Molly Ringwald Criticizes 'Brat Pack' Label as Pejorative

Molly Ringwald has expressed her disdain for the term 'Brat Pack,' coined by journalist David Blum in a 1985 article to describe a group of young actors, including herself, who starred in iconic films like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. During a recent reunion panel at MegaCon Orlando, she referred to the label as 'a pejorative' that minimized their contributions to cinema. Ringwald emphasized that the term was a play on the Rat Pack and felt that it reduced the significance of their work. Fellow Brat Pack member Andrew McCarthy also criticized the label, noting its personal ramifications and the pressures it imposed on them. Blum, reflecting on the term in a 2024 piece, acknowledged the unintended consequences of his article, stating he did not foresee the lasting impact it would have on the actors' careers. This ongoing dialogue highlights the complex legacy of the Brat Pack and its members' evolving perspectives on their identities as young stars.