
Call Her Daddy
"I have no idea. It's like delusion, it's all delusion. I genuinely don't fucking know." — Renee Rapp (referring to her childhood confidence in pursuing a career in music)
"I feel like it feels like equal parts exciting and equal parts scary. And also like the biggest part of it is like, I just like, I talked so much shit my whole life about doing this. So like, thank fucking God, I'm finally doing it. 'Cause I think like it would have been like, really embarrassing if it didn't work out." — Renee Rapp (describing her current career success)
"Misogyny is a motherfucker and it's so, what is such a mind fuck is I'm so incredibly like, oh my God, I would go through that entire experience 10 times over again and that heartbreak 10 times over again and that abandonment 20 times over again to be where I am right now." — Renee Rapp (reflecting on past relationship struggles and their impact on her career)
Renee Rapp joins Alex Cooper on "Call Her Daddy" to share her compelling journey from her upbringing in Huntersville, North Carolina, to becoming a celebrated musician and actress. Rapp recounts her early passion for music, even dreaming of being like Beyoncé, which contrasted with her parents' expectations of a traditional college path. Her high school experience was marked by feelings of not belonging and emotional sensitivity, leading her to transfer to an arts high school. She candidly discusses the challenges of navigating her sexuality, her initial confusion about being bisexual, and the negative reactions she faced from some family members and peers, which deeply impacted her self-worth.
The conversation delves into Rapp's professional experiences, including her role in "Mean Girls" on Broadway, where she candidly shared struggles with an eating disorder and the distressing experience of having her costumes altered, contributing to body image issues. She also touches upon her role as a lesbian character on the show "Sex Lives," and how that intersected with her personal journey of self-acceptance, often facing intrusive questions about her own sexuality. Rapp emphasizes that while fame has brought its own pressures, it has also allowed her to embrace her sensitivity and emotional depth, which were once sources of shame but are now central to her career and community.
Rapp reflects on her current relationships, particularly with her parents, noting a significant improvement and deeper understanding as she's grown. She expresses gratitude for finding a partner who makes her feel appreciated and allows her to be her authentic self without diminishment. The interview concludes with a discussion of her music, including the inspiration behind her songs "In the Kitchen" and "Bruises," and her performance of "Too Well," highlighting her growth and the emotional resonance of her artistic expression.