Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast is known for its candid conversations and celebrity guests. This episode featuring Reneé Rapp is no exception. The singer and actress opens up about everything from landing her role in Mean Girls to her musical journey and evolving identity. It's a fun, funny, and insightful conversation you don't want to miss.
From Mean Girls to Pop Star: Reneé Rapp's Journey
Before becoming a pop sensation, Reneé Rapp made a splash on Broadway as Regina George in Mean Girls. But how did she land the role? And what was it like transitioning from the stage to the recording studio?
Meeting Tina Fey and Landing Mean Girls
Rapp's journey to Mean Girls began with a video that caught the eye of none other than Tina Fey. Poehler recalls seeing the video on Fey's phone and being immediately impressed. But Rapp's initial reaction to getting the part was surprisingly nonchalant. "I was just so entitled," she admits. "I was just like, 'Yeah, okay, sure thing.'"
The audition process, however, wasn't as smooth. Rapp describes her first audition outfit as "horrific," complete with an infinity scarf and leggings. "I looked [expletive] insane," she says. The wrong clothes threw her off, so she bombed her first audition.
For her next audition, she changed her clothes, wore skinny jeans, and did better. When it came to choosing a song, she sought help from her ex-boyfriend, who was a musical theater major. He steered her away from a Beyoncé song and toward something more traditional.
Broadway Life: The Grind and the Glamour
Doing a Broadway show is tough. Rapp recalls doing six and a half months of Mean Girls, performing in show after show. The hardest part wasn't even the physical demands, but the mental game of planning your entire life around the show.
Despite her success on Broadway, Rapp identifies more as a musician than an actress. "I identify as a musician and singer in many ways more than an actor," she explains.
The Jimmy Awards: A Launchpad for Talent
Before Broadway, there were the Jimmy Awards. Rapp describes them as "the most intense hormonal...scary."
The Jimmy Awards are a national high school musical theater competition. Many famous people have been discovered through them, and Rapp feels like it gave her leverage in the industry.
She approached her performance with an "I've arrived and I'm ready" attitude.
Born This Way: Reneé's Innate Drive
Where does that confidence come from? Rapp says she's always had an inner compass and unwavering ambition. "I literally have no idea," she says. "Like from inception to now, same way. Like always."
Her parents also played a role, always pushing her to improve. Her dad, who has relative pitch, would point out when she was flat. Even before fame, her mom chose her first and last name to have R's "just in case she wants to be a pop star."
Deconstructing Reneé Rapp's Musical Process
Rapp's musical talent is undeniable. But how did she develop her voice? And what's her approach to songwriting and performing?
Finding Her Voice: From Beyoncé to Intuition
Poehler recalls the moment she and Tina Fey realized Rapp had an exceptional voice. But Rapp says it took a while for her ambition and talent to align. "It didn't match for a very long time," she explains.
She credits Beyoncé as a major influence, saying she learned to sing by listening to her and trying to match her. "Listen to Beyonce. Tried to match it," she says.
No Warm-Ups Needed: Why She Skips the Technicalities
Unlike many singers, Rapp doesn't do vocal warm-ups. "Makes me too anxious. Puts me in my head," she explains. She finds that focusing on technicalities hinders her performance. Instead, she relies on her intuition and lets the music flow naturally.
Meeting Her Idol: A Beyoncé Encounter
Meeting your idol can be a nerve-wracking experience. For Rapp, that idol is Beyoncé. She recounts the story of meeting Beyoncé at an Oscars party, thanks to Cara Delevingne.
"She's probably the most beautiful person I've ever seen," Rapp says. But she was so overwhelmed that she could barely speak. "I got to go," she said, before running away.
The Album Bite Me: A Deep Dive
Rapp's music is raw, honest, and deeply personal. Poehler praises her album Bite Me for its Breeders and PJ Harvey vibes. She also notes the conversational nature of Rapp's music. "I feel like I'm in conversation with you," Poehler says.
