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. Now, 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 kids to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following is rife with spoilers for What We Do in the Shadows the TV series. Just remember that this is a place for vampire comments only. You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution.
Nadja
Fast Facts:
Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) is a vampire of Romanian heritage. She’s purported to be between 500-700 years old. Her homeland was a utopia of sorts — an island of paradise. That is, until Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak) laid waste to her beautiful village 200 years before she was born. The “stupidest” people were spared, but Nadja’s home never recovered. As a child, Nadja’s family had to burn donkey dung for warmth. Inevitably, once the donkey passed, they had to burn the donkey. Nadja became a vampire after another vampire parading about as a snake bit her throat.
Next, Nadja took on a multitude of vampire lovers, including several reincarnations of a man named Gregor. Baron Afanas, a formidable royal vampire, was also one of Nadja’s passionate lovers. Eventually, Nadja turned an English man named Laszlo Cravensworth (Matt Berry) into a creature of the night. The pair wed and were subsequently driven out of Europe in the 1860s due to vampire prejudice.
Nadja and Laszlo moved to Staten Island in America. They took up residence with Nandor. Additionally, Nadja dabbled in some creative exploits by forming a human music group with Laszlo in the 18th and 19th centuries. A handful of their songs became contemporary hits, such as “Wannabe” by Spice Girls and “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys.
Later, Nandor took on a familiar named Guillermo de la Cruz (Harvey Guillen) that Nadja and Laszlo incorrectly refer to as “Gizmo.” Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch), an energy vampire, is also living at Nadja’s Staten Island home. In 2019, a documentary crew started filming the day-to-day lives of Nadja, Nandor, Laszlo, Guillermo, and Colin Robinson. Nadja also has a gal pal in the form of her human ghost that inhabited a porcelain doll.
The Real Deal:
Nadja is the real deal. She’s immensely smart, especially when it comes to vampire smarts. In addition, she’s not afraid to put Laszlo and Nandor in their places when their vampire egos grow tenfold. She never shies away from speaking her mind. Nadja is the very definition of a blatantly honest New Yorker. She also has the throat singing voice of a girl that didn’t perish of leprosy nor die amid Nandor’s pillaging streak. While she may not exactly understand humans, she respects Guillermo as Nandor’s familiar and refrains from eating him. Nadja makes an excellent mentor (Exhibit A: Jenna) and an even better vampire lover. She also knows when to let people go free — she relinquished Jeff-sk? Je-sk? Gregor-Jeff? from her tantalizing hold. Oh, and did we mention she’s funny? Prepare to have your human funny bones tickled when you’re around her, friends!
Why She Matters:
Why does she matter? Nadja is a badass vampire, plain and simple. She pulls the strings in her household and ensures that the menfolk know their station in her world. She is the face of female vampire strength. We wouldn’t want to encounter her in a dark alley. She is vampire woman, hear her roar!
So, be like Nadja. Don’t be afraid to keep your male counterparts’ egos in check. When in doubt, throat sing a song. Assert dominance in the bedroom, the bathroom, and beyond. Oh, and always watch Priests Falling Down when it’s on the telly. Especially to help with its quest for syndication.
RELATED: Read all of our What We Do in the Shadows recaps here!
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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