Bebe Rexha criticises sexist music producer who said she is 'too old to be sexy'
'I make my own rules'
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Bebe Rexha has shared an empowering message about ageism in the music industry after being called "too old" by a sexist executive.
On Monday, the 29-year-old singer shared a black-and-white photograph of herself posing in her underwear on Instagram.
In the caption, Rexha revealed that she had recently been told by a male music executive that she was “too old to be sexy".
“I recently had a MALE music executive tell me that I was getting 'too old' and that my brand was ‘confusing',” Rexha wrote.
“Because…I’m a songwriter and I post sexy pics on my Instagram and that’s not what female songwriters are suppose [sic] to do, especially for my age. I’m 29.”
The "Meant to Be" singer explained that she is “fed up with being put in a box” and tired of stereotypes that maintain older women shouldn't be deemed attractive.
Rexha then stated that as her 30th birthday approaches later this month, she will no longer be “running away” from such outdated cliché’s.
“I’m not gonna lie about my age or sing songs that I feel will sell better because they sound ‘younger’,” Rexha added.
“I’m gonna celebrate my age because you know what, I’m wiser, I’m stronger and TRUST ME I’m a much better lover than I was 10 years ago.”
Several of Rexha’s celebrity friends commented on the post with messages of support, including fellow singer Rita Ora, who wrote: “My sexy songwriting [crown emoji] You are beautiful, getting sexier with age and your talent SINGS for itself. Keep making those rules.“
Taylor Swift added: “DRAG THEM. 29 YEARS OLD UNITE.”
While Victoria's Secret model Leomie Anderson commented: “Thank you for not allowing these d***heads to make you shrink yourself to fit into their idea of what a woman in the music industry should be.
“You’re bad b**** Bebe and no I didn’t stutter.”
On Twitter, Rexha dedicated the same black-and-white photo to the “music executive who said I am too old to be sexy".
In a follow-up tweet, the singer explained that “there’s no age that you can’t be sexy", adding: “I’m not scared to speak out. Especially if it’s my truth.”
Rexha has long been a champion for body positivity. Earlier this year, the singer shared a bikini photo of herself with a powerful message about photo editing.
“I probably should of photoshopped my stomach and made it look flat,” Rexha wrote.
“I probably should of photoshopped my legs to make them look thinner. I probably should of made myself look taller and smoothed my legs. But I didn’t.
“Society can really f*** with you. Here is what a real woman looks like on Instagram without photoshop."
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