Reneé Rapp is here to set the record straight — just because her songs sound flirty and fun doesn’t mean they aren’t hiding some real pain.
The 25-year-old Mean Girls star told GRAMMY.com that her latest album BITE ME is packed with tracks that might shimmer with confidence on the surface, but underneath, they’re “really depressing.” Take “At Least I’m Hot,” for example. Sure, it’s cheeky and seductive, but Rapp says it’s really about feeling “depressed and borderline not wanting to be alive” — with a playful twist.
“I think people perceive me as confident, but in reality, I’m often hurt, feeling not good enough, or like the second choice,” she admitted. “Even my most ‘empowered’ songs actually suck if you break them down.”
Despite the heavy themes, making the album became a turning point. With the support of her girlfriend, fellow musician Towa Bird, and a circle of friends who let her be unapologetically herself, Rapp says she finally started loving her life — flaws, feelings, and all.
“I love my life. I love my girlfriend. I love my friends. I love being alive, even if I’m not happy all the time,” she said. “That’s what this album really gave me.”
