In her sophomore era, Reneé Rapp is back and bitier than ever

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In the music world, a “hiatus” traditionally means an artist is taking a long break between albums or projects. They usually do this to recharge creatively, which can be disappointing for their fans.

Many successful singer-songwriters, including Fiona Apple and Lorde, are known for taking several years off between releasing albums. These periods of inactivity are a common pattern in their careers.

As a huge Reneé Rapp fan, I found it so funny when people started saying she was on hiatus! It had only been less than two years since her last solo release, so the idea that she’d just disappeared was pretty wild to me.

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While touring with her newest album, the pop singer, originally from New Zealand, has been talking about wanting to be completely honest and open with her fans.

Rapp expressed confusion about the idea that she took a break, responding to comments about it by pointing out she was busy with festivals almost every weekend and also working on an album. She shared this during a Zoom interview in early October.

Later that evening, the artist was scheduled to perform at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, as part of her Bite Me Tour. She was feeling unwell with a fever, but was taking antibiotics and planned to go through with sound check and the show.

Rapp brushed it off, saying she’d managed to perform even when feeling much worse, like the time she had food poisoning on Christmas Eve but still went on stage.

Since becoming known for her role as Regina George in the Broadway hit “Mean Girls” when she was 19, Renee Rapp has appeared on television, returned to the role for the “Mean Girls” movie musical, and released two albums and toured with an EP.

Rapp released her first album, “Snow Angel,” to great excitement in 2023, and followed it up with “Bite Me” in August. She’s now touring in support of “Bite Me,” and her tour stops at the Kia Forum this Friday.

In other words, Rapp has been busy.

Regarding rumors of taking time off, the singer explained that her only real break came from deciding not to release music just for the sake of it.

She wasn’t lacking songs, but she simply wasn’t confident enough in any of them to share with the world. She still has a few she’s holding onto, hoping to revisit them later.

Rapp explained that the 12 songs on her album, “Bite Me,” were carefully selected with a specific goal in mind: to create a well-structured and catchy pop record.

The artist explained that ‘Snow Angel’ simply handed them a pile of clothes – a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, jeans, and sweatpants – without folding them, but assured them everything was in good condition.

She described the album as being like a collection of well-cared-for clothes – clean, organized, and beautifully presented.

Voices

Column: Reneé Rapp is remaking young female stardom. But can she enjoy it?

From YouTube and TikTok to starring in ‘Mean Girls’ on Broadway and ‘Sex Lives of College Girls’ on Max, Reneé Rapp is quickly becoming a Gen Z star. Her latest project? A new album called ‘Snow Angel.’ This is the story of how she did it.

“Bite Me” is a musically diverse album, blending elements of glam punk, synth-pop, and disco. It’s a deeply personal and captivating record, feeling like a hazy, wine-soaked dream. Much like the artist, Maisie Rapp, the album moves between intense emotions while always staying true to her honest and open style. As she playfully states in her lead single, “Leave Me Alone,” she’s not afraid to speak her mind, even if it means signing numerous non-disclosure agreements.

Avril Lavigne’s album, “Bite Me,” debuted at number one on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart, selling 47,000 copies in its first week. A significant portion of those sales—30,000—were vinyl records. The album also reached number three on the main Billboard 200 chart, marking Lavigne’s first time entering the top 10.

When Rapp released “Bite Me” in August, he explained that the song captured everything he’d experienced over the past two or three years – the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Although the album draws from Rapp’s personal life, she wasn’t strict about sticking to the exact details. She sometimes combined elements from different experiences in a single song, and in other cases, she intentionally exaggerated or altered events for artistic effect.

Rapp explained that if he once felt a certain way, he believes that feeling was real, even if he doesn’t feel that way anymore.

In her emotionally raw song “Why Is She Still Here?”, Rapp embodies a partner hurt by the continued presence of someone else in their relationship. The song’s moody atmosphere and story suggest a long period of heartbreak and conflict, and it would fit perfectly in a dramatic, film noir scene.

Rapp explained that the song is based on a few days from his life, which he then expanded and exaggerated to create a more dramatic story.

Alexander Glantz, a singer, songwriter, and producer known as Alexander 23, is a close friend and frequent collaborator of Rapp’s, and he’s always recognized her as someone who feels things very deeply and cares a lot about what she does.

