Reneé Rapp has had to learn to accept that people will make “assumptions” about her from her lyrics.
The 25-year-old singer-and-actress is open about her vulnerabilities in her music, however, she admits it can be “jarring” when so much hearsay is spread across the web about her personal life.
She told GRAMMY.com: “As much as I’m grateful and excited that so many people are tuned [into my career] now, and want to be a part of this world that we’ve created, it’s also really jarring. I think there’s a line that a lot of people cross. I also think I’m very outspoken and loud about what I want and what I don’t. In a way — in a positive way — it’s also made a lot of people in this fandom want to be more like that in their personal lives. But then, sometimes, that gets kind of ricocheted onto me, and then that doesn’t feel as amazing. But I can still applaud it.”
She continued: “I’ve had to learn who to trust in my work life and my personal life, and that’s a lengthy, sad process. No matter who you are, you get older and you learn more about yourself. Your business expands, and you learn more about yourself. I’m just doing it on a very public scale, and the stakes feel high.”
The Mean Girls star’s second studio album, BITE ME, sees the star get candid about burnout, mental health, fame and dealing with haters.
At the end of the day, Rapp – who is dating fellow musician Towa Bird – is grateful she’s attracting attention, even if it’s not always positive.
Rapp added: “Everyone has an opinion about my life, and that’s okay. It’s cool. I’ve grown to be at a place where I’m fine with that, but it’s weird. Do I wish that I could do a deep dive and explain every single lyric and every single thing about my life? Sometimes, yes. But I also don’t owe people that, so I’m not going to waste breath because you’re not entitled to all of those details in my life.
“I’m not here to judge that because it’s pop music. You take what you want [from this album]. If you want to go ahead and make assumptions and run with that bull****, then do it. You’re chatting about me.”