The Plastics Reimagined: Where Are The Mean Girls Musical Cast Members Now?

The Mean Girls universe has never been more relevant, with the 2024 movie musical adaptation introducing a new generation of talent to the iconic roles of Cady, Regina, and The Plastics. This latest iteration, a direct adaptation of the 2018 Broadway show, has captivated audiences with its fresh take, blending the original film’s sharp humor with a dynamic musical score. As of December 18, 2025, the cast members of the film and the current touring productions are dominating both the screen and the stage, with many balancing their newfound *Mean Girls* fame with major projects across film, TV, and music. The deep dive into the *Mean Girls* musical cast is essential for anyone following the latest in pop culture and Broadway. From a Tony-nominated Broadway star making his film debut to a Disney princess stepping into a new, edgy role, the talent assembled for the 2024 film and the ongoing North American and UK tours represents the absolute best of young Hollywood and musical theatre. Here is a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the key players and their careers beyond North Shore High.

The 2024 Movie Musical Cast: Biographies and Recent Projects

The 2024 *Mean Girls* film, written by Tina Fey and directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., features a star-studded cast, blending veterans of the original film and Broadway production with rising stars. This section details the main cast and their most notable roles and projects.

• Reneé Rapp as Regina George: Rapp is the definitive bridge between the stage and screen versions, having played Regina George on Broadway before reprising the role for the film. Her career exploded with her role as Leighton Murray in the HBO Max series *The Sex Lives of College Girls*. Rapp has since shifted her focus almost entirely to her burgeoning pop/R&B music career, releasing the critically acclaimed album *Snow Angel* and embarking on a major world tour. She is a powerful entity in the modern pop landscape, often discussing her sexual identity and mental health through her music.
• Angourie Rice as Cady Heron: The Australian actress is best known to global audiences for her role as Betty Brant in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's *Spider-Man* films (*Homecoming*, *Far From Home*, and *No Way Home*). Prior to *Mean Girls*, she starred in the HBO Max series *Mare of Easttown* and the dystopian anthology series *Black Mirror*. Her upcoming projects include the 2025 film *Steal Away*.
• Auliʻi Cravalho as Janis 'Imi'ike: Cravalho gained international fame at age 14 as the voice of the titular character in Disney's *Moana* (2016), a role she is set to reprise in the highly anticipated *Moana 2*. Her recent work includes a high-profile turn on Broadway as the Emcee in the revival of *Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club*, showcasing her versatility beyond Disney. The film's version of Janis, with the new last name 'Imi'ike, is openly queer, a key difference from the original film, which Cravalho embraced.
• Jaquel Spivey as Damian Hubbard: Spivey made a massive splash in the theatre world by starring as Usher in the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-winning musical *A Strange Loop*, earning a Tony nomination for his professional debut. His role in *Mean Girls* marks his first major film appearance, bringing his incredible stage presence and vocal talent to the screen.
• Avantika as Karen Shetty: Avantika Vandanapu is an Indian-American actress who has quickly risen to prominence. She is known for her lead role in the Disney Channel Original Movie *Spin* and supporting roles in Netflix's *Moxie* and *Senior Year*. Her portrayal of Karen (renamed Karen Shetty in the 2024 film) has been praised for its comedic timing, solidifying her status as a young Hollywood "It Girl."
• Bebe Wood as Gretchen Wieners: Wood is widely recognized for her role as Lake Meriwether in the Hulu series *Love, Victor* and as Shannon in the ABC sitcom *The Real O'Neals*. Like many of her co-stars, Wood is also a musician, making her a perfect fit for the musical adaptation.
• Christopher Briney as Aaron Samuels: Briney is a major entity in the teen drama sphere, primarily known for his breakthrough role as Conrad Fisher in the popular Amazon Prime Video series *The Summer I Turned Pretty*. His casting in *Mean Girls* as the love interest, Aaron Samuels, marked his first major film musical role, and he is also set to appear in the critically acclaimed series *Hacks*.
• The OG Cameos: Tina Fey (Ms. Norbury) and Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall) reprised their roles from the 2004 film, adding a layer of nostalgic topical authority to the 2024 movie musical.

The Current Touring Casts: North America and UK/Ireland

While the film brought the musical to a global audience, the live stage productions continue to tour, offering a different, high-energy experience. The touring casts are constantly changing, but the most recent announcements for the 2024-2025 seasons feature new and exciting talent.

The 2024–2025 North American Tour Cast

The North American tour continues to bring the fetch story to cities across the continent. This cast is responsible for keeping the live energy of the musical alive for thousands of fans.

• Cady Heron: Natalie Shaw
• Regina George: Maya Petropoulos
• Gretchen Wieners: Kristen Amanda Smith
• Janis Sarkisian: Alexys Morera
• Damian Hubbard: Joshua Morrisey

The UK and Ireland Tour Cast

The first-ever UK and Ireland tour of the *Mean Girls* musical launched with a fresh ensemble of performers, introducing the musical to new international audiences.

• Cady Heron: Emily Lane
• Regina George: Vivian Panka
• Karen Smith: Sophie Pourret
• Gretchen Wieners: Kiara Dario
• Damian Hubbard: Max Gill

Movie Musical vs. Broadway: Key Differences and Topical Entities

The *Mean Girls* 2024 film is not a remake of the 2004 film, but an adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical. However, there are significant differences between the stage show and the movie musical that are crucial for dedicated fans and critics alike, adding important topical authority to the discussion.

The Evolution of Janis and Regina’s Backstory

In the 2024 movie musical, the relationship between Janis and Regina is given a more explicit and contemporary context. Janis, played by Auliʻi Cravalho, is openly established as queer, and her falling out with Regina is tied directly to a rumor Regina spread about Janis being a lesbian in middle school. This is a subtle yet crucial shift from the 2004 film, where the "lesbian" rumor was simply an insult, and the 2018 Broadway show, where the rumor was less central to Janis’s identity. The film's change highlights modern discussions around identity and bullying, making Janis a strong entity for representation.

Major Song Cuts and Additions

A key difference between the Broadway and movie musical is the song list. Several fan-favorite songs from the stage show were either cut entirely or significantly shortened for the film.

• Cut Songs: Popular numbers like "Where Do You Belong?", "Stop," and "It Roars" were left out of the movie. The removal of "Where Do You Belong?" meant the film spent less time establishing the social hierarchy of North Shore High School.
• New Songs: The movie introduced a new song, "Not My Fault," performed by Reneé Rapp and Auliʻi Cravalho, which was a fresh addition to the musical landscape.
• Thematic Shift: The film's score generally features a more pop-oriented production style compared to the more traditional Broadway sound of the stage musical. This was a deliberate choice to appeal to a Gen Z audience, but it was a point of contention for some Broadway purists.

Cady Heron's Characterization and Vocal Performance

Angourie Rice's portrayal of Cady Heron in the 2024 film was notably different from the original Broadway Cady, Erika Henningsen. While Henningsen was lauded for her powerful, clear Broadway soprano, Rice's performance was more subdued and pop-forward, which some critics noted made the character feel "bland" compared to the stage version. This difference in vocal style between the theatrical and film casts is a major point of discussion among musical theatre enthusiasts, highlighting the different demands of each medium. The current cast of the *Mean Girls* musical, whether on screen or on tour, is a testament to the enduring legacy of the story. By embracing new talent like Reneé Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, and Christopher Briney, and integrating contemporary themes, *Mean Girls* remains a relevant and "fetch" cultural phenomenon for the 2020s.