More Than A Bad Guy: Billie Eilish’s Impact

“I feel like I write so that people can think of it as theirs. If my song is exactly about your life right now, then it is. I don’t even want to say that it’s mine, because it’s yours.” — Billie Eilish

In Spring of 2019, Billie Eilish made music industry history. Eilish released “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” winning the top billboard album and five other Grammy Awards. According to “ Billboard Media on Billie Eilish,” the song of the year, “Bad Guy,” had a 19-week streak on Billboard's Hot 100 as the number 1 while being played throughout the hallways on Tunes Tuesday at North. Eilish’s music grew to a total of 15 billion streams worldwide.

Since the age of thirteen, Eilish has been producing and releasing music on Soundcloud with the help of her brother Finneas O'Connell. Eilish’s great personality and presence allowed her to make friends in the industry, such as Khalid, Ariana Grande, and even Justin Bieber, a lifelong idol of hers. The singer’s battle with mental health and depression has allowed her to produce authentic music for teens going through the same things. She is one of the most impactful singer-songwriters of the 21st century and is growing in popularity every minute.

In “Billie Eilish’s Life Story" from YouTube channel "TheTalko,'' Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell grew up, and still resides, in Highland Park, Los Angeles with her family. The O'Connell’s are extremely close, and incorporated music into the children’s upbringing, sparking both Finneas’ and Billie’s passion.They often credit being homeschooled as the main reason why they are successful. As a child Billie often compared herself to other girls in homeschool or dance classes, which ultimately affected her confidence and mental health today. Although she provides support for all different people and beauty standards, she still struggles to accept herself. When the fame grew the comments and criticisms attacked her body and style. Hundreds of followers on social media spread hate throughout the comments. How does a teenage superstar love all of her fans but herself ? With the help of her family, friends, and therapy, Billie has made the little improvements within herself. To this day, Billie struggles with body dysmorphia no matter the compliments or press. She is real about mental health and avoids the dramatics. Each and every day she supports everyone, even her haters, because they make her stronger.

Billie is often seen as “sullen” and “depressing,” according to “Nobody That Knows Me Thinks I'm a Dark Person" from "CBS.” Many labels and radio stations chose to avoid playing her music. But that honesty is why many teenagers looked up to her, relating to her commentary on mental health issues. At the start of fame, Eilish battled with anxiety and clinical depression, making it more difficult to become more accustomed to fame. The singer references her inability to go out with friends and leaving her home, and how she relied on her shows and the fans that went to them as one of her biggest sources of motivation. Eilish looked for her outlet in therapy, family, and songwriting, and helped others in their struggles through her relatability and music. In an interview with Ad Council, Billie emphasized that “it doesn’t make you weak to ask for help, from a friend, or go to a therapist...everyone has to help someone if they need it.” Further into the interview she continues, “you should keep your ears open and you should listen.”

Billie has also been open about her struggle getting accustomed to fame, causing her to second guess leaving the house, posting a picture, or wearing an outfit. Many people in the music industry, from managers to fans, have critiqued her style of baggy clothing. At first, many criticized her unique style for being odd or unusual; however, she has made it clear that her purpose was to protect her body from being judged on social media. Fashion has been her security blanket, while also giving her a chance to express herself without words. In 2019, a photo of the singer (just 17 at the time) was posted of her in a tank top while she was out in public, leading many people to comment on her chest and body. Fans combated the harsh reality of social media by commenting, according to “Billie Eilish Tank Top Photo Goes Viral & Fans React To Body Shaming Haters,” which stated “she’s a minor” and, “poor girl gets hot and unzips her sweatshirt for a beat and is immediately swarmed with the attention she’s been trying to hide.” Eilish fought back in 2020, releasing a video where she narrates that “Though you’ve never seen my body, you still judge it and judge me for it. Why? We make assumptions about people based on their size. We decide who they are, we decide what they’re worth. If I wear more, if I wear less, who decides what that makes me? What does that mean? Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?”

Billie Eilish projects a new look at females in the industry rather than letting herself be sexualized and shamed, and is therefore admired by many young girls like myself. From 257 thousand to 75 million followers, the artist has not changed who she is or what she stands for as an individual. She stays true to what she believes and recognizes this 21st century world and music industry is a difficult path. By dealing with her own mental health and sharing a part of her life with the entire world, she has allowed billions to feel accepted and appreciated for being different in the society we live in today.

Sources

Media , Billboard. “Chart History Billie Eilish.” Billboard, Billboard Media, LLC//Hollywood Reporters, 2021, www.billboard.com/music/billie-eilish/chart-history.

Talko, The, director. TheTalko Billie Eilish's Life Story . Youtube.com/ Billie Eilish's Life Story, TheTalko, 26 July 2019, www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D8cF-eLbWQhc%26t%3D344s&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1612392090159000&usg=AOvVaw3pU2fVlwwUel8sw6VQmzD8.

Golds, Alan. “Billie Eilish: ‘Nobody That Knows Me Thinks I'm a Dark Person.’” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 8 Dec. 2019, www.cbsnews.com/news/billie-eilish-nobody-that-knows-me-thinks-im-a-dark-person/.

HollywoodLife, BruanLA, director. Billie Eilish Tank Top Photo Goes Viral & Fans React To Body Shaming Haters. Youtube.com/Billie Eilish Tank Top Photo Goes Viral & Fans React To Body Shaming Haters, HollywoodLife, 24 June 2019, Billie Eilish Tank Top Photo Goes Viral & Fans React To Body Shaming Haters.

HollywoodLife, BruanLA, director. Billie Eilish Opens Up About Depression & Reveals Biggest Fear. Youtube.com/Billie Eilish Opens Up About Depression & Reveals Biggest Fear, HollywoodLife/Youtube, 31 July 2019, www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DCh3XCp11vBI&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1612392090161000&usg=AOvVaw0uFdsO9EhXrW4D7isfM-DN.

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Council, Ad, director. Billie Eilish On Mental Health & Friendship | Ad Council, Ad Council, 22 May 2019, www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D_XFd0RLKQWA&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1612392090162000&usg=AOvVaw0ofN6z8tcmZEPuVIkRiMBE.

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