Bebe Rexha has long been a fan favorite among LGBTQ audiences. Now, in a new interview, she’s ready to explain why being a member of the community makes that connection even more special for her.
Speaking with Gay Times, the “Meant to Be” singer explained that she doesn’t have an explicit label that she places on her sexuality, because to her, attraction doesn’t necessarily have a label. “What I believe about sexuality is this: It’s a scale,” she said. “Have I gone out with girls before? Yes. Have I dated girls? Yes, I have. And famous ones, but I’m not naming them. Even though people would be living for it – no! Have I fallen in love with a girl before? Yes. But right now, I’m in a relationship with a guy.”
The star elaborated, explaining that she understands why labels like “bisexual” and “pansexual” work for others. But for her, none of those labels seem to fit with her personal identity. “It’s just so hard because everybody wants to put people in boxes and I don’t like boxes, as you can tell with my music,” she said. “Like, I don’t like boxes whatsoever.”
While she won’t divulge whom she’s dated in the past, Rexha did speak about how her past relationships with women have been too tumultuous for her personal liking. “The only thing I will say is that when I’m in a relationship with a girl, it’s just too emotional. The power … I personally cannot deal with that,” she said.
A big reason why the star has been able to be more open about her sexuality in recent years, she said, is because of the massive support she’s received from queer fans since the start of her career. “I can’t tell you how many [fans] told me that they came out to their parents and got kicked out and saved up all their money to come to [my] tour,” she said. “Like, I didn’t realize my music could do that, that it actually could give people strength.”
Check out the full interview, where Rexha also discusses her new music, her musical origins and more, here.