If you’re a Sex Lives of College Girls stan, I am so sorry to break your hearts with this news. As fans are preparing for Season 3 to see our favorite Essex College girls return for another season, it was confirmed that Reneé Rapp will not be returning for the hit Max series, leaving fans heartbroken for having to say goodbye to Rapp’s character, Leighton. Besties, don’t put on the SLOCG soundtrack to mourn just yet: Let’s talk about why Rapp is leaving the series.
Yes, Rapp will still be in Season 3 — but on a much smaller scale.
On July 10, Variety reported that Rapp would be leaving the series ahead of Season 3’s release. Variety confirmed that Rapp would still be appearing in Season 3 as a recurring character, but would depart the show after. Despite being a leading character on the series, Rapp was also announced to be playing Regina George in a motion picture musical adaptation of Mean Girls, and released her debut EP, Everything To Everyone, to critical acclaim during SLOCG’s run.
Rapp spoke about her departure from the show online.
Rapp tweeted about her gratitude and appreciation for playing Leighton after her departure was announced. She explained that The Sex Lives of College Girls was able to move her out to Los Angeles, and that the show also introduced her to her favorite people. Rapp also expressed her thanks to Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the show’s creators, Max as well. In her statement, Rapp pointed out that “a lot of queer work gets belittled—but playing Leighton has changed my life,” in her two seasons of being on the show.
Why is Rapp leaving The Sex Lives of College Girls?
Rapp expressed that pursuing music full time has been her ultimate end goal in an interview with Variety last year. It’s unclear if Rapp is leaving the show for different reasons, but with Rapp’s debut album Snow Angel coming out in August and the Snow Angel tour beginning in September, it’s clear that Rapp is focusing on music endeavors and also balancing her role as Regina George.
Either way, I can not wait to listen to Snow Angel and look forward to whatever Rapp is going to pursue in her career.