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Betty Rizzo, better known by her surname "Rizzo", is one of the main characters in the movie Grease. She is the sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies. She smokes, has a strong voice, and seemingly does not care what others think of her. She is the girlfriend of Kenickie and Sandy Olsson’s former frenemy. In the original Broadway production, she is portrayed by Adrienne Barbeau. In the 1978 film, she is portrayed by Stockard Channing.

In the 2023 prequel series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, Betty is the younger sister of T-Birds co-founder Gil Rizzo, and the best friend of Frenchy Facciano, whose older sister founds the Pink Ladies.

Biography[]

Betty is one of six children, having four sisters and an older brother, Gil. Her father left when Gil was eight, and the kids were raised by their divorced single mother, who owned a delicatessen. They grew up in the store and helped out when they could. Gil founded the T-Birds during his high school years, while a rebellious and brazen Betty ruled junior high.

In 1953, Fran Facciano moved to Rydell with her family from New York. Betty mocked Fran for her voice, talking fast, and talking too much. One day, Fran was being bullied by a boy when Betty walked up and kicked him "in the family jewels". Fran walked up to her and told her that she was her new best friend, and Betty simply said "fine". The girls became inseparable ever since, and Betty gave her the nickname "Frenchy".

Grease[]

At the age of 18, Rizzo was the leader of the Pink Ladies which consisted of her, Frenchy, Marty and Jan. She was also dating T-Birds member Kenickie. Frenchy introduces her new friend Sandy Olsson to the group who Rizzo is instantly cold and sarcastic towards. Upon discovering Sandy's summer fling was with Danny Zuko, Kenickie's best friend, she arranges a surprise meeting for them at the pep rally, but Sandy is humiliated by Danny as he attempts to act cool. Rizzo heads to a slumber party with her friends where Sandy falls ill after trying Rizzo's cigarettes, alcohol, and seeing blood when Frenchy pierces her ears. Rizzo mocks Sandy with a song, but Sandy witnesses and Rizzo abandons her friends to have sex with Kenickie. The condom breaks and they are interrupted by the leader of the rival gang Leo and his girlfriend Cha-Cha. Rizzo and her friends end up gate-crashing Danny and Sandy's date and Rizzo and Kenickie break-up. Rizzo brings Leo to the school dance to spite Kenickie, who brings Cha-Cha in retaliation. At the drive-in movies, Rizzo confides in Marty that she skipped a period and believes she's pregnant. Marty asks if it was Kenickie, and Rizzo tells her no, she doesn't know the guy. Despite promising to keep it a secret Marty tells her boyfriend, Sonny who spreads the rumor until it reaches Kenickie. While talking to Rizzo about it, Kenickie tells her that he doesn't run away from his mistakes, and she tells him that it was someone else's mistake, and he thanks her for letting him know.

Rizzo is mocked by the school for her supposed pregnancy, and laments her insecurities through song. At the carnival on the last day of school, Rizzo reveals to Kenickie that it was a false alarm, and she wasn't pregnant. They get back together, celebrating the final day.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies[]

In "We're Gonna Rule the School", Fran argued with her mother as she wanted her ears pierced like her best friend Betty, though Mrs. Facciano refused, as pierced ears were for "fast girls". The family attended a pep rally for Rydell High School, and Fran showed off her pierced ears that Betty did for her. Mrs. Facciano didn't approve of the crude nickname Betty gave Fran - Frenchy.

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After the disastrous pep rally, Jane snuck into her room and laid on the bed when she noticed candy wrappers on her comforter. Fran peeked out from under the bed. She had snuck in because Jane's room was nicer. Fran eagerly asked what Jane wanted to talk about earlier, and Fran relayed their mother's message that Betty is a bad influence. Betty emerged from under the bed; they had another secret sleepover. Fran admitted how things were hard for her when they moved to Rydell and how Betty bullied her, until one day when Betty stood up for her against a boy. They were best friends ever since, so Jane would just have to deal with it. Jane merely smiled at the girls.

In "Cruisin' for Bruisin'", Gil served customers at his family's delicatessen, and a woman tipped him in his pocket. His mother noticed his yawn and encouraged him to take money from the jar but he turned her down. She was proud of the man he became even if his father was worthless. Gil teased his sister Betty about her makeup until their mother asked her to pour Gil some coffee.

Richie arrived at Jane's door moments before Buddy did. Jane worried they fought but Richie assured her they hadn't, as they didn't come together. Betty and Frenchy eavesdropped from the staircase where they mused over Jane's romantic situation. Richie wanted to go first as he'd make it quick. He didn't know what was going on between her and Buddy and guessed it wasn't his business, but he apologized for Halloween. He saw them together and couldn't handle it. When they got together, he started feeling things, real things, good things. The feelings didn't stop and he felt other things too, things he tried not to feel for a long time, that scared him. It was easier to explode than feel him. But he'd rather feel everything with her than nothing with someone else. He knew he had a lot to prove but hoped she'd let him take her to the dance to start. She didn't have to decide now, as he'd let Buddy say his peace. Buddy walked back over and began to tell Jane, but changed his mind. He told her Johnny Vavoom would DJ as he got him to agree. She was surprised, and Richie approached as she had two offers now. Richie decided to give her time and the two boys walked off the porch as Jane watched them leave, stunned.

Personality[]

Rizzo is sassy, sarcastic, tough, and has a dark personality. Despite enjoying the companionship of gentlemen, for example Danny and Leo, and even being in a serious relationship with Kenickie, Rizzo shuns the idea that men are special, as when she chides Sandy for traveling all the way to the seaside “for some guy.” Rizzo has a meaner side to her, for example, She was seen kicking Patty Simcox and Sandy In Summer Nights. Rizzo can get jealous sometimes; this is evident when she dances with Leo Balmudo while Kenickie danced with Charlene Digregorio. Upon learning that she might be pregnant, she emotionally cut all ties with Kenickie. However, immediately after, her smug expression saddened, as she realized that she'd pushed away the guy who actually loved her and realized she actually loved him. Later, she revealed a softer side of herself. Sandy offered to help, but initially Rizzo balked at the offer. Seeing how mean she'd been to Sandy, who was purer than she herself was, she relented and thanked Sandy, both smiling gratefully. At the end of the school year, a carnival is held; Rizzo is seen on a Ferris wheel, revealing to Kenickie that she isn't pregnant. Thrilled with the news, they make up, kissing passionately, and Kenickie proposed, "If that's a line, I ain't bitin'. / That's a bona fide offer."

Physical Appearance[]

By high school, Italian-American girl Rizzo has a slim figure and is of shorter height. She has green eyes, dark brunette hair with a curly pixie cut, and a revealing sense of style, her clothes of more daring cuts and tighter fits than the other Pink Ladies.

In junior high, Betty is a young girl with a round face, big green eyes, and dark curly hair cut in a bob. She had full lips and a wide nose. She enjoys wearing makeup and values her appearance. She also has a heavy New York accent, something that her older brother Gil doesn't have.

Gallery[]

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