Bebe Rexha Says Taylor Swift Reached Out After Designers Snubbed Her For The 2019 Grammys

What happened – the outreach and the viral clip

Pop star Bebe Rexha is known for chart-topping singles and big collaborations, but she still has a Grammy-era story that sticks. On September 29, 2026, journalist José Norberto Flesch tweeted an E! News video that brought an old moment back into the spotlight – Rexha saying that Taylor Swift reached out to her after designers refused to dress her for the 2019 Grammys.

The short clip traces that memory back to one of those high-profile carpet moments – Rexha points to the time she was walking the blue carpet at the MTV VMAs as part of the timeline. The resurfaced footage sparked fresh conversation about industry treatment of women who don’t fit a narrow sample size.

Rexha’s reaction – gratitude and a pointed industry callout

Thank-you from across the celeb network

Rexha said it felt meaningful that someone at Taylor Swift’s level reached out. She framed the gesture as a simple act of inclusion – a reminder that celebrity kindness can be quiet but powerful.

"It meant a lot that someone at her level reached out and made me feel like I belonged – that small message changed the whole night for me."

Why the outreach mattered

At the time, Rexha had described how hard it was to secure a Grammy dress because some designers labeled her “too big.” She pushed back against that thinking, calling out fashion houses for sending the message that women above a certain size aren’t welcome in their gowns.

Her frustration was clear – she refused to accept being sidelined and spoke up about how exclusionary sizing sent a damaging message about beauty and worth in the industry.

The 2019 Grammys look and the nominations

What she ultimately wore

Despite the runaround, Rexha walked the 2019 Grammys in a standout red tiered tulle gown by Monsoori. The dress became the evening’s solution after a tense search for something that fit both her and the moment.

Where she stood in awards season

At the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Bebe Rexha arrived with two nominations – Best New Artist and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Meant to Be.” That year, Dua Lipa walked away with Best New Artist, while Dan + Shay won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Tequila.”

The resurfaced clip and Rexha’s recollection serve as a reminder of how fashion gatekeeping can ripple into a performer’s public night. For many in the industry and on the West Coast scene, it reopened talks about representation on red carpets and backstage fittings.

Why this still resonates – the bigger picture

Rexha’s story isn’t just a celebrity anecdote – it’s a snapshot of how access and validation often happen behind the scenes. A private message from a fellow artist can make a big difference when formal channels fail.

For readers following red carpet culture from Los Angeles to beyond, the moment highlights that even high-profile nights are shaped by small, personal acts – and that the conversation about inclusivity in fashion is far from over.