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“Mean girls“star Jonathan Bennett opens up about the magic of the classic film and gives thanks for a new chapter in his career. In an exclusive interview, Bennett, who recently teamed up with Ninja to launch the company’s latest product, PREPi, discussed the lasting impact of the 2004 film, his return to daytime television, and how a new kitchen appliance has become a staple of his busy routine.
Jonathan Bennett reflects on the enduring magic of ‘Mean Girls’ and the importance of October 3
“Mean Girls” has become a pop culture phenomenon, spawning series and a Broadway musical. The original film, which starred Bennett opposite Lindsay Lohan, was released more than 20 years ago, but it’s especially relevant every fall when fans celebrate the memorable “October 3rd” scene.
Bennett never thought the two-second scene would become one of the most memorable in the film, but 20 years later, he understands why it has resonated with fans. “I think the reason it’s so big and such a big part of people’s lives is because ‘Mean Girls’ is more than a movie. It’s a part of people’s lives. They talk about it. They dress like it. They repeat it.
Jonathan Bennett says returning to daytime TV has been a ‘blessing’
After “Mean Girls,” Bennett’s career skyrocketed as he appeared in more box office hits like “Cheaper by the Dozen 2,” TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars,” and later became a staple on the Hallmark Channel and the Food Network.
In 2026, he began starring in the long-running soap opera, “General Hospital,” as Joe Fitzpatrick, a detective with the Port Charles Police Department. And while the role is new for Bennett, daytime television is not. Between 2001 and 2002, he appeared as JR Chandler in “All My Children,” so a return to form felt like a comeback.
According to Bennett, stepping back into the world of daytime TV on one of the most popular shows is a “blessing” the actor is not taking lightly. “To step into that institution with the legends of the day, like Sonny and Laura and all the names and faces, when you see them, you go, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s so and so,’ you know? It’s a blessing for me to do this and get to work with great people,” he said.
Elsewhere during our conversation with Bennett, the Broadway star discussed his exciting new partnership with Ninja, the world’s leading global production and design technology company, and boasted about his latest device, the PREPi.
According to an official press release, the Precision-Powered Prep + Ninja Prep + Store System “handles timely dicing, chopping, slicing, peeling, puréeing and even crinkling.” The compact design saves kitchen space with a reusable bowl, making food easy to serve, refrigerate or take on the go.
“Even a simple meal can feel like a project once you include the preparation and cleanup,” said DJ Hageman, VP of Marketing at Ninja. “It can mean knives for cutting, multiple cutting boards, serving bowls and containers for leftovers. We created Ninja PREPi™ to bring these steps together to make cooking easier for home cooks, with a fresh look at a category not usually the focus of kitchen innovation.”
More about the Ninja PREPi
The Ninja PREPi comes in several different colors, including Midnight Blue and Mango, Pink Peppercorn, Stone and Moss, and Onyx and Apricot.
Each model includes a 500-watt motor base, 5-cup and 7-cup PREPi bowls, two storage lids, a Chop & Purée blade, a reversible slice & shred disc, and a crinkle disc.
The product is now available on SharkNinja.com for $179, with the Dicing model available for $229.
Bennett is impressed with Ninja’s latest product
Speaking about his latest business venture, Bennett said that partnering with Ninja to launch the PREPi was a no-brainer, especially since it came in a vibrant pink color. But that’s not the only thing Bennett loves about Ninja’s latest machine. According to him, cooking his meals with the PREPi has “changed my life.”
“It’s a product I can 100% get behind and a company I can 100% stand behind as a spokesperson because it has changed my life with my food, 100 percent,” he said. “I can prepare, and then it’s stored in the same bowl, so I just take that bowl from using the Ninja PREPi, I throw it in the fridge, and then I take that bowl to work in the morning, and that’s my salad with all my clean vegetables and everything I need. So I only have to wash one dish, and this is my meal preparation.”
