Renee Rapp's Surprising Audition for 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' Unveiled

Reneé Rapp came close to experiencing her own "Breaking Free" moment on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, leaving fans surprised. The 23-year-old Mean Girls actress revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that she tried out for the Disney+ show and various singing competition programs before landing her role on Sex Lives With College Girls.

Rapp mentioned in a recent interview on February 28 that he would audition for America’s Got Talent and American Idol whenever they visited Charlotte and Huntersville, North Carolina. He also tried out for the series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

The popular series, known for propelling Olivia Rodrigo's career, first aired on the streaming service in 2019. It featured other talented actors such as Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Julia Lester, and more. The fourth and final season of the show premiered in August 2023.

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Rapp found her footing after booking Mean Girls the Musical on Broadway in 2019 and HBO Max’s Sex Lives in 2021, despite the Disney+ series and singing competitions not leading to success.

Reflecting on her journey, Rapp admitted to THR that the constant rejection, in hindsight, was empowering and helped her grow.

She added that the challenges she faced made her resilient and determined. She described herself as spunky and scrappy, always willing to make things work by putting herself in absurd situations.

At the age of 14, she would connect with people through Instagram who were much older, even up to 35 years old. She found herself in unconventional situations, such as wanting to perform a Solange song at an underground fashion show that she technically shouldn't have been allowed to attend. These experiences were not uncommon for her.

Upon arriving in New York at only 19 years old, she made a bold decision to turn down a touring gig with the Mean Girls musical in hopes of securing a record deal instead. However, the universe had different plans for her. Just two weeks later, she received a call offering her the role of Regina George on Broadway.

Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “I had parents who were financially capable of giving me a certain life, so I felt comfortable to turn down money. Let’s be clear: That’s an insane, insane privilege. On the other hand, I’m stubborn as hell and I really know what I want to do and I really know what I don’t want to do. Ultimately, I’m going to do what I want to do in order to get to the next place in my career.”

After making her Broadway debut, Rapp took on the role of Leighton in Sex Lives for two seasons before deciding to leave the show in July 2023. Shortly after her departure, Rapp launched her first album, Snow Angel, and returned to play Regina George in the latest Mean Girls film.

Editor's P/S:

Reneé Rapp's journey to success is a testament to perseverance and resilience. Despite numerous rejections, she refused to give up on her dreams. Her willingness to take risks and put herself in uncomfortable situations paid off, leading her to Broadway and television stardom. Her story is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced setbacks and is a reminder that with determination and a strong belief in oneself, anything is possible.

Rapp's decision to turn down a touring gig with "Mean Girls" to pursue a record deal highlights her unwavering belief in her abilities. While it may have been a risky move, it ultimately led her to the role of Regina George on Broadway, which launched her career. This decision demonstrates her courage and determination to follow her own path, even when it involves taking unconventional routes.