In a new behind-the-scenes book titled “So Fetch: The Making of ‘Mean Girls’ (and Why We’re Still So Obsessed With It),” author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong unveils intriguing details about the challenges “Mean Girls” star Lindsay Lohan faced during the filming of the 2004 hit movie.
Chapter five of the book delves into the transformations undergone by the cast to embody the iconic Plastics, played by Rachel McAdams (Regina George), Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners), and Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith), including Lohan’s character, Cady Heron.
Armstrong’s narrative discloses that Lohan’s eagerness to fully embrace her character’s superficial transformation led to some on-set troubles. The book cites instances where the actress, in her zeal, attempted to fast-track her character’s evolution by curling her hair prematurely.
Hair played a pivotal role in conveying the story, with director Mark Waters providing specific instructions on its appearance. The film’s hairstylist, Carol Hartwick, was consistently present to make necessary adjustments. Lohan, however, was determined to shed her character’s initial look sooner than intended.
According to Armstrong, “Lohan would constantly rush to wear pieces meant for later in the timeline or vamp up her hair when it was still supposed to be straighter and simpler.” Waters, the director, had to intervene frequently to prevent Lohan from curling her hair too early in Cady’s metamorphosis.
The book recounts a specific incident where Lohan took matters into her own hands during a break, curling her hair against the director’s instructions. Waters, while expressing his frustration, maintained his composure. “‘Lindsay, what are you doing?’ he asked. ‘We can’t shoot the scene with your hair curled. We already shot half without it.'”
Lohan’s impromptu hairstyle change resulted in a setback, with the makeup team requiring an hour to restore her camera-ready appearance. Despite these challenges, Waters, who had previously worked with Lohan on the 2003 “Freaky Friday” remake, acknowledged her unique energy. “She is watchable,” Waters remarked, “but she’s also a handful. The movie wouldn’t be successful without that energy.”
While the timing of Cady’s transformation was beyond Lohan’s control, the actor did exert influence over her character’s hairstyle. Drawing inspiration from the ’90s icon Jennifer Aniston, Lohan requested a longer, redder version, with extensions, of Aniston’s famous layered look as Rachel Green on “Friends.”
The behind-the-scenes revelations in Armstrong’s book provide fans with a captivating glimpse into the challenges and creative processes that shaped the beloved teen comedy “Mean Girls.”
