Met Gala 2025: Setting the Stage

The 2025 Met Gala, held on Monday night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, once again brought together the brightest stars in entertainment and fashion to celebrate this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” As is tradition with fashion’s biggest night, social media quickly filled with commentary on celebrities’ outfit choices, with opinions ranging from glowing praise to harsh criticism.

Among the attendees was pop star Bebe Rexha, whose appearance on the blue carpet would soon become the focal point of an unexpected and deeply personal controversy. What began as typical post-gala fashion critique quickly evolved into a public feud that would ultimately lead to Rexha revealing private health struggles and a recent pregnancy loss.

Azealia Banks’ Controversial Comments

Azealia Banks, known as much for her sharp social media commentary as for her music career, was particularly active during the Met Gala, offering her unfiltered opinions on various celebrities’ fashion choices. The rapper-turned-social media personality has built a substantial following partially due to her provocative takes and willingness to engage in public feuds.

Azealia Banks walks the runway for Kim Shui during NYFW: The Shows at Gallery at Spring Studios. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Banks directed particularly pointed criticism at Bebe Rexha, moving beyond fashion critique into personal commentary about Rexha’s appearance. On X (formerly Twitter), Banks posted alongside a photo of Rexha on the blue carpet: “Sis gives me — hormonal birth control implant or something. It’s giving implanon/nuvaring. she needs removed or depo shot that needs to stop happening.”

This comment specifically targeted Rexha’s body, implying that her appearance was negatively affected by hormonal birth control methods. The critique stood out even among Banks’ typically provocative commentary for its focus on Rexha’s physical appearance rather than her Met Gala attire.

Bebe Rexha’s Initial Response

By the following morning, Rexha had become aware of Banks’ comments and chose to respond directly. Rather than engaging with the specific criticisms about her appearance, Rexha instead suggested that Banks might benefit from mental health support.

This initial response from Rexha referenced her own experience with Lexapro, a medication commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression. The reply suggested that Banks’ tendency to publicly criticize others might stem from personal struggles, indirectly framing Banks’ commentary as projection rather than valid criticism.

While this exchange might have concluded as yet another brief celebrity social media spat, the conversation would soon take a more serious and personal turn as Rexha chose to reveal significant private health information.

The Pregnancy Loss Revelation

Following her initial response, Bebe Rexha returned to social media with a more extensive and deeply personal message. Moving beyond the direct exchange with Banks, Rexha addressed broader issues of body commentary and revealed previously private health challenges and personal tragedy.

This powerful statement revealed multiple aspects of Rexha’s private health journey: her diagnosis with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), resulting fertility challenges, a pregnancy, and subsequent loss. The revelation transformed what had begun as a superficial critique into a conversation about the hidden personal struggles that celebrities—and many others—face privately while enduring public scrutiny.

Bebe Rexha at the 2025 Met Gala. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Rexha’s disclosure resonated with many followers who have experienced similar health challenges or pregnancy loss. By sharing her story, she not only defended herself against Banks’ critique but also brought attention to health conditions that affect millions of women but are often discussed only in private.

PCOS and Infertility Challenges

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which Rexha revealed as part of her health journey, is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. The condition affects approximately 1 in 10 women worldwide and is characterized by hormonal imbalances that can lead to a variety of symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen (male hormone) levels, and polycystic ovaries.

One of the most significant challenges associated with PCOS is infertility or subfertility. The hormonal imbalances can disrupt regular ovulation, making conception more difficult. For women like Rexha who are diagnosed with PCOS and wish to have children, this aspect of the condition can be particularly distressing.

Beyond the direct reproductive impacts, PCOS can also affect body weight and composition. Many women with PCOS experience weight gain or difficulty losing weight due to insulin resistance associated with the condition. This physiological reality makes public commentary on body shape or size particularly harmful for those managing PCOS.

