Bebe Rexha Is Manifesting A Master’s In Psychology

Bebe Rexha’s mood board for her future contains an unexpected range of thrilling aspirations: more lingerie, a master’s degree in psychology, and something big related to food. “I’m not sure if it’s a restaurant, cookbook, or even a cooking show,” the 31-year-old Grammy nominee tells Bustle. “If it’s on my mood board, it will all happen. That’s what I’ve learned.”

Of those three aspirations, the “Meant To Be” and “Sacrifice” singer is already confronting her discomfort with sexy underwear — “lingerie always scared me a little bit,” she admits, echoing the struggle countless people face. But now, as the new face of intimates brand Adore Me, she’s swatting away her initial nerves to confidently model pieces from the brand’s Bebe Rexha collection, including a sheer white Pride bra and a hot pink bodysuit with lace detailing. “We need to break the stigma of it being a scary [thing] and feeling like you have to be a certain size to wear a certain piece of lingerie.”

Rexha especially loves the “super classic” one-pieces. “It looks so hot, so sexy,” she says. “I felt really good because sometimes I get a little insecure with my belly, and it just hits in all the right spots. There’s a little see-through vibe.” As she’s learned to love her body, Rexha has gone from being intimidated to being empowered. “It excites me now,” she says, adding this advice: “Wear a two-piece. Wear a thong. Show your stomach!”

Rexha has been following her own advice, showing off her body positivity and vocal prowess throughout the 2021 release cycle of her sophomore album Better Mistakes. During this music era, Rexha has turned out stunning looks, catchy songs (like “Break My Heart Myself” with Travis Barker and “Baby, I’m Jealous” with Doja Cat), and polished live performances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Good Morning America.

To learn more about Rexha’s other two goals pertaining to psychology and food, read Bustle’s Q&A, below, in which she reveals where she sees herself 16 years from now.

Bebe Rexha Q&A

Where do you see yourself 16 years from now?

Sixteen years from now? Wow. Well, I definitely want to get my master’s in psychology. I would love to help other entertainers in the music business and people in general as a therapist. Because I’ve been through a lot being in the public eye and being in the industry. I would love to help up-and-coming artists, actresses or actors, or younger people that might need it. Let them know what I’ve learned.

I just absolutely love food. I love cooking for people. I love feeding people. I love picking out olive oil. I’ve been going olive oil shopping when I’m in Spain.

And then I would love to do something with food. I’m not sure what capacity. I’m not sure if it’s a restaurant, cookbook, or even a cooking show. I just absolutely love food. I love cooking for people. I love feeding people. I love picking out olive oil. I’ve been going olive oil shopping when I’m in Spain. I really like stuff like that. I’ll put it on my mood board. If it’s on my mood board, it will all happen. That’s what I’ve learned.

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?

I would tell myself to take a deep breath, live in the moment, and not take everything to heart. I was so hard on myself. I still am. But I wish I was less hard on myself and [that] I enjoyed the moment more. Because I was so tough on myself. Even at the age of 16, I was so driven. I was always like, what’s next? What’s next? Why am I doing this? Why can’t I be doing this? I wish I would have just enjoyed the journey more. I would tell myself to take a deep breath and slow down.

Where and how are you celebrating Pride in 2021?

I’m in California, and it’s going to be a little different this year because of everything happening in the world. I am hosting iHeartRadio [Can’t Cancel Pride]. And we have Elton John. I’m hosting it [June 4] with Elvis Duran. I’m also performing — that’s the first thing I’m doing at the start of the month. We have some really cool people like Troye Sivan, Elton John, Busy Philipps, and Dolly Parton. That’s what I’m starting my Pride month with. It’s been pretty epic already.

Who inspires you in the LGBTQ+ community?

Lately, personally, I’ve been working with a lot of ballroom dancers. A lot of the women are transgender. They’ve been very inspiring to me artistically. I’ve been learning. I’m not a great ballroom dancer — when I say ballroom I mean voguing — I’m not great at it. But I really respect the history of it, how it helps a lot of LGBTQ+ members, and how it’s helped the community stay together. Being around them has been very inspiring to me — hearing their stories, what they’ve gone through, where they’re at, and how they use art as a form of healing.

What excites you about the Adore Me campaign with Brut? Are there any pieces you are loving?

Just the fact that we’re on the same page when it comes to inclusivity and sustainability and that makes me feel good. Where it’s not just like, “Here’s me doing a deal with a lingerie brand, me being a brand partner with a lingerie brand. And here I am. I look sexy.” It's more than that. [I’m loving] the Amika Dark Pink one piece. It looks so hot, so sexy. I felt really good because sometimes I get a little insecure with my belly, and it just hits in all the right spots. There’s a little see-through vibe. And there was a corset piece I wore with a belt. I really love a good corset that just cinches you in.