The Real Reason Billie Eilish Is Calling Out Body Shamers
Billie Eilish has always been known to march to the beat of her own drum. Whether it's sporting green hair or wearing multiple patterns at once, Eilish doesn't seem to care what people think about her. "Maybe people see me as a rule-breaker because they themselves feel like they have to follow the rules, and here I am not doing it," she told Vogue in February 2020. "That's great, if I can make someone feel more free to do what they actually want to do instead of what they are expected to do."
Even though Eilish — who, as of this writing, is a five-time Grammy winner — may be known for her quirky fashion sense and unique (and sometimes controversial) songs, she's merely doing what she loves without anyone's permission. "But for me, I never realized that I was expected to do anything," she dished to Vogue. "I guess that's what is actually going on — that I never knew there was a thing I had to follow. Nobody told me that s***, so I did what I wanted."
However, Eilish — who frequently wears baggy clothing — is no stranger to being criticized for her body on the internet. In May 2020, the "Bad Guy" singer released a video from her "Where Do We Go?" World Tour, where she slammed people for body shaming and being judgmental. Keep reading to find out about her powerful message.
Billie Eilish is tired of people judging her body
It seems that Billie Eilish has had enough with the hurtful comments about her body. Eilish released a video from her tour — which was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic — in May 2020 and got candid about what it's like to deal with trolls on the internet. "Some people hate what I wear, some people praise it," she began. "Some people use it to shame others, some people use it to shame me. But I feel you watching, always. Nothing I do goes unseen..."
In the video, Eilish is seen unzipping her signature black hoodie until she only shows a black tank top. "If I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman," she stated. "If I shed the layers, I am a slut. Though you have never seen my body, you still touch it and judge me for it. Why?" She continued,"We make assumptions about people based on their size. We decide who they are, we decide what they're worth."
Later on, just as Eilish is about to show her naked body, she covers herself in black liquid from head to toe. "If I wear more, if I wear less, who decides what that makes me?" she asked. "What that means? Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?"
Billie Eilish was previously criticized for vacation photos
Even though Billie Eilish rarely wears revealing clothing, the singer was slut-shamed after she posted photos from a Hawaiian vacation in January 2020. "It was trending. There were comments like, 'I don't like her anymore because as soon as she turns 18, she's a wh**e.' Like dude, I can't win. I can-not win," she told Dazed Magazine in April 2020.
Due to the hurtful remarks, the Grammy winner also noted that she was not comfortable enough with her body to even look at it. "There was a point last year where I was naked, and I didn't recognize my body 'cos I hadn't seen it in a while," she revealed. "I would see it sometimes and be like, 'Whose body is that?'"
Luckily, it seems like Eilish has other celebrities on her side following the unnecessary comments. "Another example of how women can't win," model Emily Ratajkowski wrote on Twitter in response to a Daily Mail article about the criticism being hurled at the singer. "However they present themselves — covered up or sexualized — will always be criticized. Until patriarchal power structures are dismantled women will never be truly empowered. In the meantime DRESS HOWEVER U WANT."
Billie Eilish is 'more okay' with her body now
Billie Eilish is getting used to being in the spotlight and she's coming to terms with her physique. "It's not that I like [my body] now, I just think I'm a bit more OK with it," she told Dazed Magazine.
At the end of the day, though, Eilish is not changing her style for anyone. "If I wore a dress to something, I would be hated for it," she explained. "People would be like, 'You've changed, how dare you do what you've always rebelled against?' I'm like, 'I'm not rebelling against anything, really.' I can't stress it enough."Eilish is "just wearing what [she wants to] wear," and if she wants to flaunt her midriff, she "should be allowed to do that."
Well, it sure seems like Eilish is sending a straightforward message to all the haters out there — let's just hope it works this time around.