Reneé Rapp Is Owning Her Star Power — One Song, One Identity, One Moment at a Time
Let’s get something straight — Reneé Rapp isn’t just playing at being a star. She was built for it. Literally.
Before she ever belted out a pop anthem or took center stage on screen, her name was already a brand waiting to happen. During a candid convo on the Good Hang podcast with the one and only Amy Poehler, Rapp spilled a fun fact that feels straight out of a PR playbook: her mom chose her name on purpose to make her sound like a pop star.
“My mom, Denise, picked both my first and last name with the letter R,” Rapp shared, laughing. “She was like, ‘Alliteration. Just in case she wants to be a pop star.’ And that was before I was even born.” Poehler, clearly impressed, chimed in with, “She gave you a pop star name just in case, because Reneé Rapp is a huge pop star name.” No lies detected — Rapp agreed with a grin: “It’s a really good one.”
But that name? It’s more than just catchy. It’s now a symbol of the multi-hyphenate artist she’s become — one who’s embracing her identity, redefining herself in real time, and shaking up the industry in all the best ways.
🔥 NEW MUSIC ALERT: "Leave Me Alone" Hits Different
Reneé isn’t just giving interviews and podcast vibes — she’s dropping serious heat too. At the 2025 American Music Awards, she premiered her blistering new single, Leave Me Alone, and let’s just say — it was a whole moment.
The track is unapologetically raw and riddled with frustration, as she shouts into the void about the pressures of fame and the baggage that comes with it. The chorus? Total mic drop.
“Signed a hundred NDAs but I still say something / Leave me alone, bch, I wanna have fun / Took my sex life with me, now the show ain't fin'.”*
Yeah, she said that — loud and clear. The track is guitar-driven, angsty, and full of fire — very much a statement piece from someone who’s tired of being boxed in.
And this is just the beginning. Leave Me Alone is the lead single off her highly anticipated sophomore album, Bite Me, set to drop August 1 via Interscope. If this song is any indication, this album isn’t playing it safe. It's going for the jugular.
🌈 Coming Out, Loud and Proud
While her music screams bold, Rapp’s personal journey has been just as empowering. Back in January, during her hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, Reneé subtly but powerfully came out as a lesbian. Behind the scenes, she had a hand in shaping that moment too.
She recalled requesting the SNL writers tweak a sketch line that labeled her as a “little bisexual intern.” At the time, she said, “I was very publicly bisexual,” but added that, privately, her feelings had shifted.
“I had been talking with my girlfriend and friends for months, just saying, ‘I don’t really feel bi anymore. I actually feel like a lesbian. That word just fits, and it feels so right.’”
The decision to publicly label herself was a big one. “Labeling yourself publicly is really, really, really empowering,” she said, “and also, I think, can be kind of intimidating.” But when it happened? “It felt so f**ing good*,” she added with a big smile. She called the moment “pretty c-y,” and if you know, you know — that’s high praise.
📈 From TV Star to Chart Climber
Of course, Rapp’s rise didn’t happen overnight. You might recognize her from the now-cancelled HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls — a show that had its fair share of fans and drama. But for Rapp, that chapter’s closed.
And if you caught the lyrics to Leave Me Alone, you know she’s got some thoughts: “Took my sex life with me, now the show ain't f***in'.”
Oof. Shots fired, but also — respect. Reneé’s not interested in sugarcoating anything anymore. That honesty is what makes her artistry so magnetic.
🎤 Where It All Started: The Snow Angel Era
Reneé first made waves in 2023 with her debut album Snow Angel, which didn’t just hit — it landed. The album made its mark on the Billboard 200, debuting at No. 44, and it climbed all the way to No. 2 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
The title track? It went viral fast, peaking at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart — and with good reason. It was raw, emotional, and showcased Rapp’s range not just vocally but emotionally.
That was the album that proved she wasn’t just an actress moonlighting in pop — she was the real deal. Now, with Bite Me on the horizon, she’s pushing boundaries even further.
✨ Reneé Rapp: All In, No Apologies
It’s rare to see a young artist so confidently steering her own narrative, especially in an industry that often tries to write the story for you. But Reneé? She’s calling the shots — from her stage name to her sound to how she chooses to love.
Whether she’s belting out gut-punch lyrics on stage, laughing about her mom’s branding instincts, or speaking her truth about identity, one thing is clear: Reneé Rapp is exactly where she’s meant to be.
And with Bite Me promising to be her boldest work yet, she’s making it clear: she’s not here to be liked — she’s here to be heard.
🎯 In Case You Missed It — Quick Hits:
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New Single: Leave Me Alone — now streaming everywhere.
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Album Drop: Bite Me lands August 1 via Interscope.
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Breakout Moment: Came out as a lesbian live on SNL in a sketch she helped tweak.
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Name Game: Yep, her mom picked "Reneé Rapp" for pop star vibes before she was born.
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Legacy in Progress: From Snow Angel to Bite Me, she’s only just begun.
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