Billie Eilish on fame, imposter syndrome and identity - BBC World Service, 100 Women

At the age of 20, Billie Eilish is the first singer born in the 21st century to hit No 1 in the Billboard charts and win an Oscar.
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She has more than 200 million followers across her social media. We join her for the last night of her world tour to talk fame, imposter syndrome and identity for BBC 100 Women.
The BBC 100 Women team has a mission to address the under-representation of women in media. If you are interested in their content check out these playlists:
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[@BBCWorldService]

👋🏽Hi! We hope you enjoyed this interview by the BBC 100 Women team. Billie Eilish was included in the list of 100 names that BBC 100 Women publishes every year, with a mission to address the under-representation of women in media. We are constantly looking for inspirational women and girls from all around the world, leading on change in the fields of politics, social affairs, environmental activism, and many more areas. If you want to help us in this exciting project please suggest in the comments below names of amazing female leaders you would like to see included in that list. Thank you for watching this interview! If you enjoyed it, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel here 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM

[@esterluterkortermen6163]

i have never appreciated an artist as much as I appreciate billie

[@edgarallanhoe8838]

That’s sad for u.

[@spotifypremium0]

@@edgarallanhoe8838 not sad, billie is truly amazing

[@edgarallanhoe8838]

@@spotifypremium0 amazing if you have no taste lol.

[@ale68076]

@@edgarallanhoe8838 that’s is sad to you to be here as a hater, you clearly have such an empty life that you waste your time writing hater stuff. Did you know haters on socials are scientifically diagnosed as psychopaths? I advise you to make an appointment with a good psychologist bc you need help. By an old music teacher and number 1 Billie fan.

[@ale68076]

@@edgarallanhoe8838 that’s is sad to you to be here as a hater, you clearly have such an empty life that you waste your time writing hater stuff. Did you know haters on socials are scientifically diagnosed as psychopaths? I advise you to make an appointment with a good psychologist bc you need help. By an old music teacher and number 1 Billie fan.

[@LilOrphanAnnie333]

But your power as a woman is not just masculine and feminine: it's inherent. Like a bolt of lightning.

[@gabvulpes]

power is a construction, and so are femininity and masculinity

[@danw9464]

@@gabvulpes incorrect, masculinity and femininity are divine concepts. We strip away the divine element, then they are worthless.

[@world_army2023]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ-6mnWnmsaVqJo

[@JuditaHoffman.]

That is very '90s a thought or phrase. And I don't mind, I like it. 🪄🫧

[@StreetfighterU]

@@gabvulpes 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jowers7335]

it feels so good to hear someone with a big platform talk about feeling empowered by masculinity as a woman. i am obsessed with billie and i think one of the bigger reasons is that i feel represented by her as a (straight, cis) woman that never felt really comfortable with appearing feminine but at the same time feels like a woman, wants to be a woman and wants to be viewed as one. it's insane that this had been adressed so little in the last decades and she really makes me feel seen. i'm 31 years old - being a teenager in the 00s meant growing up in a really binary world and i never felt completely comfortable with the female role models that were available to me in pop culture. so she is just one big frickin breath of fresh air to me. i wish i had someone like her when i was younger.

[@magemaster6239]

THIS, OH MY GOD, THIS

[@tangerinetangerine4400]

Not being into skirts or makeup or trends doesn't make you masculine.

[@ale68076]

@@tangerinetangerine4400 you don’t understand a shit about this … congrats😂😂😂

[@jowers7335]

​@@tangerinetangerine4400 didnt say that

[@theredknight9314]

The only reason you feel uncomfortable being feminine is because feminists have told you that the only way to succeed is to be masculine. You shouldn’t feel bad for being feminine, especially because you will never actually be masculine. It’s like a costume that women wear because they are groomed into believe feminist is weak. It’s not. And I don’t understand why you would feel this way but hopefully you find out what bugs you and fixes it so you don’t regret anything later on in life.

[@arya1529]

The internet and cancel culture have been a mess these past few years. Billie is such a pure soul and I hate it when people never listen to her words and just keep judging her. I just really hope she doesn't get hurt by all this.

