When I spotted that Avantika Vandanapu, known professionally as Avantika, had joined the cast of 2024’s musical ‘Mean Girls,’ I admit that I was surprised. Although it is less rare to see South Asian actors in Hollywood roles than previously, it is still rarer to see them in leading roles. I was also surprised at the immediate racist backlash that Avantika received.
As a younger person of colour who was born in this country, I would not say that I have experienced the extreme racism that previous generations have received, although it does creep up in subtler forms. Avantika received comments such as ‘why is one brown,’ ‘imagine getting bullied by an Indian girl’ and ‘the head wobble would scare me the most.’ Avantika shared them on her social media to highlight the issue and received great support, especially from her fellow South Asians – and rightly so. I would not be surprised if more South Asians went to see the film because of her presence, myself included.
Avantika’s presence in the teen classic, paired with the backlash received made me realise the significance of her casting, something that she herself has discussed in the press tour. A point that came up was the character’s name, and to reflect Avantika’s South Indian heritage, Karen Smith transformed into Karen Shetty. Names is always something that I have focussed on, and I debated whether Karen’s first name should be changed as well. However, Karen Smith is an iconic character, and it does seem quite ground-breaking that an iconic character played by a Caucasian actress can be taken on by a South Asian one, Avantika herself pointed this out. I do not believe that this works in all genres, especially when cultural background is relevant.
For a teen comedy satire, Karen’s South Asian heritage does not influence the plot per say, so I would personally allow for more lenience. In ‘Bridgerton’ it is a massive plot point that the Sharma sisters have arrived from India, so if they had no ounce of culture whatsoever the entire point in which their story was predicated on to me would not make much sense. In soap operas, which try to accurately reflect communities, an Asian family without a hint of culture to me would seem unrealistic, and nothing more than a tickbox. It would also be a missed opportunity for storylines, and the chance to educate the masses.
Avantika is right in saying that the name ‘Karen’ does stand on its own. The real stroke of genius is the changing of Smith to Shetty. This shows extra care, as Shetty is a distinctly South Indian name. As Asians, we do have a general sense of where Indian people are specifically from, from their features to their speech. To me, Avantika looks South Indian, so a surname from another region of India would raise my eyebrows. This ‘specificity’ which Avantika notes that South Asians often lack in film, means that her casting is not a tick box, but more authentic and reflective of her personal heritage. This effort should be commended. The default Asian names that are repeatedly used again because they are the first ones that pop into peoples’ heads have not cropped up here. Credit to Tina Fey for starting this conversation.
Karen Shetty is not the typical Asian female that we see on screen. There is the downtrodden, oppressed stereotype, or the nerdy schoolgirl with braces and plaits. And yes, these stereotypes come from somewhere, but for the sake of how we live our lives in the 21st century, and more importantly how other people perceive us, this should not be the norm in media. Some Asians may be disheartened that she portrays the ‘dumb promiscuous’ third of the Plastics, but on the flip side, this could be a positive change. We rarely celebrate women, let alone Asian women in their endeavours to be exactly who they want to be. As an South Asian man, I recognise that Asian women are subject to very different pressures, from society and the community. Karen Shetty is unapologetically herself, and, by and large, she is celebrated for it. This is something young women, and by extension, all young people struggle with today. Karen’s number, ‘Sexy’ highlights the progressive nature of the character. She proudly sings that she can be ‘sexy,’ and can be whoever she wants to be. Karen is confident in this way. While she is known for being promiscuous, it is only Regina who uses this is ammo, and Karen is visibly hurt by it. If Karen is being safe… is it any business of anyone else’s to comment on? Should women be slut shaming other women?
Karen is also celebrated for her beauty and popularity. Essentially, Karen’s spot in the Plastics celebrates South Asian beauty, unlike the original film. Beauty is currency at North Shore high, majority of Regina’s Queen Bee status comes from her beauty, Janis cites it as her ‘only achievement.’ Regina invites Cady into her clique because Cady is also pretty, and she is therefore a threat. If other people catch onto this fact, Cady could be a rival. Karen’s presence in the Plastics means that perfection is not just skinny and blonde. In a world where fairer skin Asians are favoured, Bollywood stars skin increasingly seems to get lighter, Avantika’s darker skin tone and presence is a triumph, as well as her long, curly hair. Bridgerton also does well in this category. Some South Asian women feel the need to straighten, or ‘tame,’ their natural curls, as to not appear ‘messy’ by Western standards. This is a hang-up of colonialism. Despite the toxicity of the Plastics, we have a South Asian girl who is desirable, people want her, and people want to be her. I cannot think of another film where this is highlighted so explicitly and do believe that it is rare in Western films.
Interestingly, Karen’s dress sense also seems more youthful than the others, as a reflection of her childish innocence. Karen wears pins and clips in her hair for decoration, and frequently wears pastel colours to reflect her childish innocence and wide-eyed wonder. Her unique style complements her ideology that she can be who she wants and is comfortable in her own skin. Take Karen’s Halloween costume, it is pink, it is more girlish and childish than Gretchen’s catsuit and Regina’s vulture. Gretchen does not have Karen’s confidence, and she only feels that she has value if she is in Regina’s favour. Her preppy style and darker tones seem more mature than Karen because Gretchen wants to be taken seriously, and seen as an equal to Regina. Karen is more concerned with being herself than anyone’s equal. Regina’s style is sexier than her counterparts, and includes corsets and black leather. She uses her clothes to stand out and exemplify her beauty, because, as previously mentioned, beauty is currency at North Shore. Also, black clothes are rarely seen in the film, and, from her first appearance, cements Regina’s status as a dangerous force, akin to a Black Widow Spider.
While her childish and naïve nature does sometimes affect her intelligence, Karen possesses a love and empathy that no other character in the film possesses. She is not unkind like the other girls and does not have ulterior motives like Regina and Gretchen. When Cady’s Mean Girl era blows up in her face, Karen is the only one to assure her that she is there for her, and still friends. The entire point of the film, that we should be kind to one another is embodied by Karen throughout the film, people just do not take her seriously enough to notice it. She is side-lined due to her lack of intelligence, but, and although I doubt this was intended, an Asian voice being drowned out and side-lined is nothing new in Western society. Karen’s kindness and empathy alludes that of everyone else. While her empathy, unlike her beauty is not massively celebrated in the film, eagled eyed moviegoers would recognise that Karen gets the last laugh, and comes out of the whole affair relatively unscathed. Her belief system is championed and parroted by Cady at Prom.
Avantika and Tina Fey have managed to put together a character that is representative, progressive, empathetic, comedic, reflective, and celebratory of modern, Asian female independence.
Now that IS fetch.
Thanks for reading!
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