Lizzy Caplan Fought For Her Iconic Janis Role

Lizzy Caplan shared details about her challenging journey to portray Janis Ian in the 2004 film Mean Girls. She explained that the audition process was exceptionally lengthy and competitive, as she passionately pursued the role after reading the script. Caplan disclosed that the studio had initially considered Kelly Osbourne for Janis, a fact that prompted Caplan and a Canadian hairstylist to use dark wigs and gothic styling to create screen grabs demonstrating her potential for the part.

Securing the role was a significant achievement for Caplan, who described the moment she received the phone call as purely exciting. Beyond the professional success, Caplan found the production itself to be a formative experience. Living in a hotel during the three-month shoot in Toronto simulated a dorm environment, which she found invaluable.

Caplan, who missed out on a traditional college experience, felt that filming Mean Girls fulfilled that "college experience itch." She cherished the camaraderie with co-stars Daniel Franzese and Jonathan Bennett, fondly recalling their time exploring Toronto. The entire experience of being part of the film felt monumental to her at the time.