In the early weeks of 2023, many people (myself included) are making trend predictions for the upcoming year. What and who is going to become the next massive hit, our new celebrity crush, and a mainstay on our playlists? Usually, there are a few potential candidates and while there are so many up-and-coming actresses and musicians who have had huge years (think Sofia Wylie and Jenna Ortega), no one has quickly captivated audiences quite like Reneé Rapp.
The triple threat made her debut in the Broadway production of Mean Girls, playing the lead role of Regina George. The actress, only 20 at the time, quickly impressed with her incredible vocals and ability to portray a villain that we all secretly have a crush on. While she had a strong cult following at this point in her career, she truly came into the spotlight when she was cast by HBO.
Rapp currently plays one of the four main roles in the super-popular HBO dramedy The Sex Lives of College Girls (SLOCG). Her character Leighton Murray quickly became beloved by the LGBTQ+ community and deemed her the ultimate “mean rich lesbian.” Leighton quickly became a character that we both want to be, and be with, and by extension, Reneé Rapp (who is queer herself) became our new obsession.
Also, Rapp released her debut EP Everything to Everyone in the fall of 2022. Not only does it feature gorgeous vocals, but it also paints a relatable picture of what it is to go through heartbreak (“In the Kitchen”), come to terms with unrequited queer love (“What Can I Do”), and starting anew and build yourself back up (“Too Well, Colorado”).
After surveying some members of the Carleton community about their opinion of Reneé Rapp, the response was overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that based on the feedback, her fanbase is predominantly women, with a large portion of them identifying as queer. Many of the remarks included “being in love with her,” that she is iconic and that everyone wants to be her. This opinion is echoed all over TikTok as well.
With many of Rapp’s songs becoming viral TikTok sounds, it seems only fitting that she expands her own presence on the app. With 1.2 million followers, Rapp is not afraid to promote her own music, as well as enter the ever-evolving lesbian TikTok saga. She and her speculated partner Alissa Carrington, a popular queer TikToker, have been teasing their relationship on social media for weeks, with the fans excited at the prospect of them being a couple.
So, whether you are familiar with Rapp because you are a Broadway buff, a music lover, or have watched SLOCG, chances are you will see her a lot more in the coming year. She was recently cast in the Mean Girls movie musical – reprising her role as Regina George, her tour for her EP is underway, and we are all patiently waiting for the new season of SLOCG which was just renewed for a third season.
If you have yet to listen to Rapp’s music or watch her performances, I would highly recommend it. Because if you are like me, or like many women in the Carleton community, I can almost guarantee that you will find your newest girl crush.