![]() ![]() ![]() If you think about it, the classic portrayal of Queen Bees as automatically mean and shallow shows condescension towards teen audiences. ![]() Do what feels good to you”- Euphoria 2x04. The last thing you need is to feel worse because you’re not feeling something you’re supposed to feel. But more fundamentally, Maddy moves the Queen Bee character in a new direction because she’s framed as both a popular girl and (gasp) a good person. The show also has a more ensemble focus, so Maddy gets depth instead of just being a one-dimensional supporting character. Part of the difference between Maddy and the typical Queen Bee stems from Euphoria not being a comedy, so that means Maddy’s not written as a cartoonish villain or a one-note joke. So while other It girls are (at least partially) born into their status, Maddy makes herself into a person others admire. Even as a little girl, Maddy notices class differences and becomes determined to change her position in the hierarchy. But Maddy is Latina and seems to come from a middle class background. Queen Bees tend to come from privilege – they’re mostly very wealthy and very white, reflecting how real-world popularity often is tied to material advantages. And the show also lets us see Maddy in very private, scary moments, when she is terrified and hurt by Nate. She talks to her friends about what hurts her, especially about Nate, even if she still makes sure to sound calm and matter-of-fact. With the more comedic Queen Bees their anger is left mostly unexplained (and therefore unjustified), but with Maddy, we get to actually see the vulnerability behind the fierce exterior. Psychologists know that anger is often a way to hide other emotions, like sadness. They tend to hide their weakness to maintain their image of a strong leader. That’s why – while it’s a win for Regina George’s followers to turn on her – it’s heartbreaking when Maddy’s bestie Cassie betrays her by sleeping with Maddy’s ex Nate. She listens and pays attention to her friends’ inner lives. And Maddy isn’t just nicer than other Queen Bees, she’s a genuinely good friend – empathetic, fiercely loyal, and loving. She’s not too image-obsessed to be publicly friendly with Cassie’s shy little sister Lexi and her friend Rue. But Maddy is still best friends with her childhood friend Kat, who wouldn’t fit, for example, Regina George’s harsh body standards. Another common “popular kid” trope is that they have a friend in middle school who they ditch for not growing up to be “cool” enough. Regina’s plastics practically wear a uniform, while when Cassie dresses like Maddy, Maddy’s weirded out. Maddy is friends with a more varied group. ![]() Queen Bees always have a tight posse, but most seem to choose their friends based on superficial qualities –making it more about how useful her followers are to reinforce her power and popularity. So while other Queen Bees are respected outwardly but secretly hated, Maddy is truly respected. When she attacks someone, it’s typically because they actually did something wrong, not just because she wants someone to pick on. Maddy can be harsh (and violent), but there’s justice to her anger. Heathers’ ringleader Heather Chandler plays sadistic games of croquet. Mean Girls’ Regina George rules over her cohort with an iron fist. So what makes Maddy such a special version of the high school Queen Bee?Ĭhapter One: Maddy’s Heart – what makes her different Maddy is the character you get if you take the Alpha “mean girl” seriously and look into what made her and what it’s like to be her. She also has bigger actual problems than, say, a few unwanted pounds of weight gain. The difference is, Maddy’s a really good friend, rather than a cruel despot, and her anger tends to be justified, not indiscriminate. But when a Regina George-type is sabotaged, we cheer along, while audiences want to see Maddy succeed. Like the stereotypical “Mean Girl” ringleader, she’s popular, has lots of confidence and, well… some anger issues. Maddy Perez is the Queen Bee of Euphoria High, but unlike the cruel Heathers and Regina Georges we’re used to, she has a heart. Nate: “Cause you’re smart and cruel… but not really…” -Euphoria, 2x04 Like the stereotypical “Mean Girl” ringleader, she’s popular, has lots of confidence, and some anger issues… The difference is, Maddy’s a really good friend, rather than a cruel despot, and her anger tends to be justified, not indiscriminate. ![]()
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