Entertainment

Bebe Rexha’s Ups and Downs Over the Years on August 2, 2023 at 2:25 am Us Weekly

Published

2 years ago

August 2, 2023

Bebe Rexha’s personal life has made just as many headlines as her three-time Grammy-nominated music career.

June and July 2023 were two particularly rough months for the singer, who was not only pelted in the face by a phone — thrown on stage by a concertgoer at her New York City show — but she also shared alleged text messages from her then-boyfriend, Keyan Safyari, commenting on her weight.

“I always said I would be honest with you and your face was changing so I told you it was … that was the conversation we were having and you asked,” read the supposed text from Safyari, which Rexha shared via Twitter. “Because I care, would you rather I lied to you?” He also told Rexha she gained “35 pounds.”

Rexha — who revealed her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis two months prior — revealed in late July that she and Safyari were no longer together.

Keyan Safyari,Bebe Rexha. venezia2020/IPA / SplashNews.com

Keep scrolling to see Rexha’s ups and downs through the years:

She Wrote Rihanna and Eminem’s ‘The Monster’

Rexha was the brains behind Eminem and Rihanna’s 2013 smash hit — which she manifested years prior.

“I wrote [on paper], ‘I will write an international smash,’ and shortly after, it was when we did ‘Monster,’ and it was an international smash,” Rexha recalled in a 2014 Beats Music video.

As for the lyrical intent behind the biting track, Rexha shared that it was born from the difficulty of feeling “OK in my own skin.”

“It was a message to myself saying, ‘It’s OK that you’re not perfect,’” she explained. “I’m gonna learn to love myself and accept myself even though I’m a little crazy.”

Nominated for 3 Grammys

Rexha earned her first Grammy nominations in 2019, when she was up for both Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Meant to Be,” her collaboration with Florida Georgia Line.

The singer-songwriter received her third nomination four years later for her hit “I’m Good (Blue).” The song was up for Best Dance/Electronic Recording.

Bebe Rexha’s Dad Slut-Shamed Her

In 2019, Rexha shared a text from her dad, who lambasted the sexual elements in her music career.

“You better stop posting stupid pornography because you make me sick,” he allegedly wrote, as Rexha shared via her Instagram Story at the time. “I can’t take this anymore.” She captioned the screenshot, “My dad hates me,” with a face-palm emoji.

After fans were quick to slam her father’s comments, Rexha tried to smooth over the situation by defending her dad.

“Don’t say mean things about my dad please he is an amazing father,” she wrote via Twitter in since-deleted posts. ”My dad is not a bad guy. I should of never have posted that screenshot. I’m disappointed in myself. I was being sarcastic. I understand where he is coming [from] as a father and that’s why the text was a bit harsh. I am upset that he still isn’t speaking to me, but he is still my father.”

PCOS Diagnosis

In May 2023, Rexha — who has been candid about her body image over the years — shared on The Jennifer Hudson Show that she was diagnosed with PCOS.

“It’s one of the leading causes of why women gain weight and are obese. I literally jumped, like, 30 pounds so quickly, maybe a little bit more,” Rexha explained. “But we gotta just be positive and just show people love.”

Scary Concert Incident

Rexha was performing at New York City’s Pier 17 when a concertgoer — later identified as New Jersey resident Nicolas Malvagna — chucked a phone at her on stage. Rexha, who had to get stitches and suffered a black eye, shared photos of the injury via social media after the incident.

Malvagna, meanwhile, was arrested and charged with assault.

Courtesy of Bebe Rexha/Instagram

A Body-Shaming Boyfriend

In July 2023, Rexha held nothing back when sharing alleged texts from Safyari, who repeatedly made negative comments about her weight gain.

“Obviously you gained weight and your face changes? Should I pretend it didn’t happen and that it’s ok?” he questioned in the messages. “Come on I gain 3 pounds and you call me chubbs and fat. Doesn’t mean you don’t love me. If you’re trying to find reasons to break up this makes sense … but it’s not the real reason.”

Rexha confirmed that she and the filmmaker split later that month.

“Now I just went through a breakup, so I might get a little emotional,” she told the crowd at her London show.

