HBICs are the “Head B*’s In Charge” who make it impossible to look away from the TV screen. With their commanding yet charming personalities, they lead the way in every category. From brains to beauty to talent and ambition, they’re unstoppable. HBICs aren’t always mean girls, who says a nice girl can’t be in charge? Whether they’re sour or sweet, they always assert their authority when crossed. Without them, TV would be lifeless and boring. Meet my favorite HBICs who could easily take over the world, but for now just have my heart!

5. Raina Thorpe, Gossip Girl (2007)

“The girl who has everything” is the one and only, Raina Thorpe. She has brains, beauty, class, and an alluring personality to top it all off. I can’t believe I didn’t know there was a Black girl on Gossip Girl, she ended up being the best surprise ever. Blair and Serena adored her; everyone either wanted to be her friend or BE HER. She carried herself gracefully even while becoming romantically involved with two best friends, Chuck and Nate. They couldn’t resist their obsession with her, and honestly, I can’t blame them. Raina is incredibly mesmerizing; her presence radiated genuine warmth and kindness. She had this tendency to invoke deep thoughts and feelings with just the simplest words, and people were drawn to her because of it.

Despite her sunshine attitude, Raina didn’t shy away from setting people straight and enforcing her boundaries. The way she carried herself was lovely, I thoroughly enjoyed her character and wish we got more of her. But lowkey… she was eating DOWN. It makes sense that they only had her for that season, if she was there any longer it would’ve been bad for the main girls. (hehe)

Raina is truly Gossip Girl’s very own Princess Diana. A rewatch is calling my name, I need to see her again!

4. Bianca Barclay, Wednesday (2022)

As opposed to being sweet like Raina, Bianca is more on the sour side, and I’m here for it. She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind and challenge others, and that makes her quite polarizing. Her character archetype is one of my favorites, I fell in love with her immediately.

Bianca Barclay excels in combat, academics, and supernatural abilities, all while maintaining a vicious face card. She loves winning and being on top and although she has a rather sharp tongue, there’s more to her than meets the eye. As crazy as it may sound, Bianca, originally named Brandy Jane, grew up in a cult with her mother. Rejecting their beliefs, she made a daring escape, adopted a new identity, and used her supernatural abilities to secure a spot at Nevermore Academy. While her admission process may have not been typical, she proved herself to be more than worthy by exceeding in her studies, fencing, swordsmanship, Siren abilities, and leadership. She’s one of the most popular students at Nevermore, and she didn’t use her powers to achieve that; her excellence was more than enough.

And that girl, Bianca Barclay, is the closest thing Nevermore has to royalty.

Even though Bianca can be harsh, she’s a sweetheart and I can’t wait to see where her story goes!

3. Selah Summers, Selah and the Spades (2019)

“What happened to Teala?”
“She flew too close to the sun and her wings melted.”
“And who’s the sun in that scenario?”

_{Lovie Simone as Selah Summers | photo by Jomo Fray}

Selah Summers is the Sun. I love wholesome characters; they’re just so cute and lighten up the mood, but I love destructive, controversial characters more. Female antagonists just do something for me, especially when they intrigue me like Selah does. Selah Summers is a senior at Haldwell, a prestigious boarding school that has five hidden factions, the Spades being one of them. When it comes to parties and fun, the Spades distribute booze, pills, and powders to whoever’s interested. They’re essentially drug dealers and some may say mobsters based on the way they’ve handled things, and Selah’s in charge.

On the outside, Selah appears to be a normal schoolgirl whose primary focus is getting good grades and going to cheer practice, but there’s a deeper, more unsettling side to her. She wields her power over the Spades to sabotage, manipulate, and humble people, including those closest to her. Selah’s quite villainous, a true anti-hero, but she’s also very likable and in the 90 minutes of this film the viewer can sympathize with her, but sympathy can only go so far. Luckily, I happen to love antagonists, they provide a different worldview and perspective. Not to mention the excitement they add to many stories, I mean what’s a Batman movie without the Joker?

I would’ve loved to see more of Selah in the show we were promised, but those plans have sadly been shut down. Nevertheless, Selah fascinates me; her ability to lead and take control (along with the nastiness) is why she’s in my Top 5. No one dares to cross her, but if they do, it won’t be long before they start to feel the burn. (ooo)

2. Colandrea “Coco” Conners, Dear White People (2017)

_{Antoinette Robertson} _{as Coco Conners}

Well, it should be no surprise that Coco Conners is in my Top 3! She singlehandedly had me hooked on Dear White People, seeing her transform throughout the show was magnificent.

The Dear White People movie is not one I’ve seen, but clips of Coco Conners (portrayed by the lovely Teyonah Parris) had me shocked, in tears almost! Although she’s not without her flaws, I’m glad they took a different route for the Netflix series. Her journey throughout the show, and just the first season alone, is amazing. The depth and complexity that’s seen in Coco was refreshing, and though she had questionable opinions, her insight mattered. Her critiques of the DWP podcast opened up important discussions regarding colorism, which was much needed.

“I’m smarter than you. I’m more ambitious than you. 30 years from now, when I’m the second Black female president, all you’ll be able to do is think about me. And I won’t remember your name.”
Coco conners

Coco grew up around poverty and violence, so being the first in her family to go to a prestige college was significant. She used it as a means to escape and chase her dreams while hiding from the traumas of the past. After being undermined in her first months of college, Coco decided to lean into palatability with sew-ins, makeup, and designer pieces. Her attempt to garner respect and attention didn’t affect her once people-pleasing, docile attitude. Instead, being rejected by an elite Black sorority is what led to her formidable power shift. Seeing Coco go from beggar to chooser was satisfying, and the way she dragged those girls for filth was INSANE. Slave socks?! She’s diabolical.

Coco Conners will always be my girl and Antoinette’s portrayal of her is everything.

1. Michaela Pratt, How to Get Away with Murder (2014)

Michaela Pratt exudes ambition; from Episode 1 she stated her goals, and by Season 6 she had accomplished everything she set out to do. Michaela came from nothing and was surrounded by abuse and neglectful foster parents. Her harsh upbringing is what motivated her to aim high and do the unthinkable; become a successful lawyer and judge. Against all odds, she got herself into Yale, then Middleton Law, and even argued in a winning case at the Supreme Court, standing side by side with Annalise Keating, one of the nation’s most distinguished attorneys. When presented with an issue, Michaela will craft the perfect solution. Thanks to her, the historic link-up between Annalise Keating and Olivia Pope was made possible. Michaela’s persistence and skill, coupled with her cocky personality, is what truly set her apart.

Michaela has the classic Type A personality; she’s fiercely competitive, ambitious, and assertive, with a strong work ethic and need to achieve. Although she may look sweet, she can be extremely harsh and has no problem stepping on others to succeed. Her rather “selfish” nature is what makes her character so polarizing for viewers; you either love her or hate her. Differing from the ‘helpful’ or ‘hero’ archetypes a lot of Black female characters play, Michaela had me gagged. She was her top priority; her own safety, wellness, and success always came first. It was refreshing to see in a way, but the ruthless extent she would go was shocking at times. But with her high aspirations, going down as an accessory to murder was never an option. She was willing to do whatever it took to keep a clean slate, some of which even I can agree was out of line, especially in the later seasons.