New and upcoming actress and singer Renee Rapp has been criticized after her newest movie “Mean Girls” was released on Jan.12. This is the downside to her new fame but her critics are out of touch with today’s generation.
It’s important to first note that many critics were surprised that “Mean Girls” was a musical since no songs were played in the trailer. Other critics didn’t like it being a musical. The producer Lorne Micheals told Entertainment Weekly after the trailer was released, “It isn’t a remake, it’s a new interpretation.”
Tina Fey, writer of the original “Mean Girls” and director of the new version, explained she decided to turn the original “Mean Girls” into a musical after the Broadway show got shut down in 2020 because of Covid-19. ” I just knew there was more joy to be had and I wanted more people to experience this,” Fey told CBS News. “I felt like there was nothing but joy to be had on the other side of this.”
The movie is a musical but people who are not into theater can still enjoy it. “This is a very specific version of the musical that has a really specific place in a niche, culty theater way, that I think expands it to maybe people who aren’t super into theater,” Rapp told People magazine.
Just like in the ‘04 “Means Girls,” Cady bands together with her new outcast friends to take down Regina George. The movie even reuses those famous one-liners from the original “Mean Girls.” The biggest change they made with the movie is the new cast is more inclusive and diverse — a movie made for a modern audience.
Rapp plays Regina George in the new movie. She said in interviews that she interprets Regina as a lesbian. Many of those critics have had mixed feelings about this fact, along with the way Rapp interviews on the press tour for “Mean Girls”.
During the press tour for “Mean Girls,” she called out an owner of a bus company calling him an ‘asshole.’ She told Andy Cohen she is an ageist. And when asked if she had any notes for Rachel McAdams the original Regina George, Rapp replied, “Date me.” The younger generation found her relatable. But the critics claimed she had no media training.
Another project Renee Rapp was a part of and played a lead role in was “The Sex Lives of College Girls” that was released in 2021. Both projects did press tours. No one said anything about her media training then. While this show helped Rapp’s career, it was “Mean Girls” that put her on the map.
Rapp finds the statement about having “no media training” comical. Her recent Instagram posts were captioned, “Her lack of media training is outrageous.”
Most of the critics come from the Gen X and Millennials. They are used to pre-prepared and predictable answers. Gen Z connects better with the people who are relatable and real. The younger generation knew that there was going to be a new “Mean Girls” movie. This is because of TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms. The older generation is just now finding out about the movie — most likely from it being released in theaters.
The movie being released and marketed on multiple platforms has opened it up to be recognized by all ages. But that comes with a lot of backlash as well — especially toward Renee Rapp, since she is the lead role in the movie.
