Abstract
Discusses Melissa McCarthy as an exemplar of Kathleen Rowe Karlyn's 'unruly woman' archetype, a natural successor to Roseanne Barr, and a powerful role model and an icon of progressive gender politics. Argues that under the individualist, neoliberal culture of the Obama era, McCarthy and others were able to transform unruliness into a commodity for middle-class women by embodying narratives of diversity, success and self-confidence while ignoring entrenched structural and social inequalities. Explores how her star persona has adapted during the Trump campaign and presidency.