Singer Bebe Rexha says she was threatened and “psychologically abused” by an airport worker because she is Albanian.
The 34-year-old posted a tearful video on Instagram, writing: “I was threatened because I thought the security officer was Albanian.”
“I spoke to him in Albanian and asked him where I could get my ticket, and now he is preventing me from boarding the plane.”
It is not yet known whether the US-born star, whose family is of Albanian descent, was allowed to board the flight from Munich airport.
In a post to her 12 million followers on Saturday, she said she believed the incident was a “hate crime” because of her race.
Rexha alleged that the male employee refused to give his name and “continued to mentally assault me” and that the female employees did not intervene.
The star, who has worked with the likes of Rita Ora and Louis Tomlinson and had her song I’m Good (Blue) reach number one in the UK with David Guetta, said she believed the man worked for a company that provides services to Lufthansa.
The German airline said it was trying to “understand the situation” and did not “tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind”.
“We have reached out to Bebe Rexha and are in direct contact with her to understand the situation,” the company spokesperson said.
“As an international airline, we connect people and countries all over the world. Our guests and employees come from all over the world,” the company spokesperson added.
“Diversity and equal opportunity are core values of our company and our corporate culture.
“We do not tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind.”
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Rexha later confirmed that she had received a call from Lufthansa urging them to conduct a full investigation.
In addition to her own successes – which include four UK top 10 singles – the singer has written songs for stars including Selena Gomez and Eminem.
Future teen idol. Typical social media ninja. Alcohol buff. Explorer. Creator. Beer advocate.”