Banks’ Continued Commentary

Despite Rexha’s deeply personal revelation about pregnancy loss and health struggles, Azealia Banks chose to continue the public exchange. Rather than acknowledging the sensitive nature of Rexha’s disclosure or offering an apology, Banks pivoted to offering unsolicited medical advice regarding Rexha’s mention of using Lexapro.

Azealia Banks performs during her concert at the Bataclan venue in Paris. (Photo by XAVIER GALIANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Banks further suggested that Rexha should discontinue using Lexapro, stating: “You should really get off Lexapro lmao, weight gain is a TRADEMARK side effect of Lexapro.” She continued by offering to provide “support sister if u need it’s honestly nothing to be ashamed of because trust me… The problems that come from ssri’s are a lot LOT worse than anything you feel you are going thru now.”

This response notably sidestepped Rexha’s disclosure about pregnancy loss and PCOS, focusing instead on the antidepressant medication Rexha had mentioned in her initial reply. Banks’ choice to prioritize criticism of Rexha’s medication over acknowledging her personal loss was viewed by many as particularly insensitive.

The Medication Debate

The exchange between Rexha and Banks inadvertently opened a public discussion about mental health medications, particularly SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Lexapro. While Banks’ comments about Lexapro causing weight gain referenced a known potential side effect of the medication, mental health professionals generally caution against providing unsolicited medical advice or suggesting someone discontinue prescribed medications.

While Banks claimed to be offering support through her personal experience with SSRIs, the public nature of the advice—coupled with its unsolicited delivery and dismissive tone—highlighted the complex issues surrounding public discussions of mental health treatment. Medical decisions, particularly regarding psychiatric medication, are deeply personal and generally require professional guidance.

The exchange demonstrated how conversations about health can quickly become complicated in social media contexts where medical information, personal opinion, and celebrity influence intersect, potentially influencing followers’ perceptions of mental health treatment options.

Public Reaction and Support

Following Rexha’s revelation about her pregnancy loss and PCOS diagnosis, public reaction largely shifted in her favor. Many social media users expressed support for Rexha’s decision to share her personal struggles while criticizing Banks for her continued provocative commentary despite the sensitive nature of the situation.

The incident resonated particularly strongly with followers who have experienced pregnancy loss, infertility challenges, or PCOS. Many praised Rexha for bringing visibility to these issues that affect millions of women but are often suffered in silence due to social stigma and lack of public understanding.

Mental health advocates also entered the conversation, highlighting the importance of destigmatizing both mental health conditions and their treatments, including medication. Several noted that public figures sharing their experiences with mental health support, as Rexha initially did by mentioning Lexapro, can help normalize seeking treatment for others.

While Banks maintained her characteristic unapologetic stance, continuing to offer commentary on various Met Gala attendees, the broader narrative shifted toward discussions of body shaming, health privacy, and the unique pressures faced by women in the public eye regarding their appearance and reproductive choices.

Wider Implications of Celebrity Health Discussions

The exchange between Rexha and Banks illustrates the evolving landscape of celebrity health disclosures and the power dynamics of social media. In choosing to reveal her PCOS diagnosis and pregnancy loss, Rexha joined a growing movement of public figures who are increasingly transparent about personal health challenges, helping to destigmatize conditions that have historically been surrounded by shame or silence.

However, the incident also highlights the potential pitfalls of public health discussions, particularly when they involve unsolicited advice or armchair diagnosis. Banks’ comments about Rexha’s appearance and medication choices demonstrate how even well-intentioned health commentary can be harmful when delivered without context, sensitivity, or medical expertise.

As celebrities continue to use their platforms to discuss personal health experiences, the Rexha-Banks exchange serves as both a cautionary tale about the potential harm of body commentary and a powerful example of how personal disclosure can transform a negative interaction into an opportunity for greater awareness and understanding.

Ultimately, Rexha’s brave decision to share her experience of pregnancy loss amid public scrutiny of her appearance has contributed to important ongoing conversations about women’s health, body image, and the hidden struggles that many face behind public personas.