Renée Rapp, the 25-year-old star of Mean Girls and The Sex Lives of College Girls, has built a reputation for being refreshingly unfiltered in interviews. In a candid conversation, she discusses her new album, the pressures of fame, and why she refuses to seek approval from 'conservative white bigots'.
Rapp admits she enjoys using creative licence in her songwriting, but insists she hasn't lied during our interview. Her lack of a filter has won her widespread approval online, with fans appreciating her honesty compared to the carefully crafted statements of many celebrities today.
However, Rapp says she never set out to be known for her media appearances. 'I never thought about how people would dissect even the way you speak,' she explains. 'To me, a fluffy, nonsense answer would make me crazy – if I was a journalist, that would drive me fucking up the wall!'
With her second album Bite Me due next month, Rapp acknowledges the high expectations that come with her outspoken persona. The tracks released so far are heartfelt love songs, but the title track sets a defiant tone, referencing Joan Jett and challenging critics.
Rapp's rise to pop stardom follows her breakout role as Regina George in the Broadway musical Mean Girls and a turn as Leighton Murray in The Sex Lives of College Girls. Her debut album Snow Angel received positive reviews for its R&B-infused pop sound.