Bebe Rexha’s personal life has made just as many headlines as her three-time Grammy-nominated music career. June and July 2023 were two particularly rough months for the singer, who was not only pelted in the face by a phone — thrown on stage by a concertgoer at her New York City show — but she

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Career Growth

“A Simple Favor” Sequel: Cast Reunites at SXSW

Published

8 hours ago

March 10, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The cast of “A Simple Favor” recently reunited at SXSW to discuss the upcoming sequel. The excitement was palpable as they shared insights into revisiting their iconic characters and what audiences can expect from the new installment.

Returning to Familiar Roles

Director Paul Feig expressed his initial hesitation about sequels, stating, “I’ve always shied away from doing a sequel because I think they’re really terrifying, and I haven’t seen many sequels that I like.” However, his love for the characters and the first film’s success on streaming platforms ultimately convinced him to revisit the story.

Anna Kendrick, who plays Stephanie, shared her enthusiasm for embracing a more unkempt version of her character. “I was really excited to play Stephanie but in sneers,” she said, hinting at a humorous evolution for her character.

Blake Lively, returning as the enigmatic Emily, expressed her love for the character, calling her “probably my favorite character I’ve ever been fortunate enough to play.” She also teased a “curveball idea” from Feig that upped the ante and made things “very uncomfortable to watch.”

Glamour and Intrigue in Capri

The sequel takes the characters to the glamorous island of Capri, a setting that Feig was determined to use despite budgetary concerns. Lively raved about the location, saying, “I want to live there, I love it so much…it’s just magical.”

New cast members Alex and Mel also shared their excitement about joining the project and filming in Capri. Mel humorously stated, “Who doesn’t want to get paid to film in Capri while working with Paul [Feig]?”

Spoilers and Twists

The cast was careful to avoid spoilers, emphasizing the many twists and turns in the film. Kendrick jokingly warned, “Stephanie stand the up dude…this is your tormentor, stab her in the neck bro, grow up here.” This comment hints at the complex and potentially dangerous relationship between Stephanie and Emily in the sequel.

A Collaborative Spirit

Andrew Rannells and Bashir Salahuddin, who are also returning for the sequel, praised Feig’s collaborative directing style. Rannells noted that Feig is “very open to letting actors improvise but also knows when to tell them that’s enough.”

Overall, the cast and director conveyed a sense of excitement and camaraderie, promising a sequel that will be both thrilling and hilarious.

Bolanle Media covers a wide range of topics, including film, technology, and culture. Our team creates easy-to-understand articles and news pieces that keep readers informed about the latest trends and events. If you’re looking for press coverage or want to share your story with a wider audience, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us today to discuss how we can help bring your news to life

Career Growth

Issa Rae: Giving Flowers and Calling Out History in “Seen and Heard”

Published

9 hours ago

March 10, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Issa Rae, the creative force behind the groundbreaking series “Insecure,” is back with a new project that’s already generating buzz: “Seen and Heard.” This HBO docu-series is a deep dive into the history of Black television, celebrating the triumphs, acknowledging the struggles, and examining the lasting impact of representation on screen. During a conversation at SXSW, Rae discussed the making of “Seen and Heard,” her early influences, and her complicated relationship with reality TV.

Chronicling Black TV History: A Comprehensive Look

Rae emphasized the importance of creating a “comprehensive, rich history of Black television,” particularly during a time when Black creators are experiencing a renaissance in the industry. The series features interviews with television icons like Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Debbie Allen, Mara Brock Akil and Tyler Perry, who share their personal journeys and insights. Rae credits executive Montrell McKay and director Giselle Bailey for bringing her vision to life. She praised Bailey’s “cinematic” approach, which elevates “Seen and Heard” beyond the typical documentary format.

One of the most impactful aspects of the docu-series is its exploration of how Black audiences were used to build up networks, only to be abandoned later. Rae notes that having creators and showrunners recount this history firsthand makes the experience undeniable and is a critical part of understanding the full picture of Black television’s evolution.

Reality TV: A Villain Origin Story

Rae revealed that reality television played a significant role in shaping her desire to create meaningful content. As a child of the ’90s, she grew up watching shows like “Moesha,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “A Different World,” which made her feel like she wanted to be a part of the television landscape. However, the rise of reality TV, particularly the portrayal of Black women, left her feeling frustrated and underrepresented.

