Nineteen years have passed since the iconic teen comedy Mean Girls first graced the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture. As the classic film celebrates nearly two decades since its release, the spotlight shifts to the stars who brought the plastics to life. Join us on a nostalgic exploration of how the stars have navigated their careers, personal lives, and the ever-changing landscape of fame.
1. Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels)
Following his role in Mean Girls, Jonathan Bennett extended his acting career with notable appearances, starring in Cheaper By the Dozen 2 and later gracing the screens in several TV movies, particularly those in the holiday genre on Hallmark and Lifetime channels. Bennett’s popularity transcended film and found a pop culture niche when he made a memorable appearance in Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next music video.
Beyond his on-screen endeavors, Bennett made a significant personal revelation as he came out, adding another layer to his public identity. The actor also celebrated a joyous milestone in 2022 by tying the knot.
2. Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron)
Lindsay Lohan, already an established child actor with credits like The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday, rose to prominence as Cady Heron in Mean Girls. Following her success, Lohan continued to showcase her talent in films such as Just My Luckand Herbie Fully Loaded. However, the pitfalls of early fame and the pressures of the public eye led her to troubles throughout adolescence and early adulthood.
Amid career challenges, Lohan took a hiatus from acting between 2015-2018. Her triumphant return came in 2022 with the Netflix holiday film Falling For Christmas. Notably, Lohan also reunited with her Mean Girls co-stars in a Black Friday commercial in 2023, marking a nostalgic moment for fans as some of the original cast reprised their roles from the iconic film.
3. Rachel McAdams (Regina George)
Rachel McAdams, reflecting on her pivotal role in Mean Girls, recalls the moment she eagerly embraced any part in the screenplay after reading it. In the nascent stages of her career, McAdams found the prospect of being part of the film to be a compelling aspiration. “I remember when I read it, I called my agent right away and said, ’I will play any part in this, please, please, please,’” she shared.
Following a series of auditions, McAdams secured the role of the main antagonist opposite Lindsay Lohan’s Cady, a performance that not only garnered critical acclaim but also served as a catalyst for her thriving career. From the iconic high school comedy, she seamlessly transitioned into a diverse array of films, earning an Oscar nomination for her role in Spotlight in 2016.
4. Tina Fey (Ms. Sharon Norbury)
Tina Fey’s iconic screenplay for Mean Girls drew inspiration from Rosalind Wiseman’s bestselling self-help book, Queen Bees & Wannabes. Providing a humorous yet insightful glimpse into the complexities of high school dynamics. While the 2004 comedy resonated with audiences due to its relatable portrayal of teenage life, what made it truly unique were the personal touches Fey infused from her own experiences.
Fey’s ability to blend real-world insights with comedic brilliance elevated the film beyond the typical teen comedy. Beyond her iconic contribution to “Mean Girls,” Fey continues to leave her mark in the entertainment industry. In 2023, she has showcased her versatility by taking on roles in projects like A Haunting in Venice and the successful series Only Murders in the Building, demonstrating her enduring influence and creative range.
5. Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian)
Lizzy Caplan, known for her portrayal of the goth girl Janis Ian in Mean Girls, faced a challenging hiatus in her career post the teen drama’s success. Recalling the tough period, she shared, “I remember after Mean Girls I didn’t work again for a long time. For like a year, I couldn’t get a job.”
Determined to break free from the constraints of her previous character, Caplan took matters into her own hands, opting for a bold transformation. “The next thing I did, I straight up dyed my hair blonde and got a spray tan,” she revealed. This strategic move proved effective, as shortly after her makeover, Caplan successfully booked a role. Beyond her on-screen ventures, the actress has continued to evolve, recently participating in a series titled Fatal Attraction and, in a more personal chapter, welcoming a son named Alfie with her husband Tom Riley in 2021.
6. Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith)
While acknowledging the pivotal role Mean Girls played in her ascent, Seyfried reflects on the challenge of avoiding typecasting and breaking free from the “pretty blonde” stereotype. In recounting her early career struggles, she revealed, “Mean Girls got me on the map. It really got my foot in the door, but getting pigeonholed was the thing you had to fight.”
Now the star has since navigated a diverse array of genres on the big screen, showcasing her versatility from the realms of the erotic thriller to wholesome musicals.
7. Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners)
Lacey Chabert recently reunited with her co-stars, Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried, for a nostalgic ad. The reunion was a mini-sequel where the actors relieved their iconic characters. While Chabert continues to be celebrated for her contribution to the iconic teen comedy, she has transitioned into a different genre, becoming synonymous with Hallmark Christmas movies in recent years.
