Pop star Bebe Rexha was performing a concert in New York City on Sunday, June 18, when she was struck by a cell phone thrown by one of her fans in the audience. The 33-year-old was immediately rushed offstage and to the hospital to receive medical attention for the injuries she sustained.
The perpetrator was soon identified as 27-year-old Nicolas Malvagna, who was immediately taken into custody and charged with assault. When asked why he threw his phone onstage, the New York Post reports that Malvagna responded, “I was trying to see if I could hit her with the phone at the end of the show because it would be funny.”
Rexha was wrapping up her show when the phone hit her face. According to the New York Post, she received stitches to close an open cut above her left eye. The incident left her bruised and with a black eye.
On Monday, June 19, Rexha addressed the incident for the first time by posting on social media. She shared a photo on Instagram of her bandaged left eye while holding a thumbs up. The singer captioned the photo “Im good,” a reference to her hit song “I’m Good (Blue).” She was in good spirits about her injury on TikTok as well, posting a video of herself singing “I’m good, yeah I’m feeling alright” from the same song.
Rexha’s lighthearted attitude after the assault was refreshing for fans to see, but there were still many concerns after the singer collapsed on stage from being struck. Fans took to social media to express concern and sympathy for Rexha, while also expressing anger at the perpetrator. One fan tweeted, “Absolutely great show ruined by a fan throwing their phone at @BebeRexha hopefully she is okay after that,” along with a video of the assault. Rexha received hundreds of other tweets and comments from fans and well-wishers after the incident.
Malvagna was arraigned on June 19 and remains in police custody. According to the New York Post, he is facing charges of assault, aggravated harassment, attempted assault, and harassment. Rexha is still on tour and is expected to continue with her shows as scheduled.