Billie Eilish was always talking about body positivity. That's why it must have been a shock to see a backlash after posting a photo in a bikini.
The singer and songwriter is only 19, but she is already famous worldwide.
Her album from 2019 When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Managed to win praises from fans as well as harsh music critics.
She already won most major music awards including seven Grammy awards!
Her style, attitude, everything about young Billie Eilish was (and still) is unusual, but there's nothing extreme about it. She is merely herself.
Billie's Rise To The Top Of The Music Industry
Eilish was homeschooled, and apart from her siblings, she didn't have many interactions with people her age.
It made her music more mature and her lyrics almost hauntingly beautiful.
Her debut album went straight to number one, and Billie shared a photo to celebrate her success with a caption:
"This album [means] the world to me please take care of it."
Previously, her EP reached number 14, which is kind of excellent, especially since she was so young and a bit quirky.
Fashionista On The Rise
Many superstars used their feminity and sex appeal to rise to the top. Yes, we know that Billie was underage, yet we saw this with Britney, Miley, Aaliyah, to name a few.
Music executives see a product and know how to sell it. Harsh? You bet!
But Billie's oversized sweatshirts and sweatpants, wild prints, and overall anti-fashion approach to fashion came as a refreshment.
Check out her Powerpuff Girl matching set - it's odd and looks like a pajama. Yet, it also looks cool, carefree, and very Billie.
Billie's love for fashion goes beyond that weird green tracksuit and tiny sunglasses.
We saw her with almost every hair color ever imagined, and it worked. Every single time.
Not everyone will like her style, but it is hers, and that is all that matters. Besides, she is sending a great message - you can be a success and be you.
Her neon green roots and clashing colors of sunglasses definitely started a trend a few years ago, allowing many young women to express themselves and get out of their comfort zones.
Her latest look is a bit more grown-up, though it might be just a phase.
Body Issues That Turned Into Body Positivity
Billie Eilish's love for baggy clothes is intentional.
She wanted to protect herself from body shaming and judgments. It was a clever way of thinking for a teenage girl. It also taught her to be conscious about promoting body positivity, another great message that shouldn't be lost just because Billie's now a superstar.
A few years ago, she explained her fashion statements:
"Nobody can have an opinion because they haven't seen what's underneath. Nobody can be like, 'she's slim-thick,' 'she's not slim-thick,' 'she's got a flat a**,' 'she's got a fat a**.' No one can say any of that because they don't know."
Regardless of her choices, people tried to sexualize her, even when she was starting at the tender age of 15.
Sadly, she is not alone in this case because there is a pattern where young girls and women are targeted by much older men and some women.
Those who tried to turn her into some sex-machine at such young age blamed her lyrics. But that is never an excuse.
She is singing about her life, and that includes her fantasies. Labeling young or women of any age is something that has to stop.
Besides, an artist has every right to write whatever they feel like. Otherwise, we are going back to the dark middle ages, and who wants that?
Eilish Is Glowing Up
Last year, Billie was ready to take down the trolls. She told Elle magazine:
"I'm going to be a woman. I want to show my body. What if I want to make a video where I want to look desirable?"
She stated she wants more options as she is growing up, stating:
"I know it would be a huge thing.
"I know people will say, 'I've lost all respect for her.'"
The Bad Guy singer started getting numerous mean comments when she was 17, though some were disrespectful way before.
Once she turned 18, in December 2019, people thought she would make some dramatic changes. But she didn't. Perhaps she was scared or didn't feel like it.
It is her body, her choices. Just like her lyrics and songs are parts of her. And if she wants to walk half-naked or sing about bruised knees, you don't have to watch or listen.
Breaking The Internet
Once Billie posted bikini photos and two short videos from her vacation, everyone was talking about her body.
A hashtag BillieEilishBody was trending on Twitter. Many comments were removed due to their harassing nature.
Of course, her fans and many young women did their part to educate people on what it means to be a woman, famous or not.
She chose to share photos because she wanted to. Yes, she knew that she would receive backlash, but nasty comments about a teenager's body are not acceptable.
Anyhow, here are the original photos, and yes, we are jealous because that perfect Hawaii getaway seems like heaven.
Clearly, Billie just wanted to prove that paradise exists.
Billie's Fans Hit Back
Here are just some of the supportive comments women from around the globe shared while some were busy tearing up a young girl's body.
Some fans praised her work while:
It looks like girl power has never been stronger, and we are glad that Billie has such amazing fans.
"When people ask why I like to wear t-shirts the way I do, Billie Eilish wanna help me out on this one? Being a woman is exhausting when others only see our bodies. I love my body. I don't need everyone else to so I'll be comfy + just take it out of the picture."
Stephhh (@Stephanelbow19) March 26, 2021
Some were angrier than others:
Billie Eilish certainly won this battle. But facing a backlash over vacation photos? That's kind of sad.
