I don't remember the first time I heard Billie Eilish. But her image and voice gradually caught my attention.
When I finally watched her perform live on tv, I thought I was watching something new for the first time in a long while. Then I read about her refusal to fall into the pop music industry machine and instead choosing to be an icon to body positivity. Defying gender stereotypes that mold each new female singer to a Lolita sex symbol type, she preferred to show up wearing her green hair trademark, baggy shirts, and trousers covering up her curvy body. I thought to myself: this generation found a voice and at last times are changing.
Indeed, it was refreshing to watch a talented new singer that refused to look like another Lolita. Since Britney, it seems that every new girl in the scene eventually followed that playbook. But then there was the first time I noticed something sort of confusing about her. I never could get the baggy clothing matched with designer brands' logo patterns. I tried to decode its message, and it really didn't add up to me. Was there some sort of irony in wearing baggy clothing with Gucci logos all over it? It might be, but I couldn't get it. Let me be clear, I get the baggy tracksuits and hoodies. What I didn't get was matching it with the overly labeled designer clothes.
After that, I think I didn't pay much attention to her until her “The World's a Little Blurry” Apple TV+ documentary came out. It gave audiences a more intimate look into her creative process with her brother Phinneas and also on the relationship with her very supportive parents. It was surprising to know that she's been diagnosed with Tourettes at an early age, and the documentary showed how she deals with her condition in a demystifying and candid way. It also revealed her fears about how their fan base reacts to her social media, sharing a sneak peek at how she literally throws herself to the adoring crowds of fans. To me, that type of adoration was a red alert.
Finally, it documented her teen crush for Justin Bieber and the moment Eilish in complete ecstasy meets her teen idol. That part got me very confused again. Eilish moody lyrics, silky vocals, and eclectic music combining pop, jazz, EDM, and more, to me, sounds so far away from Bieber's pop style. It gave me sort of a short circuit. Who could ever thought that Eilish was a Bieb’s fan?
It is true that I don't like Bieber. In fact, any of Bieber's versions: baby teen promising swooping hair Bieber; bad boy Bieber; and finally, repentant Bieber. But Eilish and Bieber styles are not only different; they seem to come from entirely opposite directions. This made it even more surprising to find out that she still wholly adores him even today, creating an interesting parallel to her adoring teenage fans.
And now, another shocking revelation: Billie Eilish British Vogue cover showed her with her new blond locks wearing a tight pink Gucci corset. Yes, the same girl who used baggy clothes to push back on pop stars stereotypes and celebrated body positivity now poses like a pinup and claims, "It's all about what makes you feel good." "Suddenly you're a hypocrite if you want to show your skin, and you're easy and you're a slut and you're a wh---. If I am, then I'm proud," completed the singer.
I tried to put this puzzle together when I remembered that Eilish is only 19 years old. A 19-year-old girl changed her looks and got the world talking about it! I can't help but feel fiberglassed by the reach, power, and importance 19 years old kids have today. Her relevance isn't undeserving at all, but it's crazy to think of the storm created by the press and social media around a 19-year-old girl's transformation. As if it comes as a surprise that a young girl of her age decided to try another look. Shocker, right?
Back in 2019, a 17 y.o. Eilish claimed she wouldn't ever need a stylist. She said in a New York Times profile then: "I'm not that kind of person, and I'm not that kind of artist." Looking at her Vogue cover shoot, I fear that Eilish might be on track to become another talented pop singer who succumbed to the music industry machine. It wouldn't be the first time, and sadly not the last. But at the same time, she is just another young girl experimenting and trying to figure out herself. And she should feel free to do it.
Of course, it isn't that easy when you are in the limelight. However, aside from the media scrutiny that comes with being a celebrity, isn't it odd that today we give so much importance to something so trivial as changing a look? More importantly, why do people care so much about 19 y.o. girl's change of heart. Looks like we have plenty of more pressing topics going on in the world. A global pandemic, maybe?
Eilish transformation into a bombshell sexy siren might be confusing and perhaps a risky career move. Or it might be another Instagram-like look that we will forget a week from now. Soon, we will find out. I'm not downplaying the importance of young people having a voice, questioning society, and pushing for change and progress. But I wonder if we are putting too much pressure on youngsters and giving too much importance to people who don't know much yet?
Maybe we should hear their questions and have a conversation instead of expecting them to have all the answers.