The Y2K movie’s impact continues to be felt 20 years later, with everyone from Ariana Grande to Barack Obama making references, and the remake starring Renée Rapp smashing the box office
Lindsay Lohan made a comeback in Netflix film Falling for Christmas, Amanda Seyfried won an Emmy portraying Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout – so what about the rest?
Amanda Seyfried, Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams all got their big break in the original Mean Girls movie – so what has the cast been doing in the years since? Photos: NBC via Getty Images, @lindsaylohan/Instagram,
“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” If this line immediately takes you back to the corridors of North Shore High School, you’re not alone. Released in 2004, Mean Girls gifted pop culture with a lexicon of unforgettable quotes and memes.
Amanda Seyfried, Lacey Chabert and Rachel McAdams on a typical Wednesday in the original Mean Girls. Photo: Paramount Pictures
Its influence extends far beyond the big screen too. From Ariana Grande recreating scenes from the movie in her “Thank U, Next” music video, to former US president Barack Obama sharing a picture of his dog with the caption “Bo, stop trying to make fetch happen” on X, formerly Twitter, the film has definitely etched itself into the fabric of our cultural consciousness.
Ariana Grande and her crew channelled the Mean Girls cast in the singer’s “Thank U, Next” music video. Photo: @worldmilaa/Instagram
With the new Mean Girls film out on January 12 – this time led by the talented Renée Rapp – it’s the perfect time to catch up with the original Plastics and find out where life has taken them.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan as Cady Heron in Mean Girls. Photo: @meangirls/Instagram
Lindsay Lohan, 37, known for her role as the sharp yet naïve Cady Heron, has mirrored her character’s dramatic arc in real life. After her rise to fame, the actress faced personal challenges, addiction battles and intense scrutiny, but she has made a remarkable comeback.
Lindsay Lohan now lives in Dubai, UAE, with her financier husband, Bader Shammas, and baby son. Photo: @lindsaylohan/Instagram
Lohan then stepped into the business world, opening a nightclub in Athens in 2016, and two Greek island beach clubs in 2018. She shone in Netflix’s Falling for Christmas in 2022, reminding audiences of her versatility as an actress. The same year, she married financier Bader Shammas, and gave birth to a son in July last year.
Rachel McAdams
Rachel McAdams as ultimate mean girl Regina George in the 2004 film. Photo: Paramount Pictures
Rachel McAdams, 45, unforgettable as Mean Girls’ Regina George, has thrived in Hollywood in the years since. She’s captivated audiences in a variety of roles, in films including The Notebook and Spotlight.
Rachel McAdams – who went on to star in The Notebook – pictured in November 2023 at an awards ceremony in New York City, US. Photo: Getty Images
Next spring, McAdams is set to make her Broadway debut in Mary Jane, marking a new milestone in her career. Off screen, she is known for her environmental activism and her efforts to bring attention to social issues. She is married and has two children with screenwriter Jamie Linden.
Amanda Seyfried’s Karen Smith is remembered for being the Plastics’ least intelligent, but also least mean, member. Photo: @meangirls/Instagram
Known for her portrayal of the lovably naïve Karen Smith, Amanda Seyfried, 38, has showcased her versatility in the years since Mean Girls, taking on a wide range of roles. From the musicals Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables to starring as disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout, Seyfried has earned critical acclaim and won more than 20 awards.
Amanda Seyfried, pictured in September 2022 holding her best actress Emmy for The Dropout, in which she portrays disgraced Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes. Photo: NBC via Getty Images
Off screen, Seyfried is an advocate for mental health and animal rights. She is married to Life in Pieces actor Thomas Sadoski, with whom she shares two children.
Lacey Chabert
Lacey Chabert played Regina George’s overeager sidekick, Gretchen Wieners. Photo: @y2kdaily/Instagram
Lacey Chabert, 41, portrayed Gretchen Wieners, the girl forever trying to make “fetch” happen. Since her days at North Shore High, Chabert has found her niche in the realm of Hallmark movies and their heart-warming narratives, starring in a wide array of romantic comedies and holiday films.
Lacey Chabert has found her niche in family-friendly projects including Hallmark films. Photo: @thereallacey/Instagram
Beyond acting, Chabert has lent her voice to several animated series too, from children’s cartoons to video games, displaying her range and talent across different facets of the industry. She is married and has one daughter.
Jonathan Bennett
Jonathan Bennett with Rachel McAdams on the set of Mean Girls. Photo: @dulaccinemas/Instagram
Jonathan Bennett, 42, remembered as Aaron Samuels, has stayed active in the entertainment world. He’s hosted cooking shows, appeared in various TV movies, and has become a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community, using his platform to make an impact in and out of the entertainment world.
Since his breakout role, Jonathan Bennett has appeared in TV movies, wrote a Mean Girls-themed cookbook and become a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community. Photo: @jonathandbennett/Instagram
Bennett has also wrote a Mean Girls-themed cookbook in homage to his role in the film. He is married to Celebrity Page host Jaymes Vaughan.
