Reneé Rapp on Love, Music, and Queer Community

I was familiar with Reneé Rapp as the sometimes loveable, rich blonde on HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls. When she left the show this past season, I wasn’t aware of her plans. I wasn’t sure if we would see her again. Turns out, she’s not going anywhere.

In the June 2025 issue of Cosmopolitan, the actress, singer-songwriter gave us an unfiltered look into her upcoming album, queer relationships, and of course… her sex life.

Miu Miu top, Balenciaga pants, Cou Cou Intimates underwear. (Title Image) Live The Process briefs.

Love Life

In the interview, Reneé talks about her committed relationship with fellow musician Towa Bird. She has previously tried alternative relationship dynamics, including different types of polyamory. Rapp is now adamant about keeping her relationship with Bird strictly monogamous. She also touched upon the depth of her relationship and expressed the desire for marriage.

“All of the pop girlies are in healthy relationships. Is their new music gonna suck?”

Honestly, I was concerned when I started dating my girlfriend, which is such an intense self-sabotage. I was always under the impression that I had to be miserable to make good music. But I don’t think you have to torture yourself in order to make something good. Some of the most talented artists in the entire world have been in healthy and happy relationships. I’ve had more good days than I’ve ever had in my life [in this relationship], and I feel like I’ve made music that’s better than anything I’ve ever made.

Emily Dawn Long top, Live The Process briefs, Renee’s own bracelet (throughout).

Joy in Music

The music career was something new to me. I wasn’t aware she made music, so her new album is something I’m definitely going to check out. Instead of conforming to the belief that great art is made through suffering, Rapp finds her inspiration in joy. A significant part of this joy stems from her relationship, which she attributes to having more good days than ever before.

Sometimes it’s okay to be the villain in someone else’s story.

My girlfriend and I talk about this all the time because she’s much more of a pacifist than I am. She’s much more, Let things go, let people do what they’re going to do. I am very protective over people—over my friends, over my family, over myself. I have been devilishly gone after in the last couple years of my life. I’m not going to act like it doesn’t bother me if it does. Anger and frustration are not something to be ashamed of. In men, they’re embraced as this thing that’s hot and sexy and dangerous. But for us, it’s like, “Oh, she needs to get her shit together and she needs to be classy.”

Extreme Cashmere cardigan, Kallmeyer briefs, Pandora rings, Los Angeles Apparel socks.

Queer Friendships

Home life with Bird is described as a “lesbian frat house” filled with laughter, support, and a tight-knit community of queer friends. She believes that nothing is more important than being in a group of friends.

How has having a group of queer friends impacted your identity?

I have the tightest group of friends in the entire world. We’re together at least two days out of every weekend. We were just all together at our house, and we were crying—all of us being like, “This is so cool.” We have this intersectional group of bitches at the house playing Rage Cage on a Sunday for no reason.

Balenciaga hoodie, Calvin Klein briefs, Sophie Buhai necklace, Pandora rings.

Bite Me

Last but not least, Rapp discussed her upcoming album, Bite Me, which is set to release on August 1st. Her lead single, “Leave Me Alone,” reflects her journey of self-expression and the process of channeling emotions into music.

For more of the interview, be sure to visit Cosmopolitan.