Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has consistently vocalized the experiences she faced growing up in the scrutiny of the public eye as a female teenage artist in the industry. The 22-year-old seldom shies away from expressing issues related to mental health, womanhood, misogyny, body dysmorphia, and much more. Often, these sentiments find their way into her music, inspiring and resonating with millions undergoing the same treatment.
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Recently, the artist delivered an unfiltered speech about dealing with feelings of internalized misogyny at the Power of Women event, leading many netizens who have felt the same in their lifetime to appreciate Eilish’s authenticity.
Ironically, her open dialogue about these concepts surfaced around the same time she received flak for a statement she made in a Variety interview. Claiming that men aren’t criticized for their bodies landed the young star in hot water.
Billie Eilish On Not Feeling Like A Woman And Internalized Misogyny
At Variety’s Power of Women event, the Swarm alum delved into her experiences with womanhood and coming to terms with it. The speech came after Barbie alum Ariana Greenblatt expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Oscar-winning star’s music, honesty, artistry, and self-expression. Moved by the 16-year-old’s words, Billie Eilish couldn’t help but get emotional when it came time for her to share a few words.
She began her statement by affirming strongly that she is often reluctant to give speeches as she finds it better to offer her platform to those more well-versed with what they’re saying. Tearing up, the artist expressed her gratitude for Greenblatt, a young artist in a similar situation that Eilish once found herself in—constantly under the glare of the public eye as you’re growing up. She then began her speech:
“It’s hard to be a woman out here, guys … I’ve never felt truly like a woman. I’ve spent a lot of my life not feeling like I fit in—to being a woman … Because of that insecurity, I became almost ‘pick me’ about it. And I’d be like, ‘Oh, I’m not like other girls. I don’t do this and this.'”
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Continuing, Billie Eilish underscored how she has slowly come to terms with her identity despite the internalized misogyny she struggles with:
“I’ve grown to be very resentful of that period … I’m so much more interested in being like other girls because other girls are f—king tight. I love women. This sounds kind of f—ked up, but I have a lot of internalized misogyny inside of me, and I find it coming out in places I don’t want it to.”
The singer-songwriter concluded by saying the following:
“… With full transparency, I feel very grateful to be a woman right now. I feel very proud, and I feel very honored to be here.”
Eilish’s observations and experiences symbolize the complexity of femininity and the challenges frequently faced in womanhood. It is essential to verbalize these grievances in a culture that resonates but has no means of addressing such feelings. Artists like the 22-year-old foster a safe space and constructive dialogue for individuals experiencing similar emotions.
Netizens Called Billie Eilish’s Comment On Men’s Bodies “Tone-deaf”
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While Eilish’s comments vocalizing her experiences with womanhood have garnered empathetic resonance from many individuals, one particular statement she made in her Variety cover story led many to criticize the artist for being tone-deaf about men’s issues. She claimed that male bodies never undergo any criticism as women are “nice.” Following is what the artist said:
“Nobody ever says a thing about men’s bodies. If you’re muscular, cool. If you’re not, cool. If you’re rail thin, cool. If you have a dad bod, cool. If you’re pudgy, love it! Everybody’s happy with it. You know why? Because girls are nice. They don’t give a f—k because we see people for who they are!”
The remark received considerable flak on the internet. Some, however, agreed with her stance. When Pop Base (via X) shared the statement, one netizen retorted, “This is false and a little tone-deaf.” Others’ responses underscored the universal and sinister nature of body shaming and how no gender is exempted from it.
Eilish’s unabashedly honest comments have birthed an excellent deal of division on the internet as audiences and fans go back and forth on whether or not the artist’s endorsement of body positivity is gendered. Even after a month, the discourse keeps resurfacing, and the young star has found herself in troubled waters amongst many netizens and previous supporters.
