You Should See Me in a Crown

Gabi is Liz’s best friend since childhood. Liz describes Gabi by saying, “Fashion is her everything. It’s why she’s already such a talented designer that she got accepted early into the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York for the fall. When G knows what she wants, nothing keeps her from getting it” (22). Gabi’s love of fashion comes to play when she begins designing outfits for Liz to wear during her bid for prom queen. Gabi is immersed in the town of Campbell; she is just as wealthy as the others and she knows just how conservative and antiquated the town can be. Gabi is determined to help Liz win prom queen, but this combined with her recognition of the town’s prejudices, results in her trying to change Liz to fit the image of Campbell prom queen. Gabi unwittingly suggests that Liz’s sexuality is something that she should be ashamed of, and hidden.

After this incident and the revelation that Gabi hid an important letter from Jordan that could have repaired his friendship with Liz, the rift between Gabi and Liz grows wider. Gabi is frequently described as always being dressed to the nines with her makeup and hair done. However, as things come to a head between her and Liz, Liz notices that “she’s wearing joggers, and sure they’re the stylish kind from H&M, but she never wears sweatpants” (134). Gabi’s state of mind is reflected by the amount of effort she puts into her outward appearance. Gabi is overwhelmed by the drama of her parents finally getting a divorce, but instead of speaking to Liz about it, is instead fueled by her jealousy towards Liz’s friendship and relationship with Jordan and Amanda. Gabi finally apologizes to Liz for making her feel like she needed to hide any part of her. She takes responsibility for hurting Liz and this allows them both to move forward with their friendship. 

Liz describes Rachel as looking like “an Instagram model even as she sheds a bucketful of fake tears” (9). Rachel is the primary antagonist of the novel. She frequently bullies Liz and openly makes comments about her race. At the first informational meeting about prom court, Rachel directs a question about affirmative action affecting the scores. Liz admits that she and Rachel have never liked each other. Liz thinks of Rachel, “We’ve been battling back and forth for everything since the second grade: spelling bee champion (I won), field day distance winner (I’m not an athlete, but my legs are incredibly long—I beat her by half a second), and now valedictorian (all mine, baby)” (28). Rachel is not only openly competitive with Liz, but also actively hates her. She uses Liz’s class, race, and sexuality against her.

Rachel is the picture of Campbell privilege. When her popularity dips after she tackles Liz during the powder puff football game, Rachel uses her family’s money to make donations to the ASPCA. They flaunt this donation in order to improve people’s opinions of Rachel. Rachel is entitled and believes that she deserves to be prom queen. It is this entitlement and prejudice against Liz that ultimately gets her disqualified from the race. At the end of the novel, it becomes clear that Rachel blames Liz for everything. She tells Liz that she’s “not even supposed to be here!” (187). Rachel has a wealth of resentment towards Liz; though Liz has worked hard for everything that she achieves, Rachel still feels like she is better than her because of her wealth and race and thus worthy of things that Liz is not. 

Jordan is Liz’s ex-best friend. He is biracial and one of the only other Black students in Campbell high school. Liz describes him as “almost too cute to stare at for more than a few seconds at a time” with “smooth brown skin, his waves where his curls used to be, he really looks like he belongs in a teen soap opera—all effortlessly flawless or whatever” (10). Jordan and his family are extremely wealthy; most of them are athletes and thus manage to sidestep most of the discrimination and prejudice that Liz feels in full force. Jordan used to be best friends with Liz before he shunned her on the first day of high school. Jordan did not step in to defend Liz when another student makes a comment about her hair. He even insists that he does not like Liz. That moment severely affects Liz, resulting in her desperate attempt to be invisible in the halls of the high school.

As they spend more time together throughout the prom competition, Jordan and Liz slowly begin to rekindle their friendship. Jordan reveals that he wrote an apology letter to Liz, and it is revealed that Gabi intentionally never delivered the letter. Jordan is mature and kind; he loves his girlfriend Emme dearly and is able to open up about her to Liz. Of all of his high school friends, Jordan has only ever trusted Emme and Liz. Throughout the novel, Jordan actively tries to help Liz win prom queen, remembers how to stop her amidst a panic attack, and goes out of his way to show her his support and care. 

