RENÉE RAPP SAYS SHE WOULD PLAY ‘MARISKA HARGITAY’S LOVER’ ON SVU
Reneé Rapp’s Love for SVU
During downtime while preparing for her “Bite Me Tour,” Reneé Rapp likely binges her favorite show: Law & Order: SVU. The NBC procedural has captivated her for years, especially Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson and Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler.
“I love them,” Rapp said in May on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast. “And I also kind of think Christopher Meloni is f—— jacked.”
Her Dream Role
Rapp stopped by TODAY in June to talk about her album Bite Me and perform. She also answered questions for the “8 Before 8” series. When asked which character she’d want to play on SVU, she didn’t hesitate.
“Let me tell ya,” Rapp said, “I would be — Mariska Hargitay’s lover. She would be gay, finally.”
Rapp explained her choice by referencing a Season 11 episode titled P.C., starring Kathy Griffin. In that episode, Benson works with Griffin’s Babs Duffy, the leader of a lesbian rights group. Babs pushes boundaries, even kissing Benson, which leads Stabler to question if Benson is attracted to women.
Rapp joked that she would step into that role: “We would somehow get tangled in, like, an undercover kind of mission, probably with a drug empire.”
Advocate and Role Model
Rapp is known for her openness about her sexuality. She publicly came out as a lesbian during a Saturday Night Live sketch in January 2024, having previously identified as bisexual. She has become a beloved figure in the LGBTQ+ community, with fans affectionately calling themselves “young ex-wives,” referencing her song Colorado.
Looking Ahead
Rapp will kick off her Bite Me Tour in September. SVU returns for its 27th season on September 25, giving fans plenty to look forward to — both from the show and from the multitalented performer.