Billie Eilish has a reputation for speaking her mind, whether it’s against body shaming or her ideas on stardom.
Recently, the Grammy-winning artist unexpectedly became the main focus of a discussion she did not plan to initiate.
Recognized for her popular tracks such as “Bad Guy” and “Ocean Eyes,” Eilish has recently shared her feelings regarding her attraction to women.
Her comments, however, sparked a reaction from the public that left her bewildered.
In a recent conversation for “Variety”’s Power of Women issue, Eilish expressed her thoughts on the importance of connecting with other women.
She admitted, “I’ve never really felt like I could relate to girls very well.”
She added, “I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real.”
These words instantly went viral, with fans and media outlets speculating about her s3xual orientation. Eilish was taken aback by the public’s response.
While some complimented her transparency, others were taken aback by the disclosure. Eilish appeared surprised by the impact her words had on others.
Her discussion with “Variety” was not intended to be a significant declaration. She conveyed her confusion, stating that she was unaware that others were not aware of her attraction to women.
This wasn’t the first time the young artist thought about her relationship with women. During the interview, she also addressed challenges related to self-image and femininity.
“I’ve never felt like a woman, to be honest with you,” she confessed. “I’ve never felt desirable.”
She shared the story of how her hit song, “What Was I Made For?” emerged as a powerful emblem of introspection for women. The track’s influence on platforms such as TikTok opened her eyes to the personal narratives of womanhood that struck a chord with countless individuals.
For Eilish, the music video for the song symbolized taking back control of her image. In the video, she reveals miniature versions of her most iconic outfits, showcasing her journey.
“I didn’t want people to have access to my body, even visually,” she stated. “I wasn’t strong enough and secure enough to show it.”
The discussion surrounding her s3xuality gained fame during the Hitmakers event hosted by “Variety” in December.
Eilish and her brother Finneas were present at the event to receive an accolade for Film Song of the Year.
A reporter on the red carpet inquired whether she planned to address her earlier “Variety” interview.
Eilish appeared taken aback and replied, “No, I didn’t…” but I kind of thought, wasn’t it obvious?”
She stated, “I just don’t really believe in [coming out]…” I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I just didn’t talk about it. Whoops.” The rumors spread by her remarks persisted throughout the media.
While Eilish initially dismissed the inquiry, her irritation became increasingly clear as time went on. After the event, she turned to Instagram to share her dissatisfaction.
She shared photos from the event accompanied by a sharp caption. “I appreciate “Variety” for my award and for the unexpected exposure on the red carpet at 11 am,” she wrote.
The post gained significant backing from her followers. Numerous individuals praised her for her openness and encouraged others to honor her personal space.
Nonetheless, a number of fans expressed their confusion, questioning whether Eilish had previously clarified her s3xuality.
Her Instagram post sparked a lively discussion, prompting fans to weigh in on whether she had been revealed or not.
Looking back on the situation months later, Eilish admitted she might have reacted too strongly. In a “Rolling Stone” interview, she revealed that she felt “exploited” by the media’s emphasis on her s3xuality.
“I’ve known people that don’t know their s3xuality until they’re in their forties, fifties, sixties,” she shared. “It takes a while to find yourself, and I think it’s really unfair.”
She expressed that online platforms pressure individuals to establish their identities early. She was frustrated by the pressure from the media and online forums.
Nonetheless, Eilish acknowledged that the spotlight brought clarity to her in an unforeseen manner. “I went into Billie Eilish interview mode, [like], ‘Oh, I don’t care. Yeah, I’ll say whatever.’”
It wasn’t until later that she understood the importance of what she had said. “And then afterward, I was like, ‘Wait. It wasn’t obvious to me.’”
Amid her uncertainty, Eilish recognized that the spotlight allowed her to engage in deeper reflection. Although she hadn’t intended to discuss her s3xuality, the situation provided a moment of insight.
As the situation unfolded, Eilish found herself feeling both frustrated and somewhat resigned. She confessed to having a fondness for the journalist who posed the question on the red carpet, yet she experienced some inner turmoil about it.
In the end, Eilish remains indifferent to classifications or making statements for the public. She embraces her identity, unaffected by the labels the world may impose.
Addressing the ongoing speculation, she said, “I saw all the articles and was like, ‘Oh, I guess I came out today… OK, cool.’” She added, “But it’s exciting to me because I guess people didn’t know.”
Eilish stated, “I am for the girls.” For her, the dialogue regarding her s3xuality isn’t the central narrative.
The artist has shifted her focus away from the whirlwind of attention, indicating her intention to move forward and put it in the past. In classic Billie style, she captured the sentiment flawlessly: “Literally, who cares?”
Feature Image Credit: (Instagram/@billieeilish)