According to Glantz, Reneé is a very passionate person. She doesn’t do anything halfway; when she has an opinion or feeling, she expresses it fully and directly, without reservation or nuance.

He explained that, as both a producer and songwriter, it’s his responsibility to translate those feelings into music as effectively as possible.

Glantz, known for his work with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae, immediately sensed Rapp’s talent when they first met. He also felt a strong creative connection with her, and they’ve since built a close working relationship that’s playfully competitive, almost like siblings.

The two artists frequently argue in the studio, and their biggest fights have even stopped them from finishing recording sessions. They disagree on everything, even song titles. Although Rapp privately preferred “Cannonball” as the lead single, Glantz and the producers of “Bite Me,” Omer Fedi and Julian Bunetta, all agreed that “Leave Me Alone” was a much better fit.

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Honestly, watching Rapp in action is something else. She might lose a battle, but she’s a master at making any win feel…hollow. As Glantz put it, it’s like she has this incredible ability to make you question whether getting what you wanted was even worth it. She doesn’t let anyone celebrate too much, and it’s fascinating – and a little unsettling – to watch.

Let me tell you, watching this duo work is intense. As Glantz put it, everything feels amplified – every little flaw and every brilliant moment. When they’re off, it’s genuinely painful to watch, but when they connect? It’s absolutely exhilarating – a truly euphoric experience. You really *feel* everything with them.

The day they wrote “Mad” fell in the latter camp.

Glantz explained they’d been working on the album’s material for months, and while they had promising ideas, nothing felt like a standout track – a real centerpiece – just yet.

But that day in Malibu, something clicked. Rapp’s vision was completely opened to them.

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Before Haim takes the stage at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Danielle Haim and her collaborator Rostam Batmanglij share the story behind their newest album.

Jack Rapp, a well-known artist, feels a sense of relief being truly understood, especially since her fans often feel a strong, one-sided connection with her. She admits that despite her best efforts in her music, she struggles to fully express herself in a way that prevents misinterpretations by her audience.

She explained that she’s learned to accept that not everyone will understand or know her. She believes that sharing too much of herself would leave her feeling empty, as she needs to keep some things private.

Many artists experience the same pattern, according to Glantz. Initially, the spotlight feels great, but it quickly becomes overwhelming and confining.

As you become more well-known and visible to the public, it’s natural to become more protective of yourself and your privacy, the writer-producer explained.

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Chappell Roan feels she’s lost some of the simple joys of life, like carefree fun, now that she’s a famous pop star. She’s been talking about how being in the public eye has changed her privacy.

This Friday, Rapp will perform her largest Los Angeles show to date at the Kia Forum, a venue much bigger than the Greek Theatre where she played in 2023 during her Snow Hard Feelings Tour. Interestingly, singer-songwriter Towa Bird—who is now her girlfriend—opened for her on that tour, along with Glantz.

Rapp explained that he usually only performs for such large audiences at festivals, where people are there to see a variety of artists, not just him, even if he’s the main act.

“There is something specifically very electric about playing your own venues,” she said.

I was really struck by how carefully Megan Rapp put together the setlist for her ‘Bite Me’ tour – every song felt intentional and built on the powerful, defiant energy of the album itself. She admitted keeping that level of intensity going in a big arena is *hard* work, and honestly, it made her nostalgic for those smaller, more intimate acoustic shows she used to play when she first started touring.

Performing live has actually made her appreciate her songs even more, and she’s particularly fallen in love with ‘Good Girl’ as she’s played it for audiences.

Rapp finds the most joy in music not through big performances, but in the smaller, more personal moments – like creating in the studio with friends, turning her emotions into something beautiful. She sometimes wonders if she should follow the example of artists she admires, such as Frank Ocean, who prefer to work privately and don’t feel the need for constant public attention.

Rapp explained that seeing other artists she admires achieve mainstream success has left her questioning her own goals. She said, “When other musicians I look up to release a lot of popular music and build these huge careers, I get really confused about what I truly want for myself.”

Is she considering a return to the stage? Is she thinking about trying acting in movies again? Or does she simply want to disappear and take a break from everything?

Rapp stated she simply wanted to focus on making music. However, true to form, she quickly changed her mind.

“Actually, I take that back,” she said. “I want to do what the f— I want to do.”

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2025-10-16 13:32