Bebe Rexha x Sherri Hill is almost too good of a combo to be true — while Rexha's vocals dazzle at award shows and concerts, Hill's dresses shine on red carpets, pageants and prom nights. The two worlds collided this New York Fashion Week, at Hill's Spring 2020 show at Cipriani in Midtown. Rhinestones were scattered across attendees' dresses (while loose ones dotted the floor), an array of members of the cast of Dance Moms sat front row, and a buzzing crowd waited patiently for Rexha to perform.
The dresses ranged from glitzy neon slips to silky long-armed gowns, always worn with a smile by each model that walked down the runway, including PAPER cover star, Halima Aden. Rexha performed twice for the crowd of brooding debutante attendees. Imagine my surprise when she told PAPER after the show that she was feeling super sick all day.
"I am so sick. I think I have strep throat right now," she says with a grimace. When I say that, judging by her performance, I couldn't even tell, she replies, "Oh I could, I feel like I'm dying. That's okay, I'm happy!"
Sherri Hill holds a special place in Rexha's heart, she tells me with a smile. "I grew up going to buy prom dresses and stuff, and actually when I put some of her stuff on now it's like, 'Fuck, it looks incredible on my body!'" As far as performing for a crowd of stars and eager Sherri Hill fans while having strep, she notes that it's not her wildest NYFW moment to date. "I got crazier moments, but this is definitely one of the hardest. You know the show must go on, and I couldn't miss this."
My final question was one I couldn't resist asking — if you're anything like me, you've seen, and are subsequently obsessed with, this video of a Rexhar rapping to Bebe in a meet and greet. It's become something of a gold star meme of the month.
Her take? "I loved it! That was iconic." We stan a gracious queen.
Photo via Getty