The way that Reneé Rapp has me and everyone who watched Mean Girls (and her highly entertaining press tour) in a chokehold is unreal. I am aware that her portrayal of Regina George is supposed to strike fear into the hearts of every high schooler but she could probably step on us all and we’d thank her for it.
My girl was born for this role and even played Regina in the broadway production of the musical and according to an official press release, Tina Fey, who wrote both the original 2004 Mean Girls film and the broadway adaptation, and producer/Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels had to convince her to try out for the role. “She actually said she wasn’t sure she wanted to do Broadway,” Fey explains. “Lorne and I convinced her she’d be wasting her talent if she didn’t take a run at this.”
And the queen bee Rapp herself said, “I look back and my jaw is on the ground. I know now how lucky I am. Women in comedy are not often granted the space to be sexy and funny and I think all the girls here are.”
She also calls the character the “head b*tch in charge” A.K.A. HBIC and shares, “She’s really sexy and powerful, but is also really endearing when you get to know her. She is a villain but you’re forced to empathize with her at times.”
Since watching the film, the following songs have been living rent-free in my head and are as follows:
“Meet the Plastics” (Reneé Rapp)
As soon as Ms. Reneé Rapp sang, “My name is Regina George,” I immediately fanned myself.
A bop that definitely reflects the progressive feminist direction of current bimbocore content. Plus, Avantika giving us Karens a good reputation!
“Revenge Party” (Auli’i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Angourie Rice + cast)
I am such a glutton for a visual assault of saturated colors so this entire performance was like my Pinterest mood board materialized into reality.
“I’d Rather Be Me” (Auli’i Cravalho + the cast)
The voice of Moana aggressively encouraging the crowd to flip the bird? Enough said.
“Not My Fault” (Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion)
This dance floor burner hits so hard for almost three minutes GAY!!! Basically this year’s queer/sapphic anthem. Best believe that I will be swiveling my hips to the beat and pay tribute.
Mean Girls the musical is still showing in cinemas c/o Paramount Pictures International and UIP.
Photo Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
