Billie Eilish, the acclaimed singer and artist, recently addressed the media frenzy surrounding her sexuality in a candid Instagram post. In a Variety interview last month, Billie openly discussed being attracted to both men and women, marking the first time she explicitly delved into the subject. While she had hinted at her attraction to women before, this interview provided a more direct insight into her feelings.
During the Variety interview, Billie shared, “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.” She emphasized her deep connections with women in her life, acknowledging both the emotional and physical aspects of her attraction. However, she also expressed feeling intimidated by their beauty and presence.
Recently, on the red carpet at Variety’s 2023 Hitmakers event, Billie faced questions about the comments made during her cover interview. The interviewer brought up how women responded positively to Billie’s revelation that she felt they didn’t like her for a long time. In response, Billie humorously said, “I’m still scared of them, but I think they’re pretty.” When asked if she meant to come out in that story, Billie laughed and expressed surprise, stating, “Girl, no I didn’t, but I kinda thought, Wasn’t it obvious? I didn’t realize people didn’t know.”
Billie, who has previously voiced frustration about the media’s fixation on her sexuality, shared her belief in simply existing without the need for labels. Despite her humorous approach to the questions, she mentioned feeling nervous talking about the subject on the red carpet but reiterated her support for the LGBTQ+ community, stating, “I am for the girls.”
Following the red carpet interview, Billie took to Instagram to express her dissatisfaction with the media coverage. She accused Variety of “outing” her on the red carpet instead of discussing other meaningful topics. Billie 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.’”
While some sympathized with Billie’s frustration over the focus on her sexuality, others clarified that Variety didn’t actually “out” her. The interviewers merely inquired if she intended to come out during the previous interview where she discussed her attraction to girls. Despite the mixed reactions, Billie’s stance against undue scrutiny on her personal life resonated with those who believe in letting individuals, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, live authentically without unnecessary intrusion.
