Tina Fey Praises Reneé Rapp in Mean Girls
Exploring Tina Fey's thoughts on Reneé Rapp's portrayal of Regina George in the new Mean Girls musical movie.
Rapp's Captivating Portrayal of Regina George
Tina Fey discusses why Reneé Rapp is the perfect Regina George in the new Mean Girls musical movie. Rapp played Regina in the Broadway musical and reprises the role on the big screen. Rapp has risen to prominence from her role in The Sex Live of College Girls and her music career.
Renee Rapp as Regina George Under a Red Light in the Hallway in Mean Girls 2024
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Mean Girls, Fey praised Rapp. She broke down how Rapp takes elements from the Broadway musical while brilliantly acting for the camera with thoughtful nuances. Fey also explained how Rapp can key into a core element of Regina, her ability to intimidate, while also making people desperate to win her approval.
Reneé Rapp as Regina George wearing sun glasses and driving a car in Mean Girls 2024
Tina Fey: Reneé can really own a close-up. Her face is so stunning, and also she's so intimidating when she needs to be. I think she's built for the screen. She just is so powerful. At the same time, she has the legit vocal and movement skills of a Broadway star. So you're really just getting the best of everything. But there's some really funny things that she does in the movie that are very subtle and definitely camera style acting like in the gym when Ms. Norbury almost sings. Please, if you see the movie again, please just watch Renee's eyes. She's so funny. She just does this really funny take with her eyes.
Mean Girl's Regina George dancing in the talent show for Christmas
As Regina, Renee has this quality that Regina has to have, which is you're scared of her, but you also really want her to like you. You want her to notice you. You want her to approve of you. You want her to shine her light on you.
Regina George is sitting with Karen and Gretchen in class
Rapp's Mastery of Regina George's Character
Rapp is able to capture the feeling of Regina George embodying her stranglehold over the school and plastics, with people gravitating towards her while still fearing her wrath. Rapp also brings the nuanced comedic timing that is necessary for this role. Fey notes how Rapp brings subtle acting choices to the role that make all the difference. These decisions likely add an unexpected depth to her performance as well.
The clique from Mean Girls 2024 walking outside the school
Perhaps most impressive is Rapp's ability to meld the elements of the Mean Girls Broadway show with her ability to act for the camera. Acting on stage versus on screen are very different skill sets. When performing on Broadway, the cast needs to bring a larger-than-life element to the performance in order for the entire theater to have the same experience. However, the stage style doesn't quite translate on camera, with close-ups and smaller, more intimate moments being key to a great movie.
Rapp's prowess as a singer elevates the role, as does her understanding and execution of performance for the medium of film. Rapp fully brings together every aspect of what makes Regina George such a horrible and compelling character in every incarnation. Mean Girls is able to bring together what works so well from the original movie and the Broadway musical while capturing the feel and humor of today, and Rapp perfectly embodies that balance.
Rapp's Impact on Mean Girls
Related images:
Reneé Rapp's portrayal of Regina George in the new Mean Girls musical movie has left an indelible mark on the iconic character. Her ability to seamlessly transition from the Broadway stage to the big screen while maintaining the essence of Regina George is a testament to her talent and versatility. Tina Fey's words of praise for Rapp's performance further solidify the impact she has had on the Mean Girls franchise, bridging the gap between the original movie and the Broadway musical with finesse and flair. Rapp's portrayal captures the essence of Regina George in a way that captivates audiences and brings new life to the character, making her a standout in the realm of musical adaptations to film.
