CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Chesterfield actor John El-Jor makes his ‘pink’ screen debut in the movie-turned-musical Mean Girls, topping the box office charts.
Before securing his role in the 2024 Mean Girls movie, 23-year-old El-Jor began his acting career in Midlothian High School’s musical theatre program. It was midway through his high school career that he caught “the bug” for acting and began conceptualizing a career for himself in the arts.
After graduating from Midlothian High School, El-Jor went on to pursue a degree in musical theatre at Penn State in 2022. Once he received his degree, he began going to casting calls in New York City.
In Mean Girls, El-Jor stars as Jason Weems – the hot and cold boyfriend of Gretchen Weiners. However, El-Jor originally auditioned to play the character Kevin G., the infamous “mathlete” of the film, but he never heard back on the role.
El-Jor said he was later asked to read for the role of Jason Weems, and described to 8News the moments leading up to hearing back about his audition.
“I remember twiddling my thumbs because I hadn’t heard [back] in so long,” El-Jor said. “And it was a movie musical, and the way I got into acting was through musical theatre.”
After what felt like an eternity of waiting and an eventual breakdown on his ex’s couch, El-Jor received the call-back. He said the first thing he did when he received the exciting news was call his mom.
“You know, you’re never too old to be a mommy’s boy. I was just giddy; I was jumping for joy,” El-Jor said.
El-Jor detailed the surreal experience of watching himself on the big screen for the first time at the Mean Girls movie premiere.
“The first time I saw it – whoa, I was a nervous wreck,” El-Jor said. “I think my first instinct was to hyper-analyze myself and criticize myself, just an artist – or even human – thing to do.”
While El-Jor considers himself a pretty chill, cool-tempered person, he told 8news he was starstruck when he met the writer of the film, Tina Fey, for the first time.
“Come on it’s Tina Fey, it’s someone hard not to be starstruck by,” El-Jor said. “I remember the first time I met Tina Fey. She actually pulled me aside and introduced herself. I was too afraid to talk to her.”
Though his role in Mean Girls is just the beginning for the Chesterfield actor, El-Jor shared his plans for the future which involved pursuing his passion for songwriting and music, as well as acting.
“I want to continue doing this, in whatever way that means,” El-Jor said. “I hope to take on roles that stretch me as both an actor and a person.”
