The real Erin Gruwell honors Hillary Swank for saying that she doesn't care about the money. She took a very sizable pay cut to do the film.
The "Toast for Change" scene in the movie Freedom Writers did happen. Like in the film, Erin Gruwell gave each of her students a plastic champagne glass filled with apple cider. During their toasts, they all agreed to provide themselves the chance to start life over.
Based on the book called "The Freedom Writers Diary" by Erin Gruwell and the kids of Wilson High.
The real Erin Gruwell was very excited when she heard that Hillary Swank was going to play her.
Hilary Swank beat out her co-star in this movie, Imelda Staunton, for the 2005 Oscar for Best Actress.