© VARIETY
In a recent interview with Variety magazine, singer Billie Eilish opened up about personal battles with femininity and desirability that have followed her since childhood. The 21-year-old Grammy winner explained she’s “never felt like a girl” despite identifying with she/her pronouns. Eilish says it takes active self-talk to believe she’s a “pretty girl.”
This tracks with Eilish’s earlier style choices to hide her figure under baggy clothes. She disliked the sudden attention on her body when showing skin, not wanting that kind of visual access. While not her original intent, Eilish wonders if her apathy toward sexualization stems from never feeling genuinely wanted. At only nine, large breasts brought an awareness of sex that she wasn’t ready to cope with.
Eilish’s frustration with double standards was clear. She challenged the idea that sexuality should elicit shame, pointing out that she enjoys it sometimes too. The singer had harsh words for those policing women’s appearances, favoring a “suck my a**” sentiment over politely disagreeing.
Most striking was Eilish’s comparison of how society views men and women physically. Regardless of build, shape, or dad bods, men face acceptance rather than judgment. Eilish credited women with this more positive attitude, untroubled by selfish pressures to conform. In the end, she advocates seeing individuals for who they are beyond superficial traits.
