Drake's 'Degrassi' Confession: Superstar Reveals First Kiss in New Documentary

Max Sterling, 8/28/2025From awkward first kisses to global superstardom, "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes" dishes the dirt on TV's most authentic teen drama. This TIFF-bound doc reveals how a plucky Canadian series turned real teenage angst into cultural gold, with a pre-fame Drake among its constellation of confessing alums.

Set to debut at TIFF's milestone 50th edition this September, the documentary peels back the curtain on what might be Canada's most influential cultural export. Sure, that's a bold claim — but anyone who grew up watching Degrassi knows it's not just hyperbole.

The show's impact runs deeper than most people realize. Before streaming wars and TikTok fame changed the game, Degrassi was quietly revolutionizing how television approached teenage life. Director Lisa Rideout doesn't just tell us this — she shows us through a masterful weaving of archival footage and surprisingly candid interviews.

Drake's confession about his high school struggles hits differently now, doesn't it? "I just didn't really fit in," he admits, describing the life-changing call that landed him the role of Jimmy Brooks. Twenty years later, it's almost surreal to think about that awkward teenager transforming into one of music's biggest stars.

But Degrassi was never about creating celebrities. The documentary assembles an impressive roster of alumni — some famous, others less so — who paint a picture of a show that dared to be different. Stefan Brogren's journey from playing "Snake" to becoming the school's principal mirrors the show's own evolution. It's the kind of detail that makes you appreciate the franchise's remarkable 40-year run even more.

Producer Carrie Mudd nails it when she calls the show "a time capsule of growing up." The documentary doesn't shy away from the messier aspects either — the pressure of tackling controversial subjects, the personal costs for young actors, the behind-the-scenes tensions that came with pushing boundaries in the early 2025 media landscape.

Here's what makes Degrassi special: while other shows were playing it safe, this scrappy Canadian production was tackling everything from teen pregnancy to gender identity. They weren't just checking boxes; they were telling stories that needed to be told. Two International Emmys and a Peabody Award later, it's clear they were onto something.

The documentary's arrival at TIFF feels perfectly timed. As we navigate an era where authentic storytelling often takes a backseat to algorithm-friendly content, "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes" reminds us why genuine, unvarnished narratives matter. Sometimes the most universal stories come from the most unexpected places — like a fictional high school in Toronto that somehow became real to millions of viewers worldwide.

Kevin Smith's appearance in the documentary adds another layer of credibility. When a filmmaker known for pushing boundaries calls your show revolutionary, you know you've done something right. The trailer suggests we're in for both a celebration and an examination — a deep dive into how a modest Canadian drama changed youth television forever.

In the end, maybe that's what makes this documentary so compelling. It's not just about a TV show — it's about growing up, taking risks, and telling stories that matter. And sometimes, those stories include future superstars having their first kiss on camera.

Who would've thought that Drake's first kiss would become a piece of television history? The upcoming documentary "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes" reveals this oddly touching moment — the future rap superstar, then just Aubrey Graham, nervously locking lips with co-star Lauren Collins on camera. It's exactly the kind of raw, unscripted honesty that made Degrassi more than just another teen drama.Set to debut at TIFF's milestone 50th edition this September, the documentary peels back the curtain on what might be Canada's most influential cultural export. Sure, that's a bold claim — but anyone who grew up watching Degrassi knows it's not just hyperbole.The show's impact runs deeper than most people realize. Before streaming wars and TikTok fame changed the game, Degrassi was quietly revolutionizing how television approached teenage life. Director Lisa Rideout doesn't just tell us this — she shows us through a masterful weaving of archival footage and surprisingly candid interviews.Drake's confession about his high school struggles hits differently now, doesn't it? "I just didn't really fit in," he admits, describing the life-changing call that landed him the role of Jimmy Brooks. Twenty years later, it's almost surreal to think about that awkward teenager transforming into one of music's biggest stars.But Degrassi was never about creating celebrities. The documentary assembles an impressive roster of alumni — some famous, others less so — who paint a picture of a show that dared to be different. Stefan Brogren's journey from playing "Snake" to becoming the school's principal mirrors the show's own evolution. It's the kind of detail that makes you appreciate the franchise's remarkable 40-year run even more.Producer Carrie Mudd nails it when she calls the show "a time capsule of growing up." The documentary doesn't shy away from the messier aspects either — the pressure of tackling controversial subjects, the personal costs for young actors, the behind-the-scenes tensions that came with pushing boundaries in the early 2025 media landscape.Here's what makes Degrassi special: while other shows were playing it safe, this scrappy Canadian production was tackling everything from teen pregnancy to gender identity. They weren't just checking boxes; they were telling stories that needed to be told. Two International Emmys and a Peabody Award later, it's clear they were onto something.The documentary's arrival at TIFF feels perfectly timed. As we navigate an era where authentic storytelling often takes a backseat to algorithm-friendly content, "Degrassi: Whatever It Takes" reminds us why genuine, unvarnished narratives matter. Sometimes the most universal stories come from the most unexpected places — like a fictional high school in Toronto that somehow became real to millions of viewers worldwide.Kevin Smith's appearance in the documentary adds another layer of credibility. When a filmmaker known for pushing boundaries calls your show revolutionary, you know you've done something right. The trailer suggests we're in for both a celebration and an examination — a deep dive into how a modest Canadian drama changed youth television forever.In the end, maybe that's what makes this documentary so compelling. It's not just about a TV show — it's about growing up, taking risks, and telling stories that matter. And sometimes, those stories include future superstars having their first kiss on camera.