The actor explains why he believes his character’s straight storyline should remain unchanged.

A Thoughtful Stand on the Character

November 3, 2025: Jonathan Bennett, who famously played Aaron Samuels in the 2004 hit Mean Girls, recently shared his take on what he would like to see for his character in a possible sequel. While Bennett is openly gay himself, he insists that Aaron should remain straight in any future continuation of the franchise. He explained: “I think Aaron would be straight because I wouldn’t want to change the narrative of Aaron Samuels because Jonathan Bennett is gay.”

Respecting the Original Story

Bennett’s reasoning centres on preserving the story as audiences originally experienced it. He believes that altering the character’s sexuality would shift the foundational dynamic that made the character resonate. According to him, Aaron’s arc—his role as the popular heart-throb and Cady Heron’s crush—belongs firmly to the original narrative, and changing that now would feel disconnected from what made the film iconic.

Reflections on the Cast and Context

Interestingly, Bennett points out that many of the male cast members from the original Mean Girls—including himself—came out as gay in the years following the film’s release. He notes this as “just funny to me,” given how the characters and actors have evolved separately. Yet his preference for keeping Aaron’s storyline intact reflects a clear distinction between his personal identity and that of his character.

What Would a Sequel Look Like?

If a sequel were to happen, Bennett has shared ideas for how it might play out. He suggests a storyline where Aaron becomes a teacher and the original cast return as parents whose children attend the same school. He notes such a setup would appeal to both longtime fans of the film and a younger generation, but still keep Aaron’s original role and storyline intact.

Final Take

Bennett’s comments underline a key point: an actor’s personal identity and their character’s journey do not always need to align. While representation remains crucial, his view is that the story of Aaron Samuels is best preserved as it originally was. Whether audiences agree or not, his stance opens a broader conversation about how sequels should treat beloved characters—and how much they should evolve versus remain faithful to their roots.