Bebe Rexha Was Pressured To Lose Weight And Lived In Fear Of Being Raped

The star's most recent interview is a terrifying insight into just how badly young women are treated in the music industry

bebe rexha

by Bonnie McLaren |
Updated on

Bebe Rexha is one of the world’s most famous popstars, but her journey to the top has been far from easy. In an explosive interview with Cosmopolitian UK, the singer has shed light on the dark side of the music industry – detailing just how badly it can treat women.

Bebe says she feared for her life in one instance with a male producer. ‘I was alone in the studio and a [different] producer had a group of five or six guys with him,’ she recalls. ‘I had heard things about him from his past and I just couldn't take it any more. I felt like I was going to get raped. I quietly called myself a taxi from the recording booth, which was enclosed, and I got the fuck out of there. It was the worst night ever.'

Bebe added that Kesha's mother, Pebe Sebert, warned her not to work with the Dr Luke, whom Kesha alleges abused her throughout their working relationship. Dr Luke has denied all allegations.

Bebe said, 'I remember being at a dinner party with [Kesha and her mother]. Her mom came up to me and whispered, “Don't do it.” She was talking about working with Dr Luke. The music industry can be a dark place, and she could have been trying to stop me from getting in her daughter's way. But I listened and honestly? Trusting her was the best thing I ever did.'

The star – who made headlines around the world when she claimed designers wouldn’t dress her for the Grammys as she was ‘too big’ – also says that she was pressured to lose weight when she started in the business.

'When I first got signed, the label said, 'Are you ready to get in boot-camp shape?' They wanted me to lose 20lb (almost a stone and a half). Back then I was so small, I was only 130lb [around 9 stone]. It fucked me up,' she said during her interview.

'I was so cold all the time. I would starve myself before filming a music video. She'd [a female creative director] sit opposite me at the dinner table and say, “You're not losing enough.” All I was eating was salad.'

READ MORE: Bebe Rexha Tells Fans 'I’m Bipolar And I’m Not Ashamed Anymore'

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