Bebe Rexha is turning 30 on August 30th and she doesn’t care who knows.
The singer-songwriter recently took to Instagram to speak out against ageism in the music industry. She dedicated the post to a music executive who told her she was getting “too old” and that her brand was “confusing” because she posts sexy pictures on Instagram.
Rexha proclaimed that she is “fed up with being put into box” and makes her own rules. She also said she’s “tired of women getting labeled as ‘hags’ when they get old and guys get labeled sexy with age.”
Nothing, not even her age or a sleazy music executive, is going to dictate what songs she writes or the clothes she wears. “I’m not gonna lie about my age or sing songs that I feel will sell better because they sound ‘younger,'” she said, “I’m gonna celebrate my age because you know what, I’m much wiser, I’m stronger and TRUST ME I’m a much better lover than I was 10 years ago.”
Many celebrities and influencers, including Taylor Swift, Lauren Jauregui, Rita Ora, and Jamie Lynn Spears, praised Rexha for her statement. Swift commented on the Instagram post, “DRAG THEM. 29 YEAR OLDS UNITE,” while Ora commented, “You are beautiful, getting sexier with age and your talent SINGS for itself. Keep making those rules.”
This isn’t the first time Rexha has spoken out against the entertainment industry’s hostile culture. In February 2019, she called out designers who refused to dress her for the Grammy’s because she her 6/8 dress size was “too big.” After speaking her mind, she was able to find the perfect dress of the ceremony.
Sure, there are probably Hollywood traditionalists who would very much prefer stars to mind their P’s and Q’s, but without outspoken influencers like Rexha speaking up when the status quo isn’t fair, we wouldn’t have as much diversity in what kind of bodies and ages we see represented in our media. We see you, Bebe! Keep fighting the good fight!
Do you think 30 is too old? Let us know in the comments!