People are accusing singer Bebe Rexha of ‘blackfishing’ after performance with Doja Cat

Among the many stars at last night’s American Music Awards was Bebe Rexha, who performed her song ‘Baby, I’m Jealous’ with Doja Cat.

But viewers were more concerned with her appearance than her vocals.

The singer has been accused of “blackfishing”, a term used to describe white women who attempt to pass off as Black or mixed race using make-up.

Viewers spotted Rexha with a tan that made her skin tone match Doja Cat’s. Others believed she even looked darker than Doja Cat.

Rexha’s parents are Albanian and the singer has called herself a “white girl” in the past, while Doja Cat is biracial.

Those who sat down to watch the American Music Awards were caught by surprise by Rexha’s appearance.

“Bebe Rexha is literally white and she's out here looking more brown than me and I’m half Black,” one viewer tweeted.

“Why are Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat the same color when Bebe is white and Albanian like me,” another wrote.  

Rexha’s deep tan even seemed to trick host Taraji P. Henson, who introduced her and Doja Cat as “two Black women”, according to incredulous viewers.

Amid the backlash, some fans came to her defence, arguing that the lighting was to blame.

Numerous artists have come under fire for “blackfishing”. Ariana Grande faced backlash for her video for ‘7 Rings’, which sees the artist sport an extreme tan and a “blaccent”.

Other celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Selena Gomez have also been accused of profiting from Black aesthetics.

indy100 has reached out to Bebe Rexha for comment.

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