Character guide
Damian
from Mean Girls
Damian is Janis's exuberant best friend and the show's other narrator in Mean Girls, Tina Fey's 2018 musical based on her own 2004 film.
- Show
- Mean Girls
- Broadway premiere
- 2018
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Jeff Richmond
Damian: from the film to Broadway
Broadway compared with the 2004 film and 2024 movie musical
Damian's surname changes between versions: he is Damian Leigh in the 2004 film, played by Daniel Franzese, and Damian Hubbard in the Broadway musical and 2024 movie musical. Grey Henson originated the stage role in 2018 and earned a Tony nomination; Jaquel Spivey played him on screen in 2024.
The 2024 film cost Damian his two biggest stage showcases. Where Do You Belong?, in which he and Janis explain the school's cliques to Cady, and the Act Two number Stop were both among the 14 Broadway songs cut. Spivey still sings A Cautionary Tale, Apex Predator, and Revenge Party.
Damian: role facts
- Originated on Broadway by
- Grey Henson (2018)
- Notable performers
- Jaquel Spivey played Damian in the 2024 film.
- Voice type and range
- Tenor (belt, pop/rock)
- Songs Damian sings
- A Cautionary Tale (with Janis)
- Where Do You Belong? (with Janis, Cady and ensemble)
- Meet the Plastics (with the Plastics, Janis and Cady)
- Revenge Party (with Janis, Cady and company)
- A Cautionary Tale (Reprise) (with Janis)
- Stop (lead, with Karen and ensemble)
- Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise) (with Cady and Janis)
Who is Damian?
Damian is Janis's loyal best friend, openly gay, theatrical, and quick with a joke, serving alongside her as one of Cady's first real friends at her new school. He helps devise and narrate the plan to have Cady take down the Plastics, often functioning as the show's guide directly addressing the audience.
Despite his comic energy, Damian is a steady, supportive presence throughout the story, offering Cady honest perspective even as she strays from their advice. His friendship with Janis, tested but never broken by the events of the show, provides one of its most consistent emotional throughlines.
Damian's role in Mean Girls
Damian is a supporting role built for big personality and comic showmanship, most notably in his number "Where Do You Belong," which doubles as an introduction to the show's social landscape. The role calls for sharp comic timing and an ability to command the stage in narrator mode.
Grey Henson originated the role on Broadway, earning a Tony nomination for a performance widely praised as one of the show's comic highlights. Audiences remember Damian for his warmth and humor, often cited as a fan favorite supporting character in the show.
Damian: frequently asked questions
What is Damian's full name in Mean Girls?
In the Broadway musical, Damian's full name is Damian Hubbard, and the 2024 movie musical uses the same surname. He is Janis's best friend and, alongside her, one of the first people to befriend Cady Heron when she arrives at her new school.
Was Damian nominated for a Tony Award?
Yes. Grey Henson earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for originating Damian Hubbard when Mean Girls opened on Broadway in 2018, one of the show's twelve nominations that season. He lost to Ari'el Stachel of The Band's Visit, and Mean Girls did not win in any category.
What song does Damian sing in Mean Girls?
Damian's signature number is Where Do You Belong?, which he sings with Janis as they explain the school's cliques to Cady. He also opens the show with Janis in A Cautionary Tale and leads the Act Two number Stop with Karen and the ensemble.
What show is Damian from?
Damian is a supporting character in Mean Girls, which opened on Broadway in 2018.
Is Damian a lead or supporting role?
Damian is a supporting role who co narrates the show with Janis.
Who wrote the music for Mean Girls?
Jeff Richmond composed the music, with lyrics by Nell Benjamin and a book by Tina Fey.
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