8. Rajiv Surendra (Kevin Gnapoor)
Rajiv Surendra, celebrated for his portrayal of Kevin Gnapoor in Mean Girls experienced an unexpected turn in his acting trajectory when his ambitious quest for the lead role in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi did not materialize, ultimately prompting his departure from Hollywood and acting.
Today, Rajiv has emerged as a multi-talented individual, showcasing his skills in DIY and styling through a thriving social media presence, particularly on YouTube. The actor continues to captivate audiences, occasionally sharing glimpses of his personal life, including a boyfriend reveal recently.
9. Daniel Franzese (Damian Leigh)
In 2014, around the 10th anniversary of the movie, Daniel Franzese, who brought the unforgettable character Damian to life, publicly came out. Franzese was privately navigating a profound internal struggle with his own identity while portraying the witty and beloved character. Franzese shared, “It wasn’t just about being ashamed of who I was — it was about losing family members. It was about losing my livelihood.”
Fast forward to the present, and Daniel has transitioned into stand-up comedy, embracing his true self. As he moves forward, Franzese’s portrayal of Damian endures as a beacon of inspiration for queer teens.
On more recent news, Lindsay Lohan is a first-time mom, and the internet is buzzing with excitement as she proudly embraces motherhood. In a bold and empowering move, Lohan has taken to social media to share a glimpse of her postpartum journey, leaving fans in awe and sparking conversations about body positivity.
Preview photo credit Mean Girls / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, rajivsurendra / Instagram, Mean Girls / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, Fati Sadou / ABACAPRESS.COM / Abaca / East News
My Mother-in-Law Filled My Home with Cockroaches to Tarnish My Reputation as a Housekeeper – My Retaliation Was Severe
Elara thought marriage would be her happily ever after, until cockroaches invaded her home and her mother-in-law made her life a living nightmare. But when a dark secret blurred the line between victim and villain, Elara realized that revenge was the only way out.
I’m Elara, and I’ve been married to my husband, Jacob, for about a year now. Life, for the most part, has been good, really good, actually. We settled into married life with ease, enjoying the simple pleasures of being together.
Jacob is everything I could have asked for in a husband. He is kind, supportive, and always there when I need him. But, as with most things in life, there’s a catch.
That catch is my mother-in-law, Agnes.
From the very beginning, it was clear as day that she never liked me. Whether it was the way she looked at me or the not-so-subtle digs she made, her attitude was unmistakable. I’m not sure what I did to deserve her disdain, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that she saw me as an intruder in her son’s life.
Still, she’s Jacob’s mother, and for that reason alone, I’ve tried my best to live with it. To smile through her snide remarks and keep the peace, for Jacob’s sake. But no amount of forced smiles could prepare me for what came next.
Just when I thought I could handle her passive-aggressive digs, things took a turn for the worse.
For the past month, my house has felt like something out of a nightmare. No, scratch that. MY LIFE has felt like something out of a nightmare.
It started with a cockroach here and there. One scuttling across the kitchen counter. Another creeping along the bathroom floor.
But soon, they were everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE! The kitchen, the bathroom, the living room, hell, even our bedroom wasn’t safe. I’d wake up in the middle of the night feeling a tickle on my arm, only to flick on the light and see a roach making itself at home on my bed.
We called pest control multiple times. We bought traps, sprays, you name it. But no matter what we did, the roaches kept coming back, like they had some vendetta against me. And to top it all off, my mother-in-law just couldn’t resist rubbing it in.
“Honestly, Elara,” she’d say with that sickly sweet tone of hers, “you really should take better care of the house. Jacob deserves a clean home. How can you let it get this bad?”
It didn’t stop there. One afternoon, as she sipped tea in our living room, a roach had the nerve to crawl up the wall. Agnes’s eyes followed it with a look of exaggerated horror.
“My goodness, Elara,” she gasped, clutching her chest as if she were witnessing a crime. “I can’t imagine how embarrassed you must be, living in these conditions. I never had this problem when Jacob was growing up.”
Then there was the time she “helpfully” brought over a stack of cleaning supplies, dumping them on my kitchen counter with a too-bright smile. “I thought you could use these, dear,” she said, her voice oozing with false concern. “Maybe they’ll help you get a handle on things. I’d hate for people to think you can’t keep a clean house.”
Each comment was a jab, a twist of the knife, making me feel smaller and more inadequate every time. It was as if she reveled in my struggle, her words like salt in an already festering wound.
