No Longer the Dumb Blonde – Lessons in Being Yourself

No Longer the Dumb Blonde – Because I Never Was 

In many rom-coms of the early 2000s and 2010s depicted an unassuming blonde-haired character, oftentimes a member of a sorority who has experienced an life event that forces her to become a better, albeit smarter, version of herself. 

For instance, the technicolor classic, "Legally Blonde" introduces viewers to the blonde bombshell Elle Woods, the Delta Nu President who is dump by her boyfriend who needs someone "serious" if he wants to become a lawyer someday. In her attempt to win him back, Elle gets accepted into Harvard Law School with an almost perfect score of 179/180 on the LSAT. At Harvard, she suffers animosity and disrespectful behavior due to others' preconceived notions that her hair color equates to her level of intelligence.

But — once she realizes that people would never believe in her as she is, Elle decides to get serious about law school. 

Cue the montage where she goes to the library, "is she carrying books?" 

Another romantic-comedy is the 2008 film "The House Bunny," starring Anna Faris and Emma Stone. A similar situation happens to the lead character Shelley Darlingson, a Playboy bunny turned sorority house mother who crushes on a smart frat guy and decides to put away the bunny ears in favor of a library card. Shelley like Elle gets respect by showing others that they are more than a blonde beauty. 

A bit about Shelley Darlingson: Shelley was an orphan who was considered an ugly duckling but she, herself, was quite bright. However, once she grew up into the beautiful swan that could land her a cover of Playboy someday, she notices that men didn't like her for her brains, so she decides to dumb it up and use her looks to her advantage.

But — did Elle & Shelley change themselves for the wrong reasons? Somewhat.

Elle Woods most likely wouldn't have become academically-focused if Warner hadn't humiliated her nor would she had gone to Harvard if not for being dumped. However, she does prove one thing, which is told by the quote, "I'll show you how valuable Elle Woods can be!"

Lesson #1: Never underestimate others or yourself 

Both "Legally Blonde" and "The House Bunny" depict two women who teach us that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

Lesson #2: Never try to fit the mold set by others 

While Shelley and Elle both initially change for the love of a man they soon found that being themselves is far more awarding.

And — perhaps, the dumb Blonde character was never really dumb but she was less likely to be treated as inferior or disrespected once people realize she was beauty and brains.

Is it coincidental that Elle Woods wears a Bunny costume to the party which was a catalyst for both Shelley & Elle to become "serious"? 🤔 

Lesson #3: Don't change yourself to fit others' expectations of you. Wear pink and be confident no matter what. 

Shelley Darlingson/The House Bunny

The House Bunny 

Directed by Fred Wolf, "The House Bunny" was released on August 22, 2008 is a quintessential romantic-comedy. 

Plot Synopsis – Playboy Bunny Shelley Darlingson has lived a life of luxury at Hugh Hefner's mansion. Disaster strikes, however, when Shelley turns 27 and is deemed as too old to be a Bunny. Kicked out into the real world, the girl ambles onto a college campus and tries to join a sorority. Finding a sorority made up of geeky, awkward girls - Zeta Alpha Zeta - Shelley teaches them the art of attracting boys, as only a Playboy Bunny can.