5 Key Takeaways From The Betty Who And Reneé Rapp 'Sexuality Comments' Controversy That Shocked The Queer Community

The ongoing conversation around celebrity sexuality and identity was thrust into the spotlight in late 2024 following a viral controversy involving Australian pop star Betty Who and American actress-singer Reneé Rapp. The drama centered on comments made by Betty Who on a podcast, which were widely criticized as "lesbophobic," and the subsequent, definitive response from the openly lesbian Mean Girls star, Rapp. This event quickly became one of the most talked-about topics in the music and LGBTQ+ communities, sparking a necessary but intense debate about sexual fluidity, lesbian identity, and the boundaries of public commentary.

The entire incident, which unfolded over a few short weeks, highlighted the complexities and sensitivities within the queer community, particularly regarding how bisexual and lesbian experiences are discussed in the public sphere. Here is a deep dive into the shocking comments, the swift backlash, and the powerful way Reneé Rapp shut down the narrative in a must-read interview.

Artist Profiles: The Biographies of Betty Who and Reneé Rapp

Before diving into the specifics of the controversy, it is essential to understand the background of the two artists involved, both of whom are influential figures in modern pop culture and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Betty Who (Jessica Anne Newham)

• Full Name: Jessica Anne Newham
• Born: October 5, 1991
• Birthplace: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Career: Australian-American singer-songwriter and musician. She is known for her upbeat, synth-pop anthems, including her breakout hit "Somebody Loves You."
• Notable Achievements: Her music has been featured in major media, and she has cultivated a significant following within the LGBTQ+ community. She is openly bisexual and is married to a man, a detail that became central to the controversy.
• Early Life: Started playing the cello at the age of four, demonstrating an early passion for music before transitioning to pop songwriting in her teens.

Reneé Rapp (Reneé Mary Jane Rapp)

• Full Name: Reneé Mary Jane Rapp (also cited as Reneé Jane Rapp)
• Born: January 10, 2000
• Birthplace: Huntersville, North Carolina, U.S.
• Career: American actress and singer-songwriter, rapidly rising as a global pop star.
• Notable Achievements: Gained initial recognition for starring as Regina George in the Broadway production of Mean Girls in 2019. She reprised the role in the 2024 film adaptation. She also starred as Leighton Murray in the Max comedy series The Sex Lives of College Girls. Her debut album, Snow Angel, released in 2023, was a critical and commercial success.
• Identity: Reneé Rapp is openly and proudly a lesbian, a core element of her public persona and music.

The Shocking Comments: What Betty Who Said on the 'Made It Out' Podcast

The entire debacle began with Betty Who's appearance on the Made It Out podcast, hosted by Mallorie Glownke, in an episode titled "Being Queer In A Straight Relationship (with Betty Who)." The conversation, which took place around August 2024, touched on the fluidity of sexual identity, specifically within the context of celebrities who have publicly dated both men and women, such as Fletcher and JoJo Siwa.

Betty Who, who identifies as bisexual but is married to a cisgender man, was speaking from her personal experience about navigating the world as a queer person in a heteronormative relationship.

The 'Holding Space' Remark

During the discussion, the conversation turned to Reneé Rapp, who is a self-identified lesbian. Betty Who made a hypothetical remark that immediately drew intense criticism from the lesbian community and Rapp's fanbase.

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Who suggested that she was "holding space" for Reneé Rapp to potentially fall in love with a man, despite Rapp's clear and consistent identification as a lesbian.

The comment implied a belief that Rapp's sexuality was still fluid or subject to change, suggesting that she might ultimately end up in a heterosexual relationship. This narrative is a common trope that often invalidates the lesbian identity and was perceived as an attempt to project a bisexual or heteronormative experience onto a lesbian woman.

The Immediate Backlash and 'Lesbophobia' Accusations

The reaction on social media, particularly platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Critics immediately labeled Betty Who's comments as "lesbophobic" and "inappropriate."

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The core of the backlash was not an attack on Betty Who’s personal bisexual identity or her marriage, but rather a condemnation of the perceived erasure of lesbian identity. The lesbian community stressed that suggesting a lesbian might "end up with a man" is a harmful microaggression that dismisses the validity and permanence of their sexual orientation.

Many argued that the experience of a bisexual person married to a man (which is Betty Who’s position) is fundamentally different from that of a lesbian, and projecting one's experience onto the other is an act of privilege that invalidates the lesbian experience.

Reneé Rapp's Powerful Response in Cosmopolitan UK

Reneé Rapp, known for her candid and unapologetic style, addressed the controversy directly in her digital cover interview with Cosmopolitan UK. Her response was a powerful and unequivocal shutdown of the narrative, earning her widespread praise from her fans and the LGBTQ+ community.

When asked about Betty Who's remarks, Rapp expressed a lack of surprise, stating, "I mean, it's just very similar to the... I'm never surprised. People are always going for lesbians!"

She then delivered the most memorable quote of the entire incident, directly challenging the assumption behind Who's comments: "Somebody's gonna bring my name into the conversation... What makes you think I'm gonna end up with a man?"

Rapp's response was seen as a crucial moment of validation for lesbians, reinforcing that their identity is not a phase or a placeholder waiting for a man to come along. Her firm stance reinforced her commitment to her identity and shut down the public speculation about her future relationships.

Betty Who’s Public Apology and Aftermath

Following the significant backlash and Reneé Rapp's public response, Betty Who issued a lengthy apology on her Instagram story.

In her statement, Who admitted that the language she used was "unintentionally hurtful" and acknowledged the harm her comments had caused to the lesbian community.

She expressed regret for contributing to a harmful narrative, specifically apologizing for the way she referenced Reneé Rapp. The apology was an attempt to clarify her intent, but also a recognition of the real-world impact of her words, particularly the feeling of erasure experienced by many lesbians.

The controversy served as a powerful reminder to public figures and media commentators about the importance of respecting the distinct identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum. It solidified Reneé Rapp's status as an outspoken advocate for lesbian visibility and authenticity, while prompting a wider discussion on the nuances of sexual orientation and public discourse.

Key Entities and Topics Related to the Controversy:

• Sexual Fluidity
• Lesbophobia
• Bisexual Identity
• Lesbian Erasure
• Heteronormativity
• Made It Out Podcast
• Cosmopolitan UK
• Regina George
• Snow Angel Album
• Fletcher (singer)
• JoJo Siwa
• The Sex Lives of College Girls
• Jessica Anne Newham
• Reneé Mary Jane Rapp
• Pop Music Community
• LGBTQ+ Discourse