Reneé Mary Jane Rapp, born on January 10, 2000, in Huntersville, North Carolina, grew up with a passion for both performance and athletics. While attending high school, she balanced time between theater productions and varsity women’s golf. Recognizing her natural stage talent, she transferred to the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, where she shined in musical theater.
Her breakthrough came after winning a Charlotte regional award for her role in Big Fish. That victory led her to the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Awards (“Jimmy Awards”), where she won Best Actress and a $10,000 scholarship, officially launching her into the spotlight.
Broadway Breakthrough with Mean Girls
In 2019, Rapp’s career skyrocketed when she was cast as Regina George in Tina Fey’s hit Broadway musical Mean Girls. Taking over the iconic role, she captivated audiences with her powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence until Broadway shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the stage went dark, Rapp pivoted to music — a move that would shape her next big chapter.
Rising Music Career
Between 2022 and 2023, Rapp released nine singles, her EP Everything to Everyone (2022), and her debut studio album Snow Angel (2023). Her raw lyricism and genre-blending sound quickly set her apart as one of pop music’s most exciting new voices. She also hit the road, embarking on a successful tour that further built her reputation as both a vocalist and live performer.
On-Screen Success
Rapp transitioned to screen acting in 2021, co-starring in HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, created by Mindy Kaling. She later reprised her Broadway role in the 2024 Paramount Pictures film adaptation of Mean Girls, joining an ensemble cast that included Angourie Rice, Auli’i Cravalho, Tim Meadows, and Fey herself.
Despite her growing success in Hollywood, Rapp candidly admitted in interviews that she did not plan to pursue acting long-term, noting that film and TV work often caused her significant anxiety.
Personal Life and Identity
Open and outspoken, Reneé Rapp has shared that she is bisexual, distinguishing her own identity from the lesbian character she portrays on The Sex Lives of College Girls. Her honesty about mental health, sexuality, and the pressures of fame has resonated with young fans who see her as both talented and relatable.
A Star Redefining Her Path
Whether on Broadway, on-screen, or on stage with a microphone in hand, Reneé Rapp continues to shape her career on her own terms. With her music gaining momentum and her authenticity striking a chord worldwide, she’s proving that sometimes the boldest move is staying true to yourself.
