Rochelle is a main character in The Craft. She is an aspiring witch who forms a coven with Sarah Bailey, Nancy Downs and Bonnie. She uses magic to get revenge on classmates who bully her, but gets more than she bargained for.
She is portrayed by Rachel True.
Biography
Background
Very little is known about Rochelle's life prior to the events of the film. In a deleted scene, it is revealed that Rochelle is the only African-American girl in her school and neighbourhood, and that when she first arrived, no one would talk to her except Nancy Downs. She also seems to be the only relatively normal (with no familial, or psychological, or physical issues) one out of all the four witches. Partly due to being the only black girl at her school, Rochelle is a target for racist bullying, isolating her. Fortunately, Rochelle befriended Nancy and Bonnie and they began practising witchcraft together.
The Craft
Rochelle is a skillful athlete as well as a member of her school's swim team. However, she is frequently bullied other students, in particular by Laura Lizzie, a racist girl who has no qualms about humiliating her in public.
Once Rochelle achieves real magical powers with Sarah Bailey initiated into her coven, she cast a spell that made Laura's hair fall out every time she bullies her. She eventually sees how much pain and suffering she has put Laura through, and feels extreme regret.
However, this regret is fleeting: as she, Bonnie, and Nancy grew more powerful in witchcraft everyday, she gradually began to abuse her magic. Sarah later punished her by tormenting her with a vision where all her hair fell out (similar to what she had inflicted upon Laura, only worse by three times in accordance to the Rule of Three), and stripped her of all her magic.
Personality
Rochelle initially comes across as being a friendly, fun-loving girl, who enjoys swimming. She is one of the more easy-going members of the coven, being prone to making jokes and wisecracks and only occasionally letting her negative feelings show. However, her confidence has been knocked due to the ostracization and persecution she receives due to her status as the only African-American in her school, in particular from Laura Lizzie. Rochelle at first tries to take the moral high ground, confronting Laura about her bullying in a non-aggressive manner or trying to ignore her, but her constant taunting leaves Rochelle bitter and vengeful.
Rochelle seems largely unconcerned by the prospect that they are misusing their powers, though she is shown to be shocked when she sees what her spell has done to Laura Lizzie and appears to be remorseful. However, this does not stop Rochelle from terrorising Sarah, though she agrees with Bonnie that Nancy has taken things too far. Rochelle does not appear to very sincere when she 'apologises' to Sarah at the end and dismisses her actions as a mere 'joke', though Sarah clearly doesn't see the funny side.
Powers and abilities
Rochelle is a powerful "spiritual" witch. She possesses the ability to manipulate mystical forces, allowing her to cast spells and use supernatural powers such as telekinesis, levitation and glamouring. She represents the element of water, and possibly possesses intuitive abilities.
Relationships
Sarah Bailey
Sarah and Rochelle shared very little dialogue, except when Sarah helped her perform the spell on Laura Lizzie. However, Sarah did defend Rochelle to Laura, pulling her hair for her treatment of Rochelle.
Nancy Downs
Nancy befriended Rochelle when no one else wanted to be friends with the only black girl in school.
Bonnie
She and Bonnie frequently poke fun at each other and are close because they are not as powerful as Sarah and Nancy.
Gallery
Quotes
- "She doesn't want to be white trash anymore and I told her, 'you're white, honey, deal with it'."
- "I drink of my sisters and I ask for the ability to not hate those who hate me. Especially racist pieces of bleach-blonde shit like Laura Lizzie."
- "Why are you doing this to me Laura?"
Trivia
- She was played by Rachel True.
- Rachel True became good friends with Neve Campbell during filming.
- She was the oldest among the girls, being nearly 30 at the time of filming.
- According to the filmmakers, Rochelle's classical element is water.