Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. This not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for young girls to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following contains spoilers from The Good Place. Now, the best way to ensure your entry into The Good Place upon your death is to catch up on this funny-bone-tickling series. You won’t regret it.
Eleanor Shellstrop
Fast Facts:

Eleanor Shellstrop (portrayed by Kristen Bell) was born in Phoenix, Arizona, where she resided for the entirety of her life on Earth. She primarily worked as a sales representative for a questionable pharmaceutical company. Eleanor devoted her time to self-gratification on Earth. She thought of relying on others as a weakness and purposefully extricated herself from the people around her. Eleanor wasn’t afraid to lie, cheat or throw her so-called “friends” under the bus to save her own skin. She loved watching reality TV series and perusing Kendall Jenner‘s Instagram feed. Eleanor Shellstrop died as she lived – tragically, while being run over by a truck containing erection pills after dropping margarita mix. Sounds crush worthy (pun intended), right? Okay, hear me out on this one, Team Cockroach…
The Real Deal:
Now, Eleanor may not have been the most morally sound human being while on Earth. But she has shown an immense capacity for growth. When she initially arrived in The Good Place aka The Bad Place, Chidi (William Jackson Harper) took her under his wing. He gave her lessons in ethics every day. While it primarily appeared she wasn’t taking the classes seriously or absorbing the information, we learned in Season 2 that Chidi’s lessons stuck. Eleanor was changing for the better. She had no delusions of who she was, and perhaps that’s why she was able to allow herself that chance for moral growth. She genuinely has a desire to improve herself, and that’s admirable. Eleanor is holding herself accountable for her past behavior and striving to make up for all that.
Not to mention, she has a pretty wicked sense of humor. I don’t know about you, but I’m instantly drawn to funny people. Humor is alluring.
Why She Matters:

Alright, why does Eleanor Shellstrop matter? Well, as I mentioned previously, she’s grown as a person. In this age of the Me Too Movement, accountability is crucial. Eleanor is not shying away from her past. She’s not brushing it under the rug. In fact, she’s taking responsibility for her actions and working toward self-improvement. She deserves all the cocktail shrimp in the world for that. Eleanor has also forged genuine relationships with every member of Team Cockroach. As she continues her journey of moral growth, Eleanor is learning how to maintain healthy friendships with Chidi, Tahani (Jameela Jamil), Jason (Manny Jacinto), Michael (Ted Danson) and Janet (D’Arcy Carden). She truly cares about these people and will do anything for them. Eleanor’s greatest asset is her immense loyalty.
Of course, her burgeoning romantic relationship with Chidi is something worth noting. Chidi is the first person she’s loved for more than just physical appearance. Her love for Chidi goes below the surface – it’s incredibly heartfelt (literally, she feels it in her heart). Not to mention that The Good Place has tip-toed around the possibility of Eleanor being bisexual. She has mentioned on more than one occasion her attraction to Tahani. Any series that increases representation for the LGBTQIA+ community is a Grade A show in my book.
So, be like Eleanor. Be loyal. Be bold. Always embrace personal growth with open arms, and be willing to take responsibility for your actions. Learn what you can. Never miss an opportunity to tell a joke. Lastly, always, always choose cocktail shrimp over clam chowder. After all, clam chowder is essentially ocean milk with dead animal croutons. Yuck.
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