Britt is the third member of Liz’s friend group. She is often used as some comedic relief and as a direct foil to Gabi’s character. Britt is described as having a “face full of piercings” (20). She’s eager to jump to Liz’s defense, and has even insinuated that she will fight people for her. Britt’s rough and tumble image is echoed in how often she “cracks her knuckles” (21). Britt is very supportive of Liz and is also one of the first people to suggest that superficial outfits may not be the reason why Rachel is in the lead to win prom queen. She says to Gabi, Stone, and Liz, “Maybe, just maybe, Rachel’s posters and makeup aren’t the things that have her in the lead. Has anyone considered that? Maybe it’s something more insidious than that? Like the fact that this is a system designed to benefit people like Rachel Collins?” (64). This awareness by Britt about the benefits of privilege is one that Gabi does not initially share, but that Amanda appears ready to call out from the very first prom information session. Britt’s recognition of this fact and her parents’ support for Liz, make her a genuine ally, “the kind that puts their money where their mouth is” (35). 

Stone is the fourth member of Liz’s friend group. She is described as extremely spiritual and as someone who believes in astrology, healing crystals, and horoscopes. When Stone learns of Liz’s failure to get the Pennington scholarship, she offers, “We can cleanse your clarinet and—” (21). Though she does not play as large a part in Liz’s prom strategy as Gabi does, Stone is responsible for crafting the algorithm that tells them roughly where in the polls Liz might be. 

Mr. K is the young band teacher and Liz’s favorite teacher at the high school. According to Liz, “…he’s still all excited every time he walks into the band room” (13). Mr. K is the one to drive Liz to her Pennington audition and the one to encourage her to arrange her own musical pieces. He is eager to help and clearly worried about Liz when she finally tells him that she failed to get the scholarship. Mr. K has cultivated a friendly and open atmosphere in the band room, one wherein Liz, who feels like the constant outsider, can feel comfortable and at peace. Mr. K eventually speaks to his advisor at Pennington and gets Liz another opportunity to audition for the orchestra. He is also responsible for fetching Mr. Wilson when Rachel begins shouting at Liz during prom. 

Emme Chandler is described as “Jordan’s girlfriend of three years, the sweetest person alive, and mysteriously disappeared shoo-in for prom queen” (11). According to Rachel, Emme disappears because she went to a rehabilitation center. Emme is the first choice for prom queen, but after disappearing, cedes that position to Rachel. Emme and Liz have always been friendly, and they only grow closer when she finally returns on the night of prom. She thanks Liz for being there for Jordan while she has been gone. Liz describes her: “Her white-blond hair is half up, half down and falling in loose waves down her back. Her silver dress is simple and sophisticated, like a young Grace Kelly” (185). It is clear that Emme is the picture of what Campbell County believes to be a worthy prom queen. Unlike Rachel, however, Emme doesn’t appear to care much about prom. Emme is just happy to be reunited with Jordan.

Liz’s Grandmother is a strict but loving maternal figure in her life. After Liz’s mother passed away, Granny and Grandad becomes Robbie and Liz’s guardians. Both Granny and Grandad would do anything for Liz, including selling the house so that they can afford to pay for Liz’s tuition at Pennington. This protective instinct and Liz’s desperate desire to protect them in turn is the catalyst for her participation in prom and the resulting events of the novel. Granny cares a great deal about her family; she continues to work at a nursing home and is the matriarch that insists everyone be home in time for dinner so that they can eat together. It is later revealed that she does so because Liz’s mother’s last wish was for Robbie and Liz to remain close with one another. She does a lot for the family and lives by the motto, the “small and mighty Lightys”; her ambition, drive, and fierce love for her family can also be seen in Liz (16). This is echoed in how hard Granny has worked to save up some money for Liz so that she can rest when she finally needs to do so. Granny was constantly asking her daughter to slow down, worried about her because of her illness. As a result, Granny does not want to ask Liz to slow down and temper herself. 

Grandad, much like Granny, loves and accept Liz and Robbie without question. The audience is introduced to Liz’s own comfort with her sexuality through her conversation with her grandfather. After telling Grandad that she likes girls, all he says is, “So are we giving up them waffle fries at Chick-fil-A now? Because, I’ll tell you what, them things are the closest I’ve ever felt to Heaven” (65). This response is playful and clearly displays how he has no other qualms about Liz’s sexuality. Later, when Grandad meets Amanda when she comes to pick Liz up for prom, he teases her as well. Grandad clearly cares for his grandchildren very much and is a source of stable calm for the family. Not much can bother Grandad, and he can often be found napping in the living room through the course of the novel. 

