Arts & Entertainment
Bebe Rexha calls ‘Drag Race’ contestants ‘cold’ for not recognizing her
Aquaria clapped back at the pop star

Bebe Rexha performing at VH1’s Trailblazer Honors (Screenshot via YouTube)
Bebe Rexha got a little upset when some “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestants didn’t recognize her at VH1’s Trailblazer Honors.
Rexha, 28, opened the show with a performance of “In the Name of Love” but tweeted that things weren’t so friendly backstage.
“I met some of the contestants from ru Pauls drag race and I wasn’t in Hair and Makeup so they didn’t know it was me and they were COLD af,” she tweeted.
I met some of the contestants from ru Pauls drag race and I wasn’t in Hair and Makeup so they didn’t know it was me and they were COLD af.
— Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) July 3, 2018
“The funny thing is they actually presented my performance. But ladies it doesn’t take much to be nice. Eureka was the only one to hug me,” she continued.
The funny thing is they actually presented my performance. But ladies it doesn’t take much to be nice. Eureka was the only one to hug me. ??
— Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) July 3, 2018
Rexha elaborated on her experience saying that “They just were cold and didn’t talk to anyone like they were the shit. And they seemed exhausted, but try my schedule and let’s talk ladies.”
Eureka responded to Rexha tweeting “We love you!!!!! Trust me and we were so honored to announce you if anything we were a lil nervous and Anxious. I hope to meet you again so we can change this opinion. Love you.”
We love you!!!!! Trust me and we were so honored to announce you if anything we were a lil nervous and Anxious. I hope to meet you again so we can change this opinion. Love you ❤??
— Eureka! The ?? (@eurekaohara) July 3, 2018
Aquaria also replied directly to Rexha saying she was “mushy brained” during their interaction.
“I totally was so mushy brained that I didn’t realize until it was too late but lady you sounded INCREDIBLE in ur performances and I am living for the new album!!! Congrats and we need a picture next time,” Aquaria tweeted.
Rexha accepted the apology tweeting back “It’s okay sis. I get it. I was just really sad, cause I really love you guys, I just want to be you’re best-friend.”
It’s okay sis. I get it. I was just really sad, cause I really love you guys, I just want to be you’re best-friend. ? https://t.co/E7jy8481qX
— Bebe Rexha (@BebeRexha) July 3, 2018
However, in a Twitter thread Aquaria sounded off on Rexha slamming the “Drag Race” girls.
“We’re really just artists who were being swept through a crazy week in our lives where we nearly had a second to take things in,” Aquaria tweeted. “I don’t think any of us would intend to be rude or shady to any other performer and if people knew anything about us it’s that we are far more humble and real than anyone else would expect. Instead of being grateful and enjoying the night. We’re now on twitter complaining about the same thing everyone always tries to pit on drag queens that we’re stuck up bitches who don’t have time for the people who enjoy our work. We were all so impressed with the performances at the trailblazers and so grateful to be included.”
But that’s okay too! I don’t think any of us would intend to be rude or shady to any other performer and if people knew anything about us it’s that we are far more humble and real than anyone else would expect. Instead of being grateful and enjoying the night
— Aquaria (@aquariaofficial) July 3, 2018
Plenty of people won’t recognize us out of drag and I always used to witness this personally so I understand how miss Bebe may have felt but we aren’t nasty bitches. Did VH1 ask our clown asses to perform? Absolutely not. So you win. I was actually very happy to meet you and
— Aquaria (@aquariaofficial) July 3, 2018
Introduce u & really enjoyed your performance as well as the beautiful choir that was singing with you. Stop tryna do whatever Nicki Minaj is talking about and jumpin online and making us the bad guys. We love u babe. The kids love u. We’re not trying to be stuck up and rude
— Aquaria (@aquariaofficial) July 3, 2018
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)














Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
