Empathetic: Billie Eilish

Spotlight focuses on the best of the best celebrities, and among that list is talented singer and songwriter Billie Eilish. She has co-written many popular songs with her brother and recently released a documentary, Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry. This year we have heard a lot from Billie Eilish, but many of us do not know how much hard work she puts into her career.

Before singing, Eilish was very involved in dancing, and it was her dream, but a serious hip injury prevented her from pursuing it. Billie has been very open about the injury and the emotional impact it had in her life, saying that she “didn’t think {she} would ever be happy again.” The artist has also talked about her struggles with Tourette's Syndrome. Eilish initially hid this from the public because she did not “want that to define who {she} was.” Now, she is very open about it and gives people a person to look up to.

But who does she look up to? In the last couple of years, Billie has won seven Grammys and was nominated for ten. With all of this success, many people wonder about the artists that inspire the great Billie Eilish. Time after time, she credits artists Tyler the Creator, Avril Lavigne, and many others for her musical influence. However, her family has also played a great role in her success.

Her family is a huge aspect of her life, especially her brother, Finneas. He has co-written almost all of her songs and helps her produce her hits. Both of them have talked about the large impact their home life made in their careers. Their parents homeschooled them and encouraged them to follow their creative passions. Music surrounded her childhood and produced not one but two phenomenal singers.

Billie has gotten candid about the downsides she has experienced with fame. When she first started rising to fame, her life was relatively normal. Now she says there are times when she cannot even go to the grocery store without being noticed.

This gives us more insight into what celebrities have to face every day. Their lives are not always sunshine and rainbows. They are judged and expected to be perfect. This is why Billie often wears baggy clothing to hide things about her that people might judge. A few months ago, Billie spoke out against body shaming and told people that what they think of her is “not [her] responsibility” Her inspiring words have given us proof that she is a perfect role model for this generation.

Many of us believe that celebrities got to where they are with only their talent, but Billie’s story tells us that this is not the case. Everyone struggles with something. Throughout her life, Billie has faced many hurdles, but she jumped over them. In many ways, Eilish is the perfect role model for young girls everywhere. She advocates for what she believes in and spreads the message of self-love. Billie teaches us to shoot for the moon because eventually, we can land in the stars.

You can watch her documentary on Apple TV+, and she is also releasing an autobiography on May 11th.

“See & Hear the Life of Billie Eilish in Her Upcoming Photo Book.” Billboard, 2020, www.billboard.com/articles/news/9510123/billie-eilish-photo-book-announcement/. Accessed 22 Mar. 2021.

‌Média, Bell. “Billie Eilish on Self-Harming: ‘I Felt like I Deserved to Be in Pain.’” Iheartradio.ca, 31 July 2019, www.iheartradio.ca/news/billie-eilish-on-self-harming-i-felt-like-i-deserved-to-be-in-pain-1.9594925. Accessed 22 Mar. 2021.

‌“Billie Eilish.” GRAMMY.com, 16 Dec. 2020, www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/billie-eilish/251741. Accessed 22 Mar. 2021.

‌“Billie Eilish’s Influences, Inspiration & Obsessions | ELLE Australia.” ELLE, 25 Oct. 2017, www.elle.com.au/culture/billie-eilish-interview-playlist-influences-inspiration-14756. Accessed 22 Mar. 2021.

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