Reneé Rapp’s Mom Manifested Her Pop Stardom Before She Was Born
Before Reneé Rapp ever stepped into a recording studio or took the Broadway stage, her mom was already setting the stage for her to shine — quite literally. According to Rapp herself, her journey to pop stardom might have started with something as simple — and intentional — as her name.
In a recent episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, the rising pop star revealed a sweet (and slightly hilarious) anecdote about how her mother, Denise Rapp, had the foresight to give her daughter a name fit for fame. “My mom chose my first and last name to be… well, okay, arguably chose my first and last name to both have [two R’s],” Rapp shared. “She was like, ‘Alliteration, just in case she wants to be a pop star’ before I was born.”
While Rapp joked that the move was “conceited,” she admitted she’s “obsessed with the way [her mother] did it.” Laughing, she added, “I’m like, thank you, God.” And honestly? She’s not wrong. Reneé Rapp just sounds like a name that belongs in lights.
Even Amy Poehler was impressed. “She gave you a pop star name just in case,” Poehler said. “Because Reneé Rapp is a huge pop star name.” Rapp agreed, smiling, “It’s a really good one!”
From Broadway Queen Bee to Pop Powerhouse
Though Reneé Rapp’s name might have been destined for the charts, her journey to the top started onstage. She first broke out as Regina George in the Broadway production of Mean Girls, a role she reprised in the 2024 movie musical adaptation. It was a performance that made both fans and critics take notice — Rapp had the voice, the attitude, and that undeniable “it” factor.
She also made waves on-screen in HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, where she played the bold and hilarious Leighton Murray. However, after two seasons, Rapp left the series during its third season — and from the looks of her recent lyrics, she has some thoughts about that chapter of her career.
Pop Star Era in Full Swing
Since stepping away from acting, Rapp has made it clear that music is where her heart truly lies. Her 2023 debut album Snow Angel established her as one of pop’s most promising newcomers — a rare blend of vocal power, emotional honesty, and sharp storytelling.
Now, she’s gearing up to take things even further with her second studio album, Bite Me, due out this August. And if her latest single is any indication, fans are in for a fearless, no-holds-barred era.
Just last week, Rapp released “Leave Me Alone,” a fiery new track that channels frustration, freedom, and a little bit of post-job shade. In the song’s second verse, she appears to reference The Sex Lives of College Girls — and not subtly:
“I took my sex life with me, now the show ain’t fing / Leave me alone, b***, I wanna have fun.”**
It’s a clear message: Reneé Rapp isn’t holding anything back. Whether she’s calling out old gigs or embracing new beginnings, she’s doing it all on her own terms — with the kind of name that’s impossible to forget.
And maybe that was the plan all along.