Why do the Heathers have power at Westerburg High? in the film, Heather Chandler spelled out clear as crystal: "They all want me, as a friend or a fuck"

In other words, all the girls want to be her friend (or at least, not her enemy), which in turn hinges on her family name, connections, money, making her house available for parties, etc. And all the guys find her sexually desirable: skinny, blonde, conventionally attractive, etc etc.

Putting it another way: Heather McNamara is the cheerleader of the group, but Heather Chandler is the alpha despite not being a cheerleader. She's so popular, she doesn't need to be

Now let's look at Heather C. from the show. "They all want me as a friend" -- doubtful, as this generation of kids prizes likability & having the guts to stand up to bullies, not being a bully. "or a fuck" -- as a fat lesbian who dresses like every day is Halloween, SUPER doubtful

I am not here to fat-shame or to say people can't be LGBTQ. But I truly question whether the average horny straight dude at an American high school is gonna find fat girls or lesbians sexually desirable -- at least not "hottest girl in school" desirable. Things may have changed in the schools, but not THAT much

Now, if the show wants to say that the Heathers are popular for other reasons, that's one thing. (and if Heather M. is kissing a male teacher, that's not gonna make her popular, as much as it's gonna make him fired)

Like maybe if they establish that Westerburg is a performing arts H.S. and they're the biggest drama geeks, while the football team is an afterthought. Or one of the Heathers has an older brother who can make 100% foolproof fake IDs, with the holograms and everything ... or maybe one of them has leet hacker skills that can get their fellow students into any college they want.