Billie Eilish 'Isn't Going to Talk About' Her Sexuality or Dating Life Anymore
Over the course of the last couple of years, Billie Eilish has garnered as much attention regarding her personal life—particularly about her sexuality—as for her music. However, the Grammy-winning artist has now doubled down on stepping back from discussion about her love life in public.
The Pressure of Public Scrutiny
Billie Eilish, Vogue's newest cover star, was candid about the judgment she faces being so public about her sexuality. She looked back on her past openness in the interview, admitting that she regrets revealing as much as she has about her personal life. "I wish no one knew anything about my sexuality or anything about my dating life. Ever, ever, ever," Eilish said. "And I hope they never will again. I'm never talking about my sexuality ever again. And I'm never talking about who I'm dating ever again."
Living with the Intensity of Fame
At an age of only 22, Billie has already experienced the weight of fame in ways most people could only dream of. She said it's overwhelming to have her words magnified that much. "I guess I also underestimate that things I say will be blown up into the biggest news of the whole world. That's so unnatural. We're all babies. We're all little kids growing up and learning ourselves," she explained.
While she has kept her love life rather private, Billie Eilish's relationships have not slipped by people's notice. The most publicised one was with The Neighbourhood band member Jesse Rutherford, but they broke things off in May 2023.
Pushing Back Against Labels and Internet Pressure
In the same interview, Billie opened up about the impossible expectations that come with such public scrutiny. She was frustrated when people had to fit into neat labels about their sexuality. "Who f—ing cares? The whole world suddenly decided who I was, and I didn't get to say anything or control any of it," she vented. Eilish insisted that people shouldn't be hurried or pressed to identify their sexual orientation or define themselves in any particular way.
"Nobody should be pressured into being one thing or the other. I have known people that don't know their sexuality, or feel comfortable with it, until they're in their forties, fifties, sixties. It takes a while to find yourself, and I think it's really unfair, the way that the internet bullies you into talking about who you are and what you are," she added, speaking of the very tortuous journey of self-discovery people take at a time often peculiarly their own.
Art Imitates Life: A Look into Her Song Lyrics
Billie Eilish doesn't stop her exploration of her feelings in her music, either. On a recent remix of Charli XCX's "Guess," Eilish seductively sings of a girl-she seems to claim intimacy with her lyrics:. She sings about the girl in "a lacy black pair [of underwear] with the little bows/ The ones I picked out for you in Tokyo." Like so many lyrical moments throughout the work, it's touching on how continuous her exploration of love and relationships is through her art even as she removes herself further and further from any public discussions on the matter.
Conclusion
Billie Eilish's decision to step back from talking about her sexuality and dating life is therefore the pivotal moment in her career-young artist growing up, fighting with her fame, trying to take control of her story. Her message could not be louder: let everyone have the time to figure out who they are without forcing them onto labels or into boxes.
