Reneé Rapp Says Her Name Was Meant for Pop Stardom
Reneé Rapp Reveals Her Name Was Made for Fame
Reneé Rapp believes her name was made for fame—literally. The rising pop star and actress recently revealed that her mother, Denise Rapp, carefully chose her name with stardom in mind. Speaking on the Good Hang podcast with Amy Poehler, Reneé said her mom picked the alliterative name “Reneé Rapp” long before she was born, just in case she wanted to be a pop star.
“My mom chose both my first and last name to start with ‘R’—alliteration—just in case I wanted to be a pop star,” Rapp shared. “It’s kind of conceited, but it’s a great name.”
Amy Poehler agreed, saying the name sounded perfect for someone in entertainment. Reneé, known for her role as Regina George in the Mean Girls Broadway show and the 2024 film adaptation, has embraced her name fully as she builds her music and acting career.
Reneé came out publicly as a lesbian during a Saturday Night Live appearance in January 2025. At the time, she asked the writers to revise a sketch that labeled her a “little bisexual intern.” She explained that while she had previously identified as bisexual, she now feels fully connected to her identity as a lesbian.
“Labeling yourself publicly is really empowering, but also intimidating,” Rapp said. “It felt amazing.”
Reneé recently debuted her new single “Leave Me Alone” at the 2025 American Music Awards. The rock-influenced song highlights her struggles with fame and refers to her departure from the canceled HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls.
