Bebe Rexha reveals how Taylor Swift reached out after designers refused to dress her at Grammys

Bebe Rexha recalled feeling supported by Taylor Swift after struggling to find a designer willing to dress her for the 2019 Grammys
Bebe Rexha recalled Taylor Swift's kindness after her difficult experience ahead of the 2019 Grammys (AP Photo/Jordan Strauss)
Bebe Rexha recalled Taylor Swift's kindness after her difficult experience ahead of the 2019 Grammys (AP Photo/Jordan Strauss)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bebe Rexha has recalled Taylor Swift’s kindness towards her at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 27. The singer shared how Swift reached out to her after designers refused to dress her for the 2019 Grammys because of her size.

The 37-year-old singer said Swift’s gesture made her feel like she belonged during a difficult time. Rexha opened up about the moment while speaking to E! News at the VMAs.



Bebe Rexha recalls Taylor Swift reaching out

Rexha told E! News, “I couldn't find a dress, and she had reached out to me because we're the same age and I thought that was really, really, really kind of her.”

“Nobody really reached out—like some people did, but for her, at such a high level, to make me feel like I belong was really, really nice,” the ‘Hysteria’ singer added.

Bebe Rexha arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Bebe Rexha arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27, 2026 (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Bebe Rexha stuns in a lacy dress at the VMAs

At the MTV Video Music Awards, Rexha looked stunning in a lacy, racy number from Dreaming Elie’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection.

She accentuated her look by adding a pair of Jimmy Choo’s Scarlett lace boots and diamond jewels by Loree Rodkin.

Bebe Rexha remembers Dolly Parton

During the same event, the songwriter also talked about Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 at the age of 80. Rexha and the late icon had worked together on their 2023 song ‘Seasons’.

“She is the baddest b---h. Her corset was tighter than mine. Her heels were insane, and then I looked at my outfit, and I was like, ‘I feel like I'm not doing enough.’ She had her hair so high,” she recalled.

Bebe Rexha performs onstage during the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards at Microsoft Theater on March 04, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Bebe Rexha performed at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on March 4, 2023 (Getty Images)

The ‘I'm a Mess’ singer also added that Parton was “like the most energetic, kind, chill. I loved it because sometimes when you meet your idols, they kind of let you down. I've been in situations like that, but with her, she was amazing.”

Bebe Rexha pays tribute to Dolly Parton

This came a month after Rexha had paid heartfelt tribute to Parton in a social media post after the legend’s passing.

Addressing the ‘9 to 5’ hitmaker, she wrote, “Dear Dolly, Getting to sing with you was one of those dreams I never really believed would become real until it did. I remember receiving your signed letter and thinking how incredibly special it was that someone as legendary as you could still make another person feel so seen. And then I got to work with you.”

Rexha also praised Parton for being a powerful and empowered woman. She added, “You showed generations of women that there is strength in knowing exactly who you are. I’ll always be grateful that our paths crossed and that I got to share a song with you. ‘Seasons’ will forever mean something different to me because your voice is on it.”

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