Rae described her relationship with shows like “Flavor of Love” as “hate-watching.” She explained a specific incident during the show’s second season premiere when a contestant was denied access to the restroom and ended up urinating on the floor on TV. This moment, she said, sparked a realization that “there has to be more than this,” and motivated her to start film blogging and eventually create her own content. Rae even jokingly gives “shout out to my haters” for inspiring her to “make something” instead of just complaining.

“Insecure” and the LA Love Letter

The conversation also touched on the lasting impact of “Insecure,” particularly its connection to Los Angeles. Rae expressed her appreciation for fans who visit landmarks featured in the show, creating their own “Insecure” LA tours. She shared a story about meeting a fan who was introduced to Worldwide Tacos through the show, highlighting how “Insecure” served as a love letter to the city. Ultimately, Rae finds it incredibly rewarding when people tell her that “Insecure” has inspired them to “do their own thing.”

Issa Rae’s “Seen and Heard” promises to be a powerful and insightful exploration of Black television history, filled with both celebration and critical analysis. By examining the past and present of representation on screen, Rae continues to inspire a new generation of storytellers and push the boundaries of what’s possible in television.

Business

The Last of Us” Season 2: Cast and Creators Share Insights at SXSW

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

The cast and creators of the highly anticipated second season of “The Last of Us” gathered at SXSW to discuss the upcoming season. The panel featured cast members Pedro Pascal (Joel), Bella Ramsey (Ellie), Gabriel Luna (Tommy), Kaitlyn Dever (Abby), Isabela Merced (Dina), and Young Mazino (Jesse), along with co-creators Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin.

Navigating Expectations and Surprising Fans

With the immense success of season one, Druckmann and Mazin acknowledged the pressure to deliver a worthy follow-up. Mazin emphasized their approach to cater to both fans of the game and newcomers to the series. “We try and think about the people who have played the game and make sure that we keep them on their toes and a little bit surprised,” Mazin stated. Druckmann highlighted the emotional weight of adapting “The Last of Us Part II,” emphasizing the dedication of the entire production team to doing justice to the source material.

A Glimpse into Season 2

Attendees were treated to a trailer for season two, offering a glimpse into the evolving relationship between Joel and Ellie five years after the events of the first season. Ramsey described the changed dynamic, hinting at a rift between the characters. Pascal added that their relationship is in “a different place” and that it is “fucking heartbreaking”.

Big Ideas: Tribalism, Love, and Loss

The creators delved into the central themes of season two, including tribalism, the destructive nature of love, and the consequences of loss. Druckmann explained that the season explores the complexities of community and the dehumanization that can occur when groups clash. Mazin emphasized the escalation of these themes, highlighting the potential for isolation and the lengths characters will go to protect their loved ones.

New and Expanded Characters

The panel also touched on new characters and expanded roles in season two. Gabriel Luna discussed Tommy’s evolution into a father, emphasizing how it solidifies his purpose and strengthens his commitment to protecting his family and community. The introduction of new characters like Gail, played by Catherine O’Hara, and the expansion of existing characters like Isaac, played by Jeffrey Wright, promise to add depth and nuance to the narrative. Additionally, the inclusion of Joe Pantoliano as Eugene, a character mentioned but not seen in the game, offers a rewarding experience for longtime fans.

Music as a Binding Force

Music continues to play a significant role in “The Last of Us,” particularly in the relationship between Joel and Ellie. Ramsey shared that music serves as a bonding experience for the characters, mirroring the connection between the actors on set. The guitar, a symbol of Joel’s promise to teach Ellie, takes on a more prominent role in season two.

Diving into the Game

The actors discussed their individual approaches to engaging with the source material. Kaitlyn Dever shared her experience playing the game with her father, while Young Mazino admitted to playing the second game up to a certain point.

How to Find More Free Events

SXSW Official Schedule: Use the SXSW website to filter for free events.
Eventbrite: Browse listings for unofficial SXSW events, many of which are free or low-cost.

Whether you’re a badge holder or not, SXSW 2025 offers something for everyone. From delicious food to live music and interactive experiences, there’s no shortage of fun to be had without spending a fortune. So, grab your friends and enjoy the best of Austin without a badge!