Grammy winning alternative pop star Billie Eilish spoke to Variety for their “Power of Women” series. The conversation comes months after her groundbreaking music career gave way to her recent single “What Was I Made For?” for Greta Gerwig‘s critically acclaimed “Barbie.” The film and song continue to start important conversations on gender equity and intersectional womanhood.
Eilish opened the interview by saying that “being a woman is just such a war, forever.” The singer went on to open up more about her personal friendships with women and her sexuality more than she had previously, given her abrupt rise to fame at 13 years old for her single “Ocean Eyes.” She reflected upon being thrust into the public eye so aggressively and coming to terms with young adulthood in the spotlight.
The singer expressed that she often feels intimidated by women, and that she additionally feels physical attraction towards women. “I’ve never really felt like I could relate to girls very well,” said Eilish.
“I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real…. I have deep connections with women in my life, the friends in my life, the family in my life. I’m physically attracted to them. But I’m also so intimidated by them and their beauty and their presence.”
Eilish went on to explain how her popular song’s role in “Barbie” has changed her relationship with womanhood. “What Was I Made For?” was spliced together with a scene from the film in which a montage of memories of all of the real women on the film’s crew play, and on TikTok, a heartwarming trend of women playing their own montages of their families and friends boosted a number of viral videos.
@capcutwhiz show your #girlhood using this #CapCut 🎀✨ #billieeilish #barbie #barbiethemovie #whatwasimadefor
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Social Media Reactions
Fans of the singer felt happy to see Eilish expressing herself so sincerely in public. She has previously described being stalked and harassed online, which in part led to difficult mental health troubles.
proud of her for being real
— Dylan (@dtmukuna) November 13, 2023
Others were excited at the singer hinting at her potential bisexuality, finding that it would make some of her songs that much more relatable to them.
oh bi-llie elish
— ✩⋆ (@pinkundertone) November 13, 2023
BIllie bi era are we here for it ladies
— K | hump then fall era (@keybrackson) November 13, 2023
While Eilish has never publicly confirmed her sexuality, the singer most recently ended a relationship with the Neighbourhood frontman Jesse Rutherford. The relationship previously courted controversy due to Eilish and Rutherford’s vast age gap. The singer was recently seen leaving a Halloween party alongside Rutherford’s longtime ex girlfriend model Devon Lee Carlson, and the internet is loving the pair’s newfound friendship.
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Billie Eilish and Devon Lee Carlson leaves Kendall Jenner’s Halloween Party in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/j31zwwC6vb
— @21metgala (@21metgala) October 29, 2023
Eilish is yet to speak further on her recent comments.