Two songs that stand out are "Why Am I Still Here" and "I Can't Be Around You Anymore." Rapp agrees, saying that those two songs are kind of A and B to each other. One explores the question of why someone is still in a relationship, while the other acknowledges that the chemistry is too intense to handle.
Love and Identity: Personal Revelations
Rapp opens up about her girlfriend, singer Toa, and her journey to identifying as a lesbian.
Meeting Her Girlfriend: A TikTok Love Story
Rapp met her girlfriend, Toa, who opened for her. She was immediately attracted to her. "Super talented and is really sexy," Rapp recalls.
She asked a friend to introduce them, but her friend said Toa might not be in a place to meet anyone. Rapp didn't care. She had to meet her.
Toa's initial behavior was "mean," but Rapp was intrigued. Toa even negged her. When Rapp said she thought cars were a good animated movie Toa didn't agree with her.
The first time they said "I love you" was on the beach. Toa said it first, but Rapp didn't respond. She was distracted by Flossy Baby, a TikToker, who was nearby.
Working Together: Love and Collaboration
Working with a partner can be challenging, but Rapp says she respects Toa's musical opinions and taste. However, there have been times when their collaboration has led to conflict. Rapp admits that she can be "neurotic" in the studio.
Coming Out (Again) on SNL
Rapp shares the story of changing "bisexual intern" to "gay" in an SNL skit. She had been thinking about identifying as a lesbian for a while, and SNL felt like the right place to do it.
She received support from Celeste and Bowen Yang, but she was also worried about disappointing fans. Despite her concerns, coming out as a lesbian felt "so [expletive] good."
She also discusses the complexities of being from a rural, homophobic town. While some people have been supportive, she knows that their support is often shallow.
Rapid Fire: Questions and Quirks
Poehler throws some rapid-fire questions at Rapp, revealing more about her personality and preferences.
Cara Delevingne's Questions
Cara Delevingne called in with some fun questions. The first: What would your drag king name be?
A good drag name can be something you think about for days, but Rapp was put on the spot. Rapp was given a suggestion of Timothy Shallay. She thought it was perfect.
Delevingne's next question: Who would be in your girl band (dead or alive)?
Rapp offered two versions:
- Real band: Reneé, Karen Carpenter, Beyoncé, and Queen Latifah
- Fake band: Reneé, Nene Leakes, Ellen DeGeneres, and Wendy Williams
Cara Delevingne would manage them. Poehler would open for them as Joy from Inside Out, with Ellen DeGeneres as Dory from Finding Nemo.
Reneé's Current Obsessions
Rapp unwinds by watching Law & Order: SVU with Christopher Meloni. "The writing on that show is so crazy," she says. She also admits that Christopher Meloni is jacked.
Hot Takes: Gymnastics and Flexibility
Poehler and Rapp share their aversion to men doing splits and backflips. Rapp says she's had bad experiences with "straight theater twinks."
There are exceptions to the rule. Kevin Bacon's stunt double in Footloose and the gymnast on the pommel horse get a pass.
More Law & Order Love
Poehler shares her appreciation for the original Law & Order with Jerry Orbach. She loves the exchange before the "bump bump."
Overriding Nerves: How She Gets Through the Scary Parts
Rapp says she gets through scary parts by not taking things too seriously. "When I take myself too seriously, I panic," she explains.
Advocating for Yourself
Poehler praises Rapp for being a loving and supportive person. Rapp says she can advocate for herself, too. People can be mean, as she's seen first hand.
Polar Plunge Shout Outs
Poehler ends the episode with some shout outs:
- Flossy Baby: The TikToker who was at the beach when Rapp said "I love you" for the first time.
- Amy Miles: The singer-songwriter who wrote the "Good Hang" theme song. You can stream the "Good Hang" theme song on Spotify.
Reneé Rapp's appearance on "Good Hang" is a must-listen for fans and anyone interested in music, identity, and personal growth. Her honesty, humor, and talent shine through in this candid conversation with Amy Poehler. Be sure to check out Bite Me, Reneé Rapp's debut album, to hear all her latest music.
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