Avantika Vandanapu dishes on the musical prep for the 'Mean Girls' musical adaptation and explains how she felt "at home" when it came to the dance numbers.
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00:00 The trailer of course says that this isn't your mother's Mean Girls.
00:04 So how do you think that this movie kind of connects to a new generation and a new audience?
00:09 I mean that was a little controversial, huh?
00:11 Look, I think the trailer...
00:14 It's like, okay, I love the movie, but I wasn't that old.
00:17 Like, okay girl, we want to buy tickets then. No. I think like, look.
00:21 I think it's made in a modern day world and it's targeting younger audiences,
00:26 but I think it really does carry the nostalgic moments that we know and love from the '04.
00:31 And we really did try to pay homage to it.
00:34 But in a way we're also kind of honoring this new way of being mean in the new day and age, you know what I mean?
00:41 Like, digital age, this line of being politically correct, but also saying things that kind of sting.
00:47 And I think that in that sense it may not be like the '04, but I think the essence, the core,
00:52 is the same as this wonderful universal movie that really touches the hearts of everyone.
00:57 What was the musical prep process like for you? And also all those choreography numbers.
01:02 Well, it was amazing.
01:03 Look, I've said it before, but I've up until now really only exclusively been a shower singer.
01:08 And so this is kind of like my first big song that I've sang.
01:12 And to sing it with a cast that has Ali, Cravalho, Renee Rapp, B.B. Wood,
01:17 like all these incredibly talented singers, I think it's obviously so intimidating.
01:21 But I tried my best. I definitely did feel at home with the dancing, though.
01:25 I grew up being a dancer, and so it kind of felt like something I was familiar with.
01:29 And so I was glad that I got to do something that felt like a little bit in my territory.
01:33 Well, no, I think you killed it. So give yourself a little bit of credit.
01:36 I do have to ask, I know that some of the Mean Girls cast got together for a commercial recently,
01:41 so they all reunited. Did you get to talk to Amanda or any of those girls for advice,
01:46 or just talk throughout filming and all?
01:48 I haven't been able to talk to Amanda, but I really, really, really would love to.
01:54 I admire her so, so much. And obviously she is my predecessor,
01:59 and so I think it's only right that I say hi to her and just get her blessing.
02:04 But yeah, I love her. I love you, Amanda.
02:07 And finally, last question. I know the original film, Iconic.
02:11 What's another iconic 2000s film that you would love to see as a musical next?
02:15 Ten Things I Hate About You. Please, please, I beg, I beg.
02:20 I know, a lot of people have been saying that one.
02:22 No, I mean, some movies you watch and you feel like they already are in a sense a musical,
02:28 and I think that film is one of those movies. I mean, please make it a musical.
02:32 Please cast me. Please give me an audition.
02:34 - I'm gonna get a lesion.
02:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]