Reneé Rapp got real about a dark period of her career.
Before releasing music and starring in The Sex Lives of College Girls, the 23-year-old songstress first got her big break by portraying queen bee Regina George on Broadway‘s Mean Girls at only 19 years old. While most would think this would have been the thrill of a lifetime, Reneé’s experience wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Instead, it sounds like she went through hell as she dealt with some IRL mean girls.
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In an interview with The Guardian published on Wednesday, the Too Well singer claimed she was often body-shamed by people in production during her run on the musical. She told the outlet she was struggling with an eating disorder at the time. And her battle with it worsened as the team “would say some vile f**king things to me about my body.” WTF! In the words of Gretchen Wieners, that’s so NOT fetch!!!
According to Reneé, the body shaming got so bad before the coronavirus pandemic that her parents had to go to New York City to try to take her out of the show “for fear of what it was doing to her health.” So, so awful. Leaving Mean Girls ended up being the right choice for her overall health. However, her parents are “more worried than they ever have been” as the Tattoos artists shifted her focus from acting to music “because they know more now.” Reneé explained they’re also concerned for her since she is still struggling with her eating disorder:
“Eating disorders don’t just go away and like, you’re healed, like: ‘Sorry, I can eat again, ha ha!’ It’s a lifelong thing. There are battles with addiction and whatever everywhere. I still struggle with it, but at least my parents know that I’ve been taken out of environments that were really harmful to my sickness, which is awesome and a huge win. They worry like hell, but they’re chilling, I guess.”
As for why she spoke about this terrible situation? The actress shared that she is happy to talk about these important matters after she “suffered in silence for so many years.” And no doubt being open and honest about her mental health and eating disorder will help others struggling feel less alone.
Innerestingly enough, though, Reneé chose to reprise her role as Regina in the movie version of the musical despite her rough time. Hopefully, she has a better experience on the set of the film than she did on Broadway. Reactions, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments below. You can also read her entire interview with The Guardian HERE.
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder, there is help available. Consider visiting or call their hotline at (800)-931-2237 for resources.
[Image via MEGA/WENN, Mean Girls on Broadway/YouTube]
