How Marilyn Monroe Helped Amanda Seyfried Land Her Iconic ‘Mean Girls’ Character

Amanda Seyfried is opening up about how a classic Hollywood starlet helped shape one of her most memorable roles. In a recent interview with GQ, Seyfried, who portrayed the ditzy but lovable Karen Smith in the iconic 2004 teen comedy Mean Girls, revealed that she drew inspiration from none other than Marilyn Monroe’s performance in Some Like It Hot for her portrayal of the high school queen bee.

“It was sort of like, channeling a little bit of Some Like It Hot, Marilyn Monroe,” Seyfried shared, reflecting on her teenage years and her debut film role. At the time of filming, Seyfried was just 17 years old, and the role of Karen — a character known for her ditzy charm and unintentionally hilarious one-liners — was her first foray into Hollywood. “I just held onto that so tight, because I felt like that was the reason I got the role,” Seyfried continued. “I didn’t trust my instincts so much as having a clear idea of who I thought this person was.”

In Some Like It Hot (1959), Monroe famously played the seductive singer Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk, whose breezy charm and seemingly naive persona became iconic in film history. Seyfried’s Karen shares a similar quality — a seemingly airheaded exterior that hides a sweet, well-meaning nature. This parallel to Monroe’s portrayal of Sugar Kowalczyk highlights how Seyfried channeled the same type of uninhibited, effervescent energy that made Monroe an enduring figure in Hollywood.

Looking back at the Mean Girls production, Seyfried noted that she and her co-stars, including Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, and Lacey Chabert, didn’t spend too much time overthinking their characters. “We were playing versions of ourselves,” Seyfried said. “We understood the world [of the film] better than the crew members because we were that age.” Seyfried pointed out how the fun of making the movie was just as important as the performances themselves. “It was just kids having fun, you know, at camp,” she recalled, referring to the camaraderie shared by the young cast members. During the weekends of the film’s shoot, Seyfried and her co-stars “would just get up to no good,” adding to the carefree, high-energy atmosphere of the production.

Despite the film’s lighthearted and humorous approach, Seyfried believes that Mean Girls continues to resonate with audiences because of Tina Fey’s sharp writing and the relatable portrayal of the teenage experience. “I think Tina Fey just wrote such a beautiful reflection of what it’s like to be a teenage girl,” she said. “It’s really helpful for parents and kids, because we make fun of the assholes, and the good, kind kids who are trying to figure out who they are prevail.”

Since its release, Mean Girls has become a cultural touchstone, spawning a made-for-TV sequel, a Broadway musical, and even a new film adaptation in 2024. Seyfried has expressed her pride in the film’s lasting impact, adding that it “stands the test of time” and remains “a beacon” for audiences of all ages. “I love it. I love when people tell me they love Mean Girls,” she shared.

Seyfried’s candid reflections on Mean Girls, coupled with her admiration for Marilyn Monroe’s influence on her role as Karen, showcase the actress’s appreciation for both classic cinema and the beloved teen comedy that helped launch her career. For Seyfried, Mean Girls will always be more than just a film — it’s a testament to the enduring power of humor, friendship, and the complexities of adolescence.