Bebe Rexha Fallon performance pairs ‘New Religion’ with ‘Sad Girls’
Bebe Rexha performed a dance-heavy medley on Fallon, spotlighting two Dirty Blonde singles from her independent era.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Bebe Rexha brought two recent singles to late night, making The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon her latest stop for the Bebe Rexha Fallon performance fans were waiting on. On Monday, July 27, the pop singer performed a medley of “New Religion” and “Sad Girls,” both from her newest album, Dirty Blonde.
The NBC performance opened with a portion of “New Religion” before shifting its focus to “Sad Girls,” according to Rolling Stone. Rexha was joined onstage by dancers for a sleek, club-facing number built around the two tracks.
What did Bebe Rexha perform on Fallon?
Rexha performed “New Religion” and “Sad Girls” as a medley on The Tonight Show. Rolling Stone reported that the segment used “New Religion” as the lead-in before moving into a fuller performance of “Sad Girls.”
“Sad Girls” was released in May and features David Guetta. “New Religion,” released in March, carried extra weight for Rexha: Rolling Stone reported that it was her first single issued through her own label.
Both songs appear on Dirty Blonde, Rexha’s latest album and her first project released as an independent artist. The record follows a major career shift for the singer, who had built much of her profile through pop and EDM hits and collaborations during the mid-2010s.
What is Dirty Blonde?
Dirty Blonde is Rexha’s most recent album, and Rolling Stone described it as her debut release as an independent artist. The album includes “New Religion” and “Sad Girls,” the two tracks she brought to Fallon.
Rexha has framed the album as a personal turning point. In a statement cited by Rolling Stone, she said, “Dirty Blonde became so much more monumental to me than I ever expected.”
She added that making the LP outside the traditional major-label setup changed the experience for her: “Making this album independently reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place. I had the freedom to trust my instincts, take risks and create something that feels completely mine. Dirty Blonde is me in my truest form: honest, unapologetic and free.”
Why is this independent chapter a big deal for Rexha?
In January, Rexha said on Instagram that Warner Music, her longtime label, had decided to part ways with her. Rolling Stone reported that her announcement included a tearful video recorded earlier in the year, where she reacted to the news and said she was unsure what would come next.
After leaving Warner, Rexha signed with Empire, an independent distribution company that also offers some label and publishing services, according to Rolling Stone. That move set the stage for Dirty Blonde and for “New Religion” to arrive as her first single on her own label.
Rexha has described “Sad Girls” as a song for people trying to keep moving through heartbreak. “Sad Girls is for anyone who has ever been on a dance floor with a broken heart and refused to let it win,” she said in a statement cited by Rolling Stone. “You’re not okay, but you’re still dancing and showing up for yourself. That’s one of the most powerful things you can do in those moments.”
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.