Billie Eilish has now done six consecutive Vanity Fair interviews with her past self. The series captured Billie from the ages 15 to now 20 answering questions about her career and life. This year, she discussed her new (and controversial) relationship with The Neighborhood frontman, Jesse Rutherford.
“I managed to get my way to a point in my life…where I not only was known by a person that I thought was the hottest [f-ing f-er] alive but pulled his ass,” she says after revealing she was in a relationship. “Are you kidding me? Can we just- round of applause for me?”
billie asking applauses for pulling jesse ???? oh she's down bad
— mar ???? (@chrrypm) November 28, 2022
Months ago photos surfaced of Eilish and Rutherford out together which drew a lot of criticism considering their 11-year age gap. Rutherford met Eilish when she was 15 and new to the industry. Eilish has cited The Neighborhood as one of her major music and live show inspirations.
“Jesse Rutherford, everyone. I pulled his ass. All me. I did that shit. I locked that [motherf-er] down,” Eilish repeats in the Vanity Fair interview. “…I’m just really inspired by this person and he’s inspired by me.”
For Halloween this year, the pair seemingly commented on the critics of their relationship and dressed as a baby and an old man. These photos drew a lot of backlash with people feeling like Eilish was “groomed”.
Billie Eilish and boyfriend Jesse Rutherford dressed up together as a baby and an old man for Halloween. pic.twitter.com/6zLT9Z48Ho
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 31, 2022
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The Vanity Fair interview clip had a range of reactions on social media. Many felt the age difference is inappropriate and Eilish is acting in accordance with being “groomed”.
I’m sorry, but as much as I enjoy billie eilish, the part of her vanity fair interview where she said she “pulled” Jesse Rutherford really does not sit right with me. They’ve known each other since she was 15. His band was her first concert. She didn’t “pull” him; she was groomed
— hannah fitzpatrick (@HannahFitzpatr7) November 28, 2022
i can’t wait for billie eilish to do the vanity fair interview in 5 years and be completely embarrassed on how she proclaimed she “pulled jesse rutherford it was all mee”
— bet (@beemovieeee) November 29, 2022
Some fans of Eilish defended the singer and see no problem with her being in a happy relationship.
billie got the confidence to make her relationship with jesse public while knowing how people are nowadays and thats a huge step. now here are her own “fans” bringing her and the relationship down cause they’re miserable. she’s glowing of happiness and its disgusting yall ruin it
— mae misses alexander (@Chamae0) November 28, 2022
after seeing that vanity fair interview and seeing how happy billie got talking about her boyfriend jesse rutherford.. he better not hurt her. despite not agreeing with the age difference, she really deserves to be happy and she is a grown woman who can make decisions for herself
— ♡ (@laacolee) November 28, 2022
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When asked what constructive criticism Eilish would give her fans she replied, “Maybe trust me? I’m in control. I’m in charge. I know what I’m doing. I’m OK. You can trust me. I’m not going anywhere.”