Robbie is Liz’s younger brother and most ardent supporter. He encourages Liz throughout her bid for prom court and frequently gives her pep talks in order to boost her confidence. Robbie is the primary reason why Liz applies to take part in the competition in the first place. Liz supports Robbie in return; due to his sickle cell disease, he is frequently sick and has to leave school. Robbie has also had a habit of not taking his medication when he believes that he’s gotten better, though this is something that the other Lightys have been desperate to correct him of. Robbie gets very sick and has to go to the hospital because of this later in the novel. The siblings feel responsible for one another in different ways. Robbie is aware that Liz often drops everything to take care of him, and he wants to push her to do something for herself. 

Amanda’s “red hair is cut into an asymmetrical bob that reveals a dandelion tattoo behind her right ear, and her outfit looks like she walked straight off a Thrasher Magazine cover—rolled black mom jeans, dirty bright-orange-and-white Vans, and a camo jacket over her FEMME THE FUTURE hoodie that she clearly has carefully bleached and distressed herself” (31). Liz’s description of Amanda speaks directly to her personality. Amanda is unlike anyone Liz knows, and her appearance speaks more to chaos than control. Amanda’s “nose is pierced with one simple emerald stud in the right nostril and two silver hoops in the other. I think for a second she might be ready to give Britt a run for her money as the most idgaf-I-wear-whatever-I-want student at Campbell” (31). Amanda is almost the polar opposite of Liz herself; though they have lots in common with one another, Amanda fully embraces who she is. Amanda is out and proud about her sexuality, with “a pride flag hanging up in her locker and everything,” she speaks up for the things in which she believes (65). The first time that Amanda and Liz meet, Amanda calls out Rachel’s racism when no one else does. Both Amanda and Liz bond over the loss of their mothers, their relationship with queerness, and their love for music. Amanda’s easy honesty and kindness draws Liz to her. She is a nervous talker but being around Liz calms her down. 

Dr. Lamont is Robbie’s former hematologist, and Dr. Fredrickson’s mentor. Liz describes her as a “tall, slender black woman in her mid-fifties” (80). She runs the Bryant House, which is “a cornerstone of the Indianapolis community—a day care, a summer camp, a refuge for neighborhood kids with nowhere else to go” (80). Dr. L organizes support groups for all the children and their families from the children’s hospital where she used to work. She is encouraging of Liz’s desire to become a doctor and supports her in her journey to do so.

Quinn is a popular, “bright blond” friend of Rachel’s (25). Her father is the dentist of the Colts and, as a result, she knows a great many things about football. Quinn is kind and friendly with Liz, going so far as to admit that Rachel has anger management problems. Throughout the novel, Quinn’s characterization changes drastically. She goes from silent complicity in the face of Rachel’s homophobia and racism, to a loud supporter and defender of Liz. Quinn eventually speaks out against Rachel, telling on her to Madame Simoné about the hate crime against Liz, and directly confronting Rachel when she begins to shout at Liz on prom night. Liz thinks that “Quinn Bukowski is the living embodiment of a person who contains multitudes”; Johnson uses Quinn’s character to showcase a person’s capacity to become a genuine ally (86). 

Madame Simoné is the resident French teacher and prom coordinator. Though she has lived in Campbell for her whole life, Madame Simoné always puts on a fake French accent. Liz describes her as someone who, “seems to just like to talk for the sake of talking. And I’m not into that, noise for the sake of noise” (27). Though Madame Simoné is present for all of the prom events and often witnesses Rachel’s racist and bullying behavior, she never intervenes. She repeatedly fails to stand up for Liz. When Liz gets in trouble for swearing on her campaign posters, Madame Simoné is disappointed in her. She tells Liz that she could be Campbell’s first Black queen, and it is evident that she believes Liz can only win if she conforms to who everyone thinks she should be.

It is not until Rachel’s smear campaign against Liz that Madame Simoné stands up for Liz and confronts Mr. Wilson. Madame Simoné says, “I’ve had enough. I believe in the sanctity of the institution of prom and how it can make us our best selves. And year after year I have watched as good, deserving young people don’t enter the race because of how they’ll be received. And I won’t let it happen again” (15). In this moment, she threatens Mr. Wilson with going to the press and revealing the many indiscretions the halls of Campbell have seen. Instead of staying silent, Madame Simoné finally uses her position of power to protect vulnerable students like Liz. 

Dr. Fredrickson is Robbie’s current hematologist. Liz describes her as having “long, slim fingers, in her late forties but already completely silver-haired” (163). Dr. Fredrickson is “one of the few black female hematologists in the state” and she was once Dr. Lamont’s protégé; Liz hopes that she will one day in turn be Dr. Frederickson’s mentee.