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Bebe Rexha | Source: Getty Images
Bebe Rexha | Source: Getty Images

Bebe Rexha's Albanian Ethnicity: The American Singer Was Born to Macedonian Parents

Naomi Wanjala
Jun 21, 2023
02:45 A.M.

Bebe Rexha is proud of her Albanian roots and often expresses her love and appreciation for her heritage. While Bebe Rexha's ethnicity is Albanian, she was born and raised in New York.

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Bebe Rexha has won the hearts of many thanks to her powerful vocals and outstanding performances. The American singer has established a loyal fan base following her hit songs such as "Meant to Be," "I'm a Mess and "In the Name of Love."

The highly talented and versatile singer also embraces her cultural background and incorporates it into her music. While Bebe Rexha was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, she is proud of her Albanian heritage.

Bebe Rexha at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023, in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Bebe Rexha at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023, in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Bebe Rexha's Albanian Ethnicity: Embracing Her Cultural Roots and Family Heritage

Bebe Rexha's parents are Albanian. During an interview with Voice of America, the singer revealed her father hails from Debar, Macedonia, and her mother's parents are from Gostivar, Macedonia. Even though her parents relocated to the U.S. in the 1980s, the singer emphasized her family's importance in maintaining their cultural heritage.

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The singer behind Eminem and Rihanna's hit song "The Monster" expressed her strong connection to her roots, noting that she and her parents frequently travel to Macedonia to stay in touch with their extended family. Additionally, they actively participate in various family gatherings and occasions held in Macedonia.

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In 2019, Bebe demonstrated her solidarity with Albanians by visiting families impacted by a devastating earthquake in Albania. As a U.S.-born artist with Albanian heritage, she actively sought donations and assistance from her fans.

Bebe acknowledged her own mistake in sharing the screenshot, expressing disappointment in herself and admitting that it was inappropriate to have done so.

She dedicated two days of her tour to personally visiting affected families, providing them with essential supplies, and aiding in reconstructing their homes. Fellow singers Rita Ora and Dua Lipa, who also have Albanian roots, promptly supported the earthquake victims following the tragedy.

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Bebe Rexha's Father Once Condemned Her over One of Her Music Videos

In February 2019, Bebe shared on her Instagram Story a screenshot of a critical message she had received from her father, Flamur Rexha. In the text, her father disapproved of her posting explicit videos.

He conveyed his deep upset and even mentioned feeling embarrassed to be seen in public due to her social media content. Fans of the singer were quick to criticize Flamur for his comments towards his daughter, as they felt it was unfair and unsupportive.

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Following the backlash, Bebe removed the screenshot from her social media and addressed the situation on Twitter. She came to her father's defense, urging fans to refrain from commenting negatively about him, emphasizing that her father was an amazing parent.

She acknowledged her own mistake in sharing the screenshot, expressing disappointment in herself, and admitted that it was inappropriate to have done so. Despite the misunderstanding, Flamur still supports her and often pays her sweet tributes on Instagram.

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Bebe Rexha's Mother Is Her 'Best Friend'

Bebe has a great relationship with her mother, Bukie Rexha. The mother-daughter duo occasionally feature each other on social media and pay each other heartwarming tributes. In 2019, the singer shared a sweet selfie of her and her mother and wrote, "My love. My best friend. My mom."

Bebe's relationship with her mother inspired her song titled "Mama." Their shared experiences influenced the song's heartfelt lyrics and emotional tone. Also, the singer once thanked her mother for supporting her musical journey and refusing to marry her off as a teen in Albanian tradition.

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