How would you feel about attending school in the 2000s vs. today?
For Reneé Rapp, the star of Mean Girls and The Sex Lives of College Girls, the answer is clear: she prefers the present day. In a candid interview, Renee opened up about her views on the school environment, especially regarding LGBTQ+ acceptance. She also talked about her journey from Hopewell High School to now. She spoke about her struggles and triumphs as a bisexual woman in the entertainment industry.
Reneé Rapp when asked if she’d rather go to school now or in the 2000s:
“Well, I’m gay, so I’m gonna go with now.” PIC.TWITTER.COM/IFKANE4DYB
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) JANUARY 16, 2024
Born on January 10, 2000, Rapp spent three years at Hopewell High School in Huntersville, North Carolina. She performed in the theater program and played on the varsity women’s golf team there. She knew she wanted to sing and act from an early age, and she transferred to Northwest School of the Arts for her senior year.
She knew from a young age that she liked both men and women. But it was hard for her to tell people she was bisexual, especially in her conservative hometown. She said that she felt “a lot of shame and guilt” about her sexuality and that she was afraid of being rejected by her family and friends.
Society’s acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities affected her choice to go to school now. She feels more comfortable and confident in herself. She’s grateful for the support and love from her fans and peers.
Playing gay characters, such as Leighton Murray in The Sex Lives of College Girls, has also helped her embrace her sexuality and love who she is more. She admitted that she initially had reservations about taking on the role of a gay character because she felt that she wasn’t “gay enough” to portray the character.
However, she said that she learned to overcome her insecurities and enjoy the role, which she described as “fun, hilarious, and relatable”. Portraying LGBTQ+ characters has helped her positively see herself and others. She seeks to inspire and empower fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community who may be struggling with their sexual orientation or facing discrimination. She wants to use her platform to advocate for equality and acceptance for all. She wants to celebrate the diversity and beauty of the LGBTQ+ community.
She ended the interview by emphasizing the ongoing need for society to improve its attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. She used her statements to examine the broader implications. She said she is happy with the progress made so far. But she knows that more needs to be done. The goal is to ensure LGBTQ+ people are treated with respect and valued in all areas of life. She hoped her perspective would help the conversation and the push for LGBTQ+ rights and representation.
