There is nothing like curling up on the couch, snapping at the television rooting for a female character with no qualms about being mean and herself. In the spirit of Women’s Day, we compiled a list of movies and TV shows showing it-girls who did away with stereotypes assigned to them. Women have been consistently presented in films and television shows as singular and one-dimensional. However, these characters have made their mark as strong and unapologetic women in popular culture.
It-Girls Who Did Away With Stereotypes
Shanaya from Student of the Year
Even though she starts as a shallow mean girl, in the beginning, she moves ahead to become a character in her own right. She wasn’t afraid of following her feelings and grounding herself in her ideals. Additionally, she confronted the characters Abhimanyu and Rohan when they started fighting over her, using the competition as a way to ‘win’ her. She became exceedingly annoyed and called them out on this. She may look ditzy and stupid but uses her femininity as a weapon and way to get ahead in the world. Check her out by watching the Student of the Year on Netflix.
Ruby from Sex Education
Our first look at Ruby was exceedingly shallow and mean. Especially when she gets together with Otis, we get concerned for him more than her. However, as the show peels the layers back on her, we realise how strong and confident she is even though she comes from a family that doesn’t necessarily emulate those values. Her tenderness and audacity may be two conflicting character traits, but they suit her perfectly and make her a character we instantly start rooting for later. See her soft side by streaming Sex Education on Netflix.
Maddy from Euphoria
From the beginning, we see Maddy as a hustler in the best way possible. She is not ready to take people walking all over her but shows such tenderness when it comes to her friends and the people around her. We get an even better insight into her in the second season when we see her and Cassie fight. She is an it-girl with people wrapped around her finger, but she is also strong, confident and ready to take on people trying to hurt her. Check out Maddy’s energy by streaming Euphoria on Disney+ Hotstar.
Rachel from Friends
One of the best character arcs over the seasons, Rachel is a character we initially abhorred but came to love as the series progressed. She was initially spoilt and privileged, with no knowledge of how to handle herself. But even then, she had immense confidence and gradually increasing empathy that made her such a lovable character throughout the show. Whether it be personal or professional, she was not afraid to talk about what she wanted and how passionate she was about getting it. See her get even more fantastic by streaming Friends on Netflix.
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Poo from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
If her introduction didn’t catch your eye initially, the rest of her screen time definitely will. She is expected to emulate certain arbitrary aspects of being Indian in a foreign land but completely occupies culture and herself in her own way. Once again, she is not afraid to go after who and what she loves but is also understanding and tender when required. Poo has also grown to become a cultural icon for many Gen Z women because of her confidence and impeccable noughties style. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is available to stream on Netflix.
Gina Linetti from Brooklyn Nine-Nine
There is something inherently unhinged about this character, which makes her so exciting on screen. She is really intelligent and crafty, making her way across the world as a woman with nothing but her wits and confidence. Apart from having some of the most iconic lines on the screen, she has also become an icon in her own world by capitalising on the kind of things people get obsessed with in the Internet Age.
This character can be moved through any era in the human chronology and would still make the same impact on humankind. Get magnetised by her personality by streaming Brookyln Nine-Nine on Netflix.
Regina George from Mean Girls
Every young girl has imagined herself walking through a hallway like they own it, and Regina George is probably the reason for that. Apart from giving birth to a whole new trope for a female character, Regina George has shown how femininity and guile can be used as weapons in a system trying to oppress women. She doesn’t shy away from her image and wholeheartedly embraces it. Her unapologetic nature and ability to turn every situation into a spectacle make her awesome. Mean Girls is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Elle Woods from Legally Blonde
Talking about a subverted trope, Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde is why most people are pulled in by it-girls. Whether it be her iconic line about getting into Harvard or using her intelligence to plot the best revenge scheme, Elle Woods is a character that has shown how women don’t just have to be monolithic and one-dimensional. There are layers to her personality that make it exceedingly clear why we should root for her. See her glam in Legally Blonde streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Which character are you planning to emulate after watching these films and TV shows? Let us know in the comments below.
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