The singer-songwriter discusses the public perception surrounding her, revealing her views on age and gender in a recent interview.
It’s clear that Billie Eilish is challenging conventional stereotypes. The 24-year-old’s distinctive style—marked by oversized clothing and a bold attitude—has garnered significant media attention, with debates about her status as an “It Girl” and “Pop Star.”
Since her debut single in 2016, Eilish has gained a massive following through her unique sound, exemplified in her “Don’t Smile at Me” EP, which blends soothing vocals with R&B-pop elements.
The EP has accumulated over a billio𝚗 streams, and her “1 By 1” tour sold out in less than a minute in 2018. Despite her rapid rise, industry experts believe she’s just getting started. Apple Music Beats 1’s Zane Lowe remarked that 2019 was Eilish’s year to claim. With her much-anticipated debut studio album on the way, the young artist is poised to leave a lasting mark on the music scene.
In a candid interview with NME, the Los Angeles native opened up about the discussions surrounding her age, gender, and the double standards womеn face in the music industry. Eilish addressed the criticism she often receives due to her gender, which seems to give people the right to comment on her choices and appearance.
“If I were a guy wearing these baggy clothes, nobody would think twice. But I get people saying, ‘Dress like a girl for once! Wear tight clothes—you’d look prettier, and your career would improve!’ No, it wouldn’t. It simply wouldn’t,” she stated.
Eilish avoids 𝚗egɑtive comments on social media, which she finds tоxic, despite having over 11 million followers on Instagram and nearly a million on Twitter. “Forget that stuff. I don’t want to see all the hateful things people sɑy,” she remarked. Yet, this hasn’t stopped her from using her platform to inspire young people and drive change.
“People underestimate the power of a young mind that’s seeing everything for the first time,” she noted. “We’re being ignored, and it’s absurd. We know everything.”
Last fall, Eilish collaborated with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to encourage voter registration during the midterm elections. “Bro, teenagers know more about the country we’re living in right now than anybody else,” she asserted.
Eilish also clarified misconceptions about her upbringing, rejecting assumptions that she grew up wealthy. Raised in Highland Park, a historically underserved area in Northeast Los Angeles, she experienced firsthand the impacts of gentrification.
“Highland Park is trendy now, but when I was growing up, it was completely different,” she said. “There were gunshots and sketchy stuff—it wasn’t safe. People have the wrong idea about my childhood.”
While fans eagerly await her album’s release, Eilish has been busy booking festival appearances. She recently announced her Coachella performance in April and her participation in Stockholm’s Lollapalooza in June. Additionally, she’ll be touring Europe in February, adding to her already impressive schedule.