Singing sensation and Huntersville native Renée Rapp received the outstanding music artist award at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards on March 14. Rapp, who identifies as lesbian, rose to fame for her role as Regina George in the Broadway show ‘Mean Girls The Musical’ and for her role as Leighton Murray in “The Sex Lives of College Girls.”
“I feel very lucky to be recognized among these artists and creatives that I admire,” Rapp said during her remarks on March 14. “I really love my identity, and I feel lucky that we have spaces and organizations like GLAAD that recognize us for our talent and for, of course, how hot we are — yes, the hottest people are gay, no one is surprised.”
Rapp in recent years has shifted her focus to music. She released her first full studio album “Snow Angel” in 2022. She has become a voice for young queer folks and others, talking about a wide array of issues ranging from mental health and eating disorders to events happening across the globe.
In fact, one of the largest defining moments of Rapp’s speech was when she called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We’re in a room of very influential people, and very privileged people, which is exciting and also is a huge privilege to be a part of that … Having said that, I’d like to take the opportunity to show support and call for an immediate ceasefire and permanent ceasefire in Gaza,” she said.
Rapp is among many LGBTQ+ artists — some of whom include Billie Eilish and boygenius — who have publicly called for a ceasefire in Gaza after Israel’s military began an attack on critical infrastructure in Palestinian-controlled Gaza. These bombings and ground attacks started after Hamas — an armed, Palestinian militant group — stormed Israeli cities outside of the blockaded Gaza Strip on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 casualties.
Since then, Israel has continued its attacks on Palestinian infrastructure and resources. Some of these included the bombings of hospitals, residential buildings and schools. According to the Gaza Health ministry, over 31,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 13,000 have been children.
GLAAD has been called out by many pro-Palestine activists for the organization’s silence on the crisis. According to reporting from them.us, the organization did put out a statement on October 16 expressing grief for “the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel,” but it fell short on calling for a ceasefire. GLAAD has yet to officially call for a ceasefire on the matter.
Rapp said it was important to use her platform to advocate for those in Gaza whose voices continue to be oppressed. She encouraged those in the audience last Thursday to do the same.
“Please, continue to advocate for yourself, continue to advocate for your friends, for your queer friends and for those who can’t advocate for themselves,” Rapp urged.