Final Thoughts

WELL YOU MADE IT TO THE END OF THE BOOK and you didn’t get hit by a bus. So, I would consider that a huge success. I hope you enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. To say that being Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls changed my life is a big understatement. I have so much gratefulness in my heart for this film and for being able to be a part of it.

I admit at first, I didn’t enjoy being called Aaron Samuels everywhere I went. People from all over, like baristas writing “Aaron” on my coffee cup, and teens running up and asking me if they could push my hair back, or if I could make them a video for their friend asking what day it was. (It’s October 3rd.) The stigma was inescapable. Being Aaron Samuels even became annoying as an actor because I had done dozens of other films and TV shows and wanted to be known for much more than the guy who was victimized by Regina George. But as the love of Mean Girls grew and grew over the years so did my love of being Aaron Samuels. And I’ll tell you when that really kicked in.

A few years before he died, I was at Applebee’s with my father, David Bennett, who always liked to brag to waitresses about his son’s acting accomplishments. After the meal, when he offered our waitress to take a photo of her and I, I’d had enough and got mad at him. Yes, I still smiled and took the photo with the young waitress, but when she giggled away I snapped at him, “Dad, can you not do that everywhere we go? I just want to eat dinner.” I stormed out of the restaurant and sat in the car. A few moments later he walked out and said, “I know it can be annoying, Jon, but I want you to see something.” He pointed inside through the window to where there were five girls hovering around a phone, giggling with huge smiles on their faces. One of them was even on the verge of tears.

“It might be annoying to you sometimes, but look at their faces, look how happy you just made them. When was the last time you saw someone that happy?” he said.

He was right.

The funny thing about Mean Girls that I’ve learned from fans over the years is that it’s not just a movie, it’s become a household name as well. It’s a movie that is watched over and over countless times. Fans can quote almost every line of the movie, start to finish, and they use some of the quotes in life almost every day. It’s the movie that you watch on repeat in your dorm when one of your girlfriends goes through a breakup. It’s the only movie you want to watch when you’re sick or hungover, lying on the couch covered in blankets. And the reason fans love it so much is because of the brilliant work of Tina Fey bringing characters and situations to life that everyone can relate to.

In addition, Tina brought awareness to bullying in high school in a creative comedic way, and that opened up the huge dialogue that started addressing the serious issue in high schools across the country. So, to all the fans who have been victimized by a Regina George: You are not alone. We see you, we hear you, and we will fight for you. The time for bullying is over.

I would like to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for letting me be a part of your life as Aaron Samuels. Thank you for pushing my hair back and thank you for lifting me up, and thank you for always supporting me.

Ya know I really didn’t need to make a speech—gosh can I wrap it up?

Sure Mr. Duvall, I guess there’s nothing left to say except: Grool.