Allison Winn on Joining the New Mean Girls Musical and Bringing New Life to Caroline Krafft
As a dancer, singer and actor, Allison Winn is the definition of a triple threat, and she shows off all of her skills in the new Mean Girls musical film, in theaters today, Jan. 12.
Allison appears in the film alongside Renée Rapp, Angourie Rice, Auli'i Cravalho and more, playing the role of Caroline Krafft. If you're a fan of the 2004 classic version of the movie, you might already have an idea of what Caroline is like, but we promise you that Allison's take in the 2024 version is full of surprises. Based on both the original movie and the 2018 Broadway musical, this iteration of Mean Girls beautifully combines the memorable quotes and nostalgia of the series we know and love, with great songs and a few twists and turns along the way to keep us all on our toes. We got the chance to speak with Allison about the role and what it means to bring a new version of Caroline Krafft to the screen in the interview below.
Sweety High: When did you discover your passion for acting? Was there any specific a-ha moment that made you realize it was the path for you?
Allison Winn: I grew up dancing from a very young age, so being a performer was already a part of my identity and I knew I wanted to pursue it as a career. But as I got older, I began to appreciate the idea of dancers also needing to be actors and became more and more curious about acting as a result. So, between dance and watching classic movies, it happened slowly over time for me and I gained more confidence as I started working.
(Photo credit: Corey Hayes)
SH: Have you always been a Mean Girls fan? What does it mean to you to join such a beloved franchise?
AW: Always! It's very surreal to have been a long-time fan, on the outside looking in, and now actually be a part of the Mean Girls universe—or is it a multiverse? Either way, it's all just so exciting.
SH: What can you tell us about your character, Caroline? What is her role in the film?
AW: Caroline Krafft squares off against Cady Heron during the final Mathletes competition. In the 2004 film, Caroline represents everything Cady is afraid of being herself—openly smart, awkward and unglamorous. But in 2024, Caroline Krafft is a very different version of Cady's fears. You'll have to see the movie to find out more!
(Photo credit: Corey Hayes)
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SH: How similar are you to Caroline in real life? What would you say are your biggest similarities and differences?
AW: Unlike Caroline, I am terrible at math, and for me—the limit does exist. But I do relate to Caroline in other ways and think we could have been friends in high school. We are both very focused and intense about our passions, so I think there would be a mutual respect there.
SH: What was it like to play this character with so much to draw from, including the original film and the existing musical?
AW: From the beginning, I sensed that 2024 Caroline was going to be different than anything previously done. So I had a lot of fun studying past performances and then finding new ways to subvert expectations.
(Photo credit: Corey Hayes)
SH: What was your most memorable moment from the set?
AW: Team Marymount really bonded, and we choreographed our own team dance behind the scenes! Shoutout to my boys Ben, Fernell and Calidore!
SH: What part of the movie are you most excited for fans to see when it comes out?
AW: I think I'm just overall excited to see fans' reactions to the updates as well as the nostalgic moments. Tina Fey and the directors (Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr.) found some really clever ways to hit the refresh button on this beloved story while making sure it's still a love letter to the original.
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SH: Where else can we see your work right now?
AW: Some other projects I'm really proud of are Vox Lux, Boarding School and Tape, which can all be rented on Amazon.
(Photo credit: Corey Hayes)
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
AW: For more updates, please come follow along @allisonwinn on Instagram.
For more insights from our favorite up-and-coming actors, click HERE to read our interview with Percy Jackson and The Olympians star Charlie Bushnell.