty Images

Anthony Davis’ close friendship with LeBron is well-established; not only did James help the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Davis in 2019, but he was also featured prominently in James’ first SpringHill Company production, Space Jam: A New Legacy, where he was part of the Goon Squad.

Druski

Druski attends the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Aug. 28, 2022.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 28: Druski attends the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 28, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)Patrick McMullan via Getty Image—2022 Patrick McMullan

Comedian and internet personality Drew “Druski” Desbordes makes a small but significant cameo towards the end of the film. After LeBron shows up to his party-wrecked house, Desbordes is one of the revelers who greets him at his front door.

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Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com