Every time she opened her mouth, it took everything in me not to scream. I’d nod, smile, and tell her I was doing my best, but inside, I was seething. This isn’t my fault, you old witch! I wanted to shout. But of course, I couldn’t do that. Not to Jacob’s mother.
But then, the universe threw me a bone. Or rather, Agnes made a mistake. She’d come over to “check on us” again, dropping her little barbs like confetti. As she left, she accidentally left her handbag on the couch. When I went to pick it up and move it, a receipt fluttered out. I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but something caught my eye.
It was from a pet store. But not just any pet store—one that specialized in reptiles. And the item purchased? LIVE COCKROACHES!
My blood ran cold. For a moment, I just stood there, staring at that stupid piece of paper in my hand. And then, slowly, the realization hit me. Agnes was behind the infestation. She’d been sabotaging me, setting me up to look like the world’s worst housekeeper.
The anger that flared up inside me was blinding. I could feel it burning in my chest, my hands trembling with the force of it. But along with the anger came something else—something darker.
I wasn’t just going to confront her. No, that would be letting her off too easily. I was going to get revenge.
I stormed out of the house, receipt still clenched in my hand, and got into my car. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I knew I needed to strike back. Hard. As I drove, my thoughts raced, and then it hit me. I made a quick detour to that same pet store. If she wanted to play dirty, then I’d go nuclear.
Inside, I found exactly what I was looking for—a potent animal attractant. The kind hunters use to lure wild animals from miles away. The plan formed in my head like a beautiful, terrible flower, blooming with each passing second.
When I finally pulled up to Agnes’s house, night had fallen. She lived on the outskirts of town, right next to the woods, which made this perfect. I crept around her yard, spreading the attractant everywhere. The bushes, the flower beds, even the base of the house itself. I didn’t stop there.
I slipped inside — she always left the back door unlocked, trusting as ever — and sprinkled some inside too. The whole time, my heart raced with a mixture of fear and exhilaration.
By the time I finished, I was practically shaking with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. But for now, I went home, crawled into bed, and let sleep take me. And oh, how sweet that sleep was.
I dreamed of revenge, of Agnes’s horrified face, of the chaos I had unleashed, and I drifted deeper into that blissful darkness, savoring every second.
Then, just as I was reliving the final moments of my delicious payback, the shrill ring of the phone yanked me from my dream. I groggily reached for it, my heart pounding. It was Jacob, and from the frantic tone of his voice, I knew something big had happened.
“Elara, you won’t believe this,” he said, half laughing, half in shock. “Mom’s house was… attacked last night!”
I sat up in bed, trying to sound groggy. “Attacked? By who?”
“Not who—what. Animals. The whole yard was swarmed! Deer, moose, foxes, even birds! They trashed everything! They tore up the garden and broke the fences. And the smell… God, the whole place reeks. It’s like the animals turned the yard into their personal toilet.”
It took everything in me to keep from bursting out laughing. “That’s awful! What’s she going to do?”
“She’s coming to stay with us until it’s cleaned up. She doesn’t have a choice.”
I felt my stomach drop. Great, I didn’t think this through. But I couldn’t let him hear the panic in my voice. “Oh, okay. We’ll make it work.”
When Agnes arrived later that day, the look on her face was priceless. She was humiliated, furious, and worst of all, powerless. She barely acknowledged me as she walked inside, nose wrinkling at the sight of the cockroaches that still plagued our house.
“Oh, don’t mind them,” I said sweetly. “They just won’t go away, no matter what we do.”
I waited until later that night, after Jacob and I were alone, to show him the receipt. He stared at it, his face hardening as the truth sank in.
“She did WHAT?” he exclaimed, disbelief giving way to anger.
“Apparently, she’s been planting roaches in the house this whole time. I found this after she left yesterday,” I said, handing him the damning piece of paper.
Jacob stormed into the guest room, confronting Agnes right then and there. She tried to deny it, but the receipt was undeniable. She stammered out an apology, her face going red with shame.
“I didn’t think it would go this far,” she mumbled, eyes glued to the floor.
“Well, it did,” Jacob snapped. “And you’re paying for the pest control and all the damage you caused. Until it’s done, you’ll have to live among the cockroaches YOU brought into our lives.”
As I listened to their exchange, a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Sure, I hadn’t planned on Agnes moving in, but at least now she was getting what she deserved.
Lying in bed that night, I felt a deep, dark satisfaction settle over me. Revenge might not always be sweet, but sometimes, it’s just what you need to get by. And as for Agnes? Well, let’s just say she’ll be sleeping with the roaches tonight.
And for many nights to come.
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