Dressed in a hot pink frock for the Mean Girls press tour, Busy Philipps appeared to be channeling her “cool mom” character, Mrs. George, in the recently released musical remake of the cult 2004 teen comedy of the same name.
Busy Philipps Reflects on Playing the ‘Cool Mom’ in Mean Girls Musical
Although her new role is “queen bee” Regina George’s cool mom, Mrs. June George, who’s desperate to look young and fit in with the teens, Busy Philipps recently admitted in an interview with Today Show that she is not as cool in real life as her character depicts.
When host Hoda Kotb asked her what kind of mom she was in real life, Philipps, a mother of two, said she was “an incredibly communicative mom.”
“And I’m really open to letting my kids have their own autonomy. It’s hard when you grow up and your mom is in the spotlight, and you feel like you have to share your mom. Or people have an idea of who your mom is. And it’s really important to me that they get me and also that they get to be themselves.”
Busy Philipps drops by Today Show to talk about Mean Girls musical remake on January 10, 2024 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Real-Life Parenting: Busy Philipps on Balancing Fame and Family
In addition, Kotb asked Philipps how she manages to navigate her attention on her kids, daughter Birdie, 15, and son Cricket, 10, while still being in the public eye.
“I think it’s really complicated. And we just try to talk about it. For Birdie, who really grew up on the set of Cougar Town- cause she was 6 months old when I did the pilot and she was 8 when we stopped filming the show-she gets it more than Cricket, who really hasn’t been around me as an actor. And sitting in the theater for Mean Girls for the premiere was the first time Cricket, realized, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s never seen me in anything.‘”
She also mentioned that her daughter thought it was “weird” to see her on the big screen.
“She’s like, ‘This is weird.‘ And so we talked about it the next day and I was like, ‘You know, was that too much for you? Did you not like it?’ And she’s like, ‘I don’t think I want to watch things you’re in. It was weird.’ And I was like, ‘I get it.’ And she’s like, ‘Luckily you’re not in the movie much.’”
Busy Philipps on Motherhood: ‘I’m Their Mother, Not Their Friend
In an interview with People, Philipps shared her kids didn’t think she was cool.
“I think I’m cool, but my kids don’t think I’m cool. And I’m aware of that. I also think I’m very clear on the fact that I’m their mother and not their friend so that definitely makes me uncool.”
Fashion Spotlight: Busy Philipps’ Stunning Barbiecore Ensemble
Ahead of the show, Busy Philipps turned heads outside the studio as she was decked out in a bright pink dress by Dolce and Gabbana, designed with black sleeve trims and a hem cut a few inches above her knees.
She layered the minidress underneath a thick, hot pink fleece coat draped over her arms.
Judging by Philipps’ look, Barbiecore clearly hasn’t petered out yet. She kept the look cohesive by concealing her eyes behind retro-style pink-framed acetate sunglasses and carrying her essentials in a pink velvet Gucci bag with a gold-tone chain handle and an embroidered design.
Busy Philipps is a cool mom in her pink Dolce & Gabbana mini dress and hot pink fleece coat styled with pink sunglasses and a pink Gucci bag (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Karla Welch curated Philipps’ ensemble, which she finished with classic black pointy pumps made of patent leather by Brazilian shoe brand Schutz.
To keep attention to her outfit, hairstylist Kristin Heitkotter pulled Philipps’s blonde hair back into a sleek ponytail, tying it with a black ribbon to create a Barbie-esque look and showcase her dangling hoop earrings.
Tina Turnbow perfectly matched the Barbiecore aesthetic with radiant pink makeup, highlighting her lips with glossy nude pink lipstick.
Busy Philipps completes her Barbie look with a high ponytail and rosy pink makeup (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)
Busy Philipps Matchy-Matchy With Daughter Birdie in Retro Dresses at Mean Girls Premiere
Busy Philipps brought along her eldest daughter, Birdie Leigh, at the premiere of her latest movie, Mean Girls, held at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City last week.
Making a rare red carpet appearance together, the mother-and-daughter duo decided to wear matching retro ensembles. Busy donned a polka-dot dress, and her eldest in a satin checkered mini dress.
Birdie’s dress was a vintage find from Le Grand Strip. It was a lustrous satin minidress in pastel blue, white, and silver checks designed with a center zip, a high neck, long sleeves, and crystal buttons.
Birdie didn’t stop at the outfit; she kept the retro aesthetic going by opting for a bouffant hairstyle, with retro curls cascading around her shoulders, and accessorizing with a white satin headband that matched her white pumps.
Busy Philipps and her daughter Birdie don matching retro-style dresses at the premiere of Mean Girls held at AMC Lincoln Square on January 8, 2024 (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)
The White Chicks actress looked stunning in a strapless polka-dot gown by La Jolla-based high-end womenswear label Alexia Maria, specializing in feminine and classic styles.
It had a column silhouette and a large bow-back sash that tightened the waist, giving the retro style a polished touch and a flattering look.
She continued with her look’s retro vibe by adding a pair of black opera gloves.
Busy Philipps stuns in a strapless black-and-white polka-dot dress by Alexia Maria with retro black opera gloves (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto)
Karla Welch enhanced Philipps’ black-and-white throwback look with the one-of-a-kind Lapis Gumball drop earrings by Irene Neuwirth.
She then held her evening essentials in Tyler Ellis’ signature “Lee Pouchet” envelop clutch in Black Diamond Satin and boosted her 5’6” height with the Gia Borghini x Pernille Teisbaek “Perni” mules.
Made in Italy from black patent leather, these modern minimalist mules feature pointed peep toes set atop a 3-inch heel. You can find them on sale at Mytheresa in different colors.
Busy Philipps pairs her monochromatic outfit with the Gia Borghini Perni heels made in collaboration with influencer model Pernille Teisbaek (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Paramount / Startraksphoto)
Kindra Mann highlighted Philipps’ blue eyes with glittering eyeshadow and mascara and added a swipe of peachy blush with nude pink lipstick to her monochromatic look.
Kristin Heitkotter, meanwhile, parted the actress’ blonde hair in the middle and styled it in a chic updo.
Busy Philipps glams up with glittery eye-makeup, pink lips, and Irene Neuwirth Lapis Gumball drop earrings (Credit: Marion Curtis / StarPix for Paramount / Startraksphoto)