Singer and songwriter Billie Eilish was put in the public
spotlight at the ripe age of 15. After releasing her first song “Ocean Eyes” in
2017, people were drawn to her voice. She began to pick up more popularity
after she released songs like “Bellyache” and her album “don’t smile at me” in
2017. However, after the release of these songs she started to break normal
boundaries of being a popstar. She started making more obscure music videos and
touched on topics like body dysmorphia and depression. The song,
“idontwannabeyouanymore” hit home by touching on a lot of body insecurities
with lyrics like “told a tight dress is what makes you a whore” and “tell the
mirror what you know she’s heard before”. She also touches on these issues by
having a unique sense of style for a girl her age. Her most recent album release, “When we all
fall asleep where do we go?” continues to push boundaries and redefine the way
we listen to “pop” music. She makes references to how her generation has
succumbed more and more to drugs and alcohol. Billie is known to be mature for
her age after many interviews and mature content for songs. There are many
aspects of Billie’s life that may indicate she’s growing up too fast. Some
listeners may think the mature aspect is what sets her apart from other
artists. Has society forced her to age past her years?
Being unique is a big part of getting ahead in today’s
culture. For example, would Lady Gaga have been as much of a hit if she didn’t
dress in obscure clothes like a meat dress? Billie Eilish wears extremely baggy
and sometimes described as “androgenous” clothing. Some critics commend her for
stepping outside of the box at such a young age, and some take it as she’s
trying to hide something. Billie claims she wears baggy clothes in order to
avoid sexualization of her body. Billie isn’t even old enough to be considered
an adult yet, so why does she have to worry about being objectified at age 17?
The fact of the matter is, people suck. One picture of Billie with her
sweatshirt unzipped and just a tight white tank top underneath circulated the
twittersphere. Of course, someone had to make a comment about it saying,
“Billie Eilish is THICK”. These kinds of comments are why she dresses the way
she does, and even that isn’t enough. Considering the hypothetical situation
that she dressed the opposite way, people would have something to say about
that too. There are caveats with every pop culture trend and fad. With more
artists shaking things up like Billie, does this mean unprecedented style is only
reserved for famous people? Or is it simply a matter of not caring what people
think. And how can you not? Unfortunately, there is no pleasing every single
person; and Billie has been trying to embody this idea with her style, music,
and personality.
Billie’s personality and forwardness has caused some
controversy as she gains popularity. She swears a lot in most of her interviews
and really doesn’t bat an eye to the fact that people think it's inappropriate.
After receiving some backlash, she has started to tone things down. Billie is
also known for her intelligence and eloquent language when talking about her
music. She has a very mature taste in music, but also listens to music the
typical 17 year-old girl would listen to, such as Justin Bieber. This further
demonstrates the dichotomy of being too old for her age or too young and
immature for swearing in an interview. In her song “Xanny” she talks about how
people she hangs around with her age are all hooked on drinking and drugs. She
expresses in the song how they use drugs as an excuse for bad habits and how
she can’t stand to be around it anymore, “I’m in their second hand smoke, still
just drinking canned coke.” Her music and explanations of how and why she
writes her songs are beyond what most 17 year-olds are capable of. What may be
normal for some musicians has a different meaning when it’s coming from an
artist so young.
Billie Eilish has had heaping amounts of success in spite of
what may constitute as setbacks. People will always have something to complain
about. Billie is making difficult issues like anxiety, depression, and body
insecurities more real and is talking about them openly. She goes beyond the
bounds of her age in order to send a message to anyone who may be feeling the
same way she is.
First of all I had no idea Billie Eilish was only 17! The way media portrays her definitely influenced the way I understood her. I think it is important how you brought up that society and pop culture forced her to grow up quicker. Is that a wider trend in culture today? I personally can think of many ways how my 14 year old stepsister is influenced to grow up differently than I did at her age.
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