Rising Star Reneé Rapp Credits Justin Bieber For Music Career Kick-Start
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, rising star Reneé Rapp, known for her role in Mean Girls and the acclaimed series Sex Lives of College Girls, shared her unabashed admiration for pop sensation Justin Bieber. Reneé, 24, revealed that Justin, 29, played a pivotal role in igniting her passion for music and paving the way for her burgeoning career.
Expressing her infatuation with the pop icon, she reminisced about her teenage crush on Bieber, labeling him as the sole male celebrity to capture her heart. “I was obsessed with him,” she confessed, highlighting the Sorry singer’s charismatic stage presence and undeniable talent as major draws.
“Just the way he walks around and moves onstage and always has this demeanor that’s chill, sings his ass off, dresses really cool,” she stated, adding, “I realized, as I was getting older, I was like, ‘Oh, I think I just want to be him.’”
Describing him as having a “really sexy lesbian” vibe, Reneé praised his laid-back demeanor, exceptional vocal prowess, and unique fashion sense. She revealed how observing Justin’s confidence and style influenced her own identity as an artist, eventually leading her to dub herself as “the bisexual Justin Bieber” during her pitch to record labels.
Reneé’s admiration for Justin transcended mere fandom, manifesting in her Halloween concert tribute where she performed his iconic hit One Less Lonely Girl in true Bieber fashion. Recreating the ambiance of Justin’s early career, Reneé serenaded a lucky fan onstage while donning a signature purple hat and sweatshirt ensemble reminiscent of the singer’s My World era.
In a candid interview with Teen Vogue, Reneé reaffirmed her lifelong admiration for Bieber, acknowledging his enduring influence on her artistic journey.
“He’s just always been a staple to me. That was my one boy crush as a kid. I was like ‘that boy is so cute.’ And now I think it’s because he looks like a lesbian — which is hot,” she stated.
She credited music as her primary outlet for self-expression and resilience, emphasizing the transformative power of her debut album, Snow Angel.
Reflecting on her evolution as an artist, Reneé noted the shift in her music’s thematic content, from personal struggles to empowered resilience. With Snow Angel, she embraces a more assertive and unapologetic approach, embodying the spirit of determination and authenticity.
In her words, “I think that a lot of my EP thematically had more of a, ‘Oh, no, this is what’s happening to me. This is what I’m going through’ thing, which is great, but I think that Snow Angel is a bit more resilient and it’s a bit more matter of fact and has a little bit more bite.”