Billie Eilish has recently expressed confusion over the overwhelming reaction to what many perceived as her “coming out.” The globally renowned musician, who has captivated audiences with hits like Bad Guy, Ocean Eyes, and Everything I Wanted, has already achieved remarkable milestones in her career. As the youngest artist to ever headline Coachella and the only woman to sweep all four major Grammy categories in one night, she continues to solidify her influence in the music industry.
Beyond her music, Eilish has also been the subject of public fascination due to her high-profile relationships, including past romances with rapper Brandon Adams and singer Jesse Rutherford. However, it was a recent interview with Variety that brought an unexpected twist to her public image, as she casually mentioned her attraction to women—an admission that led to an explosion of headlines and social media speculation.
During her cover story for Variety’s Power of Women issue, Eilish spoke candidly about her experiences as a young woman in the spotlight. She admitted that she has often felt a sense of disconnect from other women, saying, “I’ve never really felt like I could relate to girls very well. I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real.”
This remark, though seemingly straightforward, was widely interpreted as her coming out moment. However, Eilish later revealed that she hadn’t anticipated such an intense reaction. In fact, she was caught off guard by the way her words were dissected and debated across the internet.
In the same interview, Eilish delved into her complex relationship with femininity, explaining how her hit song What Was I Made For?, featured in the Barbie movie, took on a deeper meaning for many women. The song resonated with countless fans, who used it as a soundtrack to reflect on their own journeys of self-acceptance and womanhood. The music video itself showcased miniature versions of her iconic oversized outfits, a visual representation of her evolving relationship with her body and personal style.
Reflecting on her early years in the industry, Eilish explained that she intentionally hid her body from the public eye: “I didn’t want people to have access to my body, even visually. I wasn’t strong enough and secure enough to show it. If I had shown it at that time, I would have been completely devastated if people had said anything.”
She went on to express how she has never felt traditionally desirable, sharing: “I’ve never felt like a woman, to be honest with you. I’ve never felt desirable. I’ve never felt feminine. I have to convince myself that I’m, like, a pretty girl. I identify as ‘she/her’ and things like that, but I’ve never really felt like a girl.”
In a separate Rolling Stone interview, Eilish expanded on her sexuality, revealing that her song Lunch was inspired by her feelings for a girl. According to the article, the lyrics suggest a deep, passionate attraction, with Eilish describing the experience as akin to devouring a meal. She reflected on the song’s significance, stating, “That song was actually part of what helped me become who I am, to be real. I wrote some of it before even doing anything with a girl, and then wrote the rest after. I’ve been in love with girls for my whole life, but I just didn’t understand—until, last year, I realized I wanted my face in a v****.”*
Following the publication of her Variety interview, Eilish attended the Variety Hitmakers event with her brother, Finneas, where they accepted the Film Song of the Year award for What Was I Made For?. On the red carpet, a reporter asked if she had deliberately intended to come out in her interview. Eilish’s response was both nonchalant and revealing: “No, I didn’t, but I kinda thought… wasn’t it obvious? I just didn’t realize people didn’t know.”
She further elaborated on her views regarding public declarations of sexuality, saying, “I just don’t really believe in [coming out]… why can’t we just exist? I’ve been doing this for a long time and I just didn’t talk about… whoops.”
As the internet buzzed with reactions, Eilish admitted she was surprised by the public’s fixation on her words. She recalled seeing the headlines and thinking, “Oh, I guess I came out today… OK, cool.” Still, she acknowledged that it was somewhat exciting for people to be aware of this aspect of her identity, adding, “I am for the girls.”
Despite her casual stance during the interview, her frustration became evident when she later addressed the situation on Instagram. Sharing a collection of photos from the event, she wrote: “Thanks Variety for my award and for also outing me on a red carpet at 11 am instead of talking about anything else that matters. I like boys and girls. Leave me alone about it, please. Literally, who cares? Stream What Was I Made For?”
Months later, Rolling Stone reported that Eilish had re-evaluated her initial response, admitting she may have overreacted to the situation. While she initially played it cool, she later realized she had never fully processed her own feelings about her sexuality. “I went into Billie Eilish interview mode, [like], ‘Oh, I don’t care. Yeah, I’ll say whatever. Wasn’t it obvious?’” she reflected. “And then afterward I was like, ‘Wait. It wasn’t obvious to me.’”
Although she has since made peace with the situation, Eilish expressed frustration over the way the internet pressures people—especially young celebrities—into labeling their identities. She pointed out how some individuals don’t fully understand their sexuality until much later in life, remarking, “I’ve 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.”