Let’s be real: usually, the musical guest on Saturday Night Live is just a three-minute bathroom break for the audience. You watch the host stumble through a monologue, chuckle at a sketch about a quirky family, and then tune out when the singing starts. But when Renee Rapp SNL hit the search bars back in January 2024, the vibe was entirely different. It wasn't just a performance. It was a massive cultural "passing of the torch" that felt like a fever dream for anyone who grew up on early 2000s teen movies.
If you weren't glued to your TV on January 20, you missed the moment the "Regina George" multiverse finally collapsed in on itself.
The Surprise Intro That Broke the Internet
Honestly, the highlight of the night wasn't even a sketch. It was the introduction to Renee’s second song. Jacob Elordi—the night’s host who basically spent the whole episode being reminded of how tall and "babygirl" he is—stepped aside for a surprise guest. Out walked Rachel McAdams.
The audience absolutely lost it.
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You’ve got the original 2004 Regina George introducing the 2024 movie-musical Regina George. It was a flex. McAdams hasn't always been one to lean into the Mean Girls nostalgia—she famously skipped that Walmart commercial with the rest of the original cast—so seeing her show up specifically to support Renee Rapp was a huge deal. It gave Rapp an immediate stamp of "Main Character" energy that most musical guests have to work years to earn.
Two Performances, Two Totally Different Vibes
Renee didn't just stand there and look pretty, though. She actually sang. Like, really sang.
Her first set was "Snow Angel," the title track from her debut album. It was moody. It was ethereal. She started the song literally lying flat on the floor in a white corset and a matching leather coat, surrounded by enough fake fog to hide a small village. If you’ve ever wondered if she has the vocal chops to back up her Broadway background, that high note at the end of the ballad pretty much settled the debate.
Then things got chaotic in the best way possible.
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For her second track, "Not My Fault," she brought out the heavy hitters. The stage transformed into a giant pink birthday party. Out of a massive tiered cake popped Megan Thee Stallion.
- The Energy: Pure chaos.
- The Outfit: Megan in a "Black Regina George" purple set.
- The Moment: Renee and Megan doing actual choreography while the crowd screamed.
There’s a specific kind of confidence you need to share a stage with Megan Thee Stallion and not get overshadowed. Renee didn't just keep up; she looked like she was having the time of her life. They even managed to recreate the Spider-Man pointing meme backstage with Rachel McAdams, which Megan later posted with the caption: "All the Reginas in one room."
Why People Are Still Searching for Renee Rapp SNL
There’s a reason this specific episode sticks in people’s heads. It wasn't just about the music. It was about Renee’s personality, which is... a lot. In the best way.
Before the performances even started, she appeared in a sketch called "Entertainment Tonight Lip-Readers." She played a "little lesbian intern" who was there to help Bowen Yang and Chloe Fineman decipher celebrity gossip. She even poked fun at her own reputation for being "chaotic" in interviews, joked about her court-ordered media training, and called herself "mother."
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It’s rare to see a musical guest integrate so naturally into the comedy side of the show. Most musicians look terrified when they have to read a cue card, but Renee looked like she wanted to stay for the after-party.
What the Critics Said
While the fans were obsessed, the episode itself got some mixed reviews. Some people felt the writing for Jacob Elordi was a bit lazy, relying too much on the "he's a hot guy" trope. But almost everyone agreed that the Renee Rapp SNL segments were the saving grace of the night.
Critics from outlets like Lainey Gossip and various SNL roundtables pointed out that Renee "seized the moment." Even if the sketches around her were hit-or-miss, her performances felt like a stadium tour squeezed into Studio 8H.
The "Mean Girls" Connection You Might Have Missed
It's easy to forget that this whole appearance was part of the massive press tour for the 2024 Mean Girls movie. Rapp had already played Regina on Broadway, but the SNL gig was her official introduction to the people who don't spend $200 on theater tickets.
She used the platform to bridge the gap between "the girl from that HBO show" (The Sex Lives of College Girls) and "the next big pop star." By having Rachel McAdams introduce her, she wasn't just a singer promoting a movie; she was the successor to a throne.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re looking to relive the magic or learn from how Renee handled her debut, here’s how to dive deeper into the "Rapp-verse":
- Watch the "Snow Angel" Performance First: If you want to see the technical skill, start there. It’s a masterclass in breath control while lying on your back (which is way harder than it looks).
- Check the "Not My Fault" Official Video: If the SNL version felt a bit "breathless" (some Reddit users complained the audio mix was a bit off during the choreo), the studio version features the same "cunty" attitude with perfect production.
- Follow the Meme Trail: Go find the photo of the "Three Reginas" (Renee, Megan, and Rachel). It’s basically a piece of pop culture history at this point.
- Look for the Media Training Joke: If you find her SNL intern sketch funny, go watch her actual interviews from the Mean Girls press tour. The "media training" joke is funny because it’s basically true—she says whatever she wants, and that’s why her fan base is so loyal.
Renee Rapp didn't just play Saturday Night Live; she owned the building for 90 minutes. Whether you’re a fan of her music, her acting, or just her chaotic energy, that January night was proof that she isn't going anywhere.
To see more of her range, you should look into her "Snow Angel" deluxe album or catch her guest spots on various late-night talk shows where she continues to be the most unpredictable person in the room.
Next Steps for You:
If you enjoyed the energy of Renee's SNL debut, you should check out her performance of "Tummy Hurts" featuring Coco Jones for a similar blend of vocal power and star-studded collaboration.