Renée Rapp quits Mindy Kaling's HBO series Sex Lives of College Girls
Renée Rapp has lawyered up in order to quit Mindy Kaling's HBO series The Sex Lives of College Girls.
The actress, 23, has reportedly hired 'top Hollywood attorney' Bryan Freedman to help her get out of her contract, as reported by Page Six. Freedman has previously represented Megyn Kelly, Gabrielle Union and Don Lemon.
The Broadway star — who is next set to star in Tina Fey's Mean Girls: The Musical film — also apparently announced a music tour without getting her show boss' permission.
'Both sides have been working to resolve things. There are a lot of egos at play,' a source told the publication of the situation.
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Rapp.
Exit strategy: Renée Rapp has lawyered up in order to quit Mindy Kaling's HBO series The Sex Lives of College Girls; Pictured 2021 in Los Angeles
Another insider told the publication that there are no issues between Rapp and Kaling, 44, but confirmed that Rapp announced her music tour without informing Kaling.
The tour starts in September and will take Rapp through US, Europe, the UK and Ireland.
'Renée wanted to leave the show to tour and they're currently working out the best creative solution for her departure, but she announced the tour without having clearance from the show,' the source revealed.
'Mindy is a multi-hyphenate and is supportive of people who want to do different things and play to their talents, but she has to figure out what happens to Renée’s character. This is not the way anyone would have wanted [Rapp’s exit] to happen.'
Kaling reportedly does not want Rapp to leave as it would break up the main four character dynamic. Rapp is willing to film scenes in order to make her exit from the show more seamless, however Kaling is hoping to get her 'to stay more permanently.'
The sourced added that Rapp will most likely finish her episodes early on in Season 3.
Rapp — who plays openly gay student Leighton Murray on the hit series — shared a statement to her Instagram on Monday reflecting on the importance of the role and queer representation and thanking Kaling.
'College girls moved me out to LA introduced me to some of my favorite people. 2 and a half years later - it's given me y'all and this community,' it read.
'thank u mindy, justin and everyone at Max for believing in me. a lot of queer work gets belittled — but playing Leighton has changed my life.'
Leaving: The actress, 23, reportedly hired 'top Hollywood attorney' Bryan Freedman to help her get out of her contract, as reported by Page Six; Pictured (L) in a promo shot for the show
Ego: The Broadway star also apparently announced a music tour without getting Kaling's permission, with a source stating, 'Both sides have been working to resolve things. There are a lot of egos at play'; Rapp pictured with Kaling in 2022
Grateful: Rapp — who plays openly gay student Leighton Murray on the hit series — shared a statement to her Instagram on Monday reflecting on the importance of the role and queer representation and thanking Kaling
All love: Kaling also posted to Instagram, writing, 'We love @Reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye Leighton Murray! But we can’t wait to see our friend on tour!!'
Hit series: The comedy-drama series was renewed for a third season at HBO Max last December. Aside from Rapp, the series stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, and Alyah Chanelle Scott in the lead roles
'i love who i am 10x more than i did before knowing her. I hope she gave y'all a little but of that too. She's such a tiny part of representation but even the tiny parts count.'
'I wouldn't be half the person I am without her and u'all. i love that b**** more than you know. I'm so excited for this season and I can't wait for you to see what we have coming for her and the girls.'
Kaling also posted to Instagram on Monday with a screenshot from an article revealing Rapp was leaving the show. She wrote in a text overlay: 'We love @Reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye Leighton Murray! But we can’t wait to see our friend on tour!!'
Rapp has previously shared that she 'hated' filming the first season of the series while appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
'The first year doing "College Girls" was terrible. It was terrible. It sucked so bad, because at the time, I was in a heteronormative relationship,' she said.
'I hated going to work, because I was like, "I don’t think I’m like good enough to be here. I don’t think I can be here. I don’t think I can be doing this." I was like, "Maybe I’m just trying too hard." And then I would come home and I would psych myself out, literally.’
Kaling and Justin Noble's comedy-drama series was renewed for a third season at HBO Max last December.
Upon its debut, the storyline followed four freshman roommates at the prestigious New England Essex College in Vermont.
Next up: Rapp will next reprise her role as Regina George in Tina Fey's Mean Girls movie musical; (L-R) Kate Rockwell, Tina Fey and Taylor Louderman at the opening night of Mean Girls on Broadway
Iconic: She originally played the iconic teen role four years ago in the Broadway adaptation
Described as a bundle of contradictions and hormones in another report by Deadline, these young ladies were said to be equal parts lovable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives, which includes their sex activities, on campus.
Aside from Rapp, the series stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, and Alyah Chanelle Scott in the lead roles, while the cast of regulars for season two included the likes of Mekki Leeper, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Lolo Spencer, Renika Williams and Mitchell Slaggert.
Rapp will next reprise her role as Regina George in the Mean Girls movie musical. She originally played the iconic teen role four years ago in the Broadway adaptation.
The original 2004 Mean Girls movie proved to be a surprise hit at the box office, earning $86 million domestic and $128.9 million worldwide, from just a $17 million budget.
It has since gone on to achieve cult status and consistently ranks as one of pop culture's ultimate teen films.
Source: Daily Mail
