When the first trailer for the 2024 Mean Girls movie dropped, the internet was, frankly, a mess. People were confused. Was it a remake? Was it a musical? Why was the marketing hiding the singing? But amidst the chaos of TikTok sleuths and disgruntled millennials, one thing became crystal clear the second the movie actually hit theaters: Auli'i Cravalho didn't just play Janis; she practically owned the entire film.
Honestly, taking on a role originally defined by Lizzy Caplan’s deadpan, "too cool for school" vibe is a massive gamble. Caplan's Janis Ian was the blueprint for the early 2000s alternative girl. But Auli'i Cravalho’s version—now named Janis 'Imi'ike—is a completely different beast. She’s louder, queer, and undeniably Polynesian. She isn't just lurking in the hallways with a bowl cut and a grudge; she’s the narrator of the whole "cautionary tale," and she has the vocal pipes to make sure you’re listening.
The Janis 'Imi'ike Evolution: More Than a Name Change
One of the coolest details about Auli'i Cravalho in Mean Girls is how much of her own identity she poured into the character. In the original 2004 film, Janis was Lebanese. In the Broadway musical, she became Janis Sarkisian. But for the 2024 musical film, Tina Fey actually asked Auli'i if she wanted to change the surname to reflect her own Native Hawaiian heritage.
They landed on 'Imi'ike, which translates to "striving for knowledge" or "striving for more."
It’s not just a superficial change for the sake of diversity. It changes the "outsider" energy. This Janis feels grounded in a way that the 2004 version wasn't. She isn't just an outcast because she’s "weird"; she’s an outcast because she refuses to play the game of high school hierarchy. Auli'i has mentioned in interviews that Janis would rather sit alone at her lunch table than fit in with people who won't take her as she is. That's a powerful shift from the original Janis, whose entire existence seemed fueled by a secret, burning desire for Regina George's validation (or at least, the destruction of it).
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Why "I'd Rather Be Me" Is the Film's True Peak
If you’ve seen the movie, you know the moment. The "burn book" has been released, the school is in total shambles, and Janis finally has her say.
In the Broadway show, "I'd Rather Be Me" is a huge anthem, but Auli'i Cravalho takes it to a level that feels almost feral. She’s literally breaking the fourth wall, staring down the camera lens, and telling every girl in the audience that if your best friend screws you over, you shouldn't just be sad—you should be done.
- The Vocal Power: We all know her from Moana, but this isn't "How Far I'll Go." This is grit. It’s belt-heavy, rock-inspired, and a little bit angry.
- The Middle Finger Incident: Fun fact—Auli'i actually got in a little trouble with the production for flipping the bird too much during this number. She was feeling the "pyro-lez" energy so hard that the line producer had to tell her to tone it down so the movie could keep its PG-13 rating.
- The Cinematography: Unlike some of the other musical numbers that felt a bit like a music video, this one feels like a movement. She walks through the school, gaining followers as she goes, essentially declaring herself the winner of the social war by simply opting out of it.
The "Pyro-Lez" Energy and Queer Representation
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Janis’s sexuality. In 2004, the "Janis is a lesbian" plot point was used as a weapon against her. It was a rumor started by Regina to isolate her. The movie ended with Janis dating Kevin Gnapoor, sort of "proving" the rumors wrong (or at least complicating them).
In 2024? No more rumors. Auli'i Cravalho's Janis is a proud, out lesbian.
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Auli'i describes her version as a "pyro-lez, loud and proud." It changes the stakes of her feud with Regina George. It’s no longer about a misunderstood friendship; it’s about a queer girl being bullied for who she is and deciding to light the whole system on fire. This version of the character feels much more aligned with 2026 sensibilities, where the "is she or isn't she" trope feels dated and, frankly, a bit tired.
That DIY Aesthetic: Eyeliner and Safety Pins
If you look closely at Janis’s outfits, they aren't just "alt." They’re deeply personal. Auli'i actually did her own eyeliner every day on set to get into the headspace of a high schooler who uses makeup as armor.
She also helped design some of the "grunge-boho" looks. You'll see her wearing:
- Oversized vintage striped coats.
- Pants she literally drew on herself.
- Safety pins clipped to her clothes (which sparked a huge debate on Reddit about whether they were "safe space" symbols or just punk fashion).
- Rhinestones and glitter that look like they were applied in a bathroom mirror between classes.
It’s a far cry from the perfectly polished Plastics. It makes the character feel like a real person you'd actually meet in an AP Art class, rather than a costume department's idea of what a "rebel" looks like.
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Behind the Scenes: The Chemistry with Jaquel Spivey
You can't talk about Auli'i in Mean Girls without talking about Jaquel Spivey, who played Damian. Their chemistry is the heartbeat of the movie. While Cady (Angourie Rice) can sometimes feel a bit passive, Janis and Damian are the puppet masters.
They filmed a lot of their scenes as a "narrator duo," which gave them a chance to play off each other in ways the original actors didn't. They even have a TikTok-style intro that sets the tone for the modern update. Auli'i has said that she and Jaquel became fast friends, and that genuine bond shows on screen. They feel like a "self-protective little unit," which is exactly what Janis and Damian should be.
Ranking the Performance: How Does It Hold Up?
Look, people are always going to compare remakes to the original. It’s inevitable. But if you look at the critical reception, Auli'i Cravalho and Reneé Rapp (who played Regina) were consistently cited as the highlights.
Some critics felt the movie struggled with its identity—was it a pop movie or a Broadway show? But Auli'i never wavered. She sang every note with a "bold theater sound" that stood out against some of the more "pop-ified" arrangements of the soundtrack. Even if you didn't love the new version of "Apex Predator," you couldn't deny that Auli'i was giving 110%.
What You Should Do Next
If you’ve already seen the movie and you’re obsessed with the Janis vibe, here’s how to dive deeper into the Auli'i Cravalho Mean Girls era:
- Listen to the "I'd Rather Be Me" (Film Version): Compare it to the Broadway cast recording. You'll hear the difference in how Auli'i chooses to "growl" certain lines. It’s much more visceral.
- Check out her interviews on 'The Power': If you like her grittier side, she filmed an Amazon series called The Power around the same time she was auditioning for Janis. It’s where she "belted her head off" in a hotel room to get the part.
- Follow her "Janis" makeup tutorials: Fans have been recreating her graphic eyeliner looks on social media. It’s a great way to see the detail that went into her character design.
- Watch the "Apex Predator" sequence again: Focus on the choreography. It’s one of the few moments where Janis gets to be truly "theatrical" and show off the Moana-level grace mixed with Janis-level sass.
Auli'i Cravalho didn't just play Janis; she redefined what the character means for a new generation. She took a character defined by pain and turned her into a character defined by power. That's why, even years later, this performance is still the one people are talking about when they mention the 2024 remake.