[@evasigala7391]

I totally understand what she means by feeling stronger when feeling masculine. I experience that feeling when working out at it is a huge motivation of why I enjoy working out. Doing things like lifting weights that's considered 'masculine' gives me such a feeling of strenghth and confidence. It's not even about body image, or trying to look sexy. It's about being strong when for so long we have been told women should be delicate and fragile. Maybe it's because our society has reserved certain actions or behaviors as 'masculine' and therefore as something 'stronger' people would do. So, naturally, now that we're finally starting to enter this world that for so long we were not allowed to be in, or was not expected of us to be in, it only makes sense that it makes us feel strong and empowered.

[@yulexisvictoriano9546]

THIS!!❤️❤️

[@theredknight9314]

That feeling you get while working out isn’t masculine it’s just physical power. It isn’t the lifting of weights that’s masculine it’s the man lifting the weights which creates the masculinity. It’s the same reason as to why men fighting is masculine and women fight is feminine. Because it is the act of the man fighting which makes it masculine and it is the act of a women fighting that makes it feminine. You clearly have this strange idea that somehow an action in and upon itself is either masculine or feminine whilst in reality it’s the act of a feminine or masculine being doing them that makes them masculine or femine. For example a mother bear fighting yo protect its cubs is not masculine but feminine because it’s is out of maternal love and motherly desire to protect her children while a male bear fighting for territorial dominance is masculine because he seeks to mate, control land and be the alpha male. Thus it is not that something is inherently one way or the other but rather why you do it and who does it that makes it what it is.

[@ms37373]

As a male I totally agree with you but just be careful not to fall into this crazy feminism. Don't stop proceeding tho 💪

[@hrhmakayla]

billie talking about crying about how wanted her live performance to be as an artist and seeing how she is now is INSANE to me because she achieved it and i love her so much for that. im biased but i think she’s the BEST performer in our generation. 🫣

[@Jack2729o]

And she does everything by herself….. no dancers, she put together her shows Etc she does everything. I have never seen in my life a 15/20 year old who was able to entertain ALL the crowds: arenas and stadiums only by herself and 2 musicians behind her …the connection she has with the music and the audience is something unique and spiritual. She gets inside you. I'm almost 40 and I went to her concert… WOW… this girl is a phenomenon. Also in her performance she is unique .. I have never seen anyone do the things she does on stage .. she is also original.

[@cattinkerbell4946]

Not only in your generation...

[@ferninthehouse]

@@Jack2729o she doesnt do everything by herself, her brother finneas writes all her songs with her and goes on tours with her

[@non_conformist4229]

@@ferninthehouse they meant on stage.. she controls the whole audience

[@ferninthehouse]

@me I said he writes her songs WITH HER not that he’s the sole artist behind the songs ☠️ no need to suck her off like that

[@AshleeRose]

I love Billie so much ♥️ she’s a huge artist but still humble and herself. I relate to her about having a balance of masculine and feminine with style. It’s really nice to hear someone like her say it

[@moad5771]

"humble" 💀

[@edwinsparda7622]

@moad 🤣🤣🤣 Humble my ass. Talks like she's a philosopher but in reality is a massive c**t.

[@moad5771]

@@edwinsparda7622 fr so self absorbed nowadays she completely lost touch with reality

[@solike1497]

@@moad5771 in what way?

[@msunje9862]

@@moad5771another self absorbed MALE

[@alyssahlouise2]

IM THE ONE WITH TATTOOS!!!!!!

[@Ess541]

You're so cute, she knows your face now ❤️❤️❤️

[@georgia1832]

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! 💜💜

[@shelbysmama4974]

Nice ink! Make sure you protect them from the sun. UV rays will kill a tattoo faster than anything. Research the best sunblock for tattoos. You can ask your tattoo artist, but I strongly recommend asking a DERMATOLOGIST!! No one, literally, knows more about protecting your skin than a Derm doc. Plus I'm sure any Derm doc would feel honored that you're seeking their opinion on this. Bc I hate having to apply sunblock with my hand, I use Neutrogena Beach Defense 50+ Sunblock STICK. OMG it's so convenient. I'm okay with it leaving a slight whitish film over the tattoo bc 1) it shows ppl I'm protecting my ink; and 2) you can wash off the sunblock but you can't wash off the UV damage. I have 2 large tats (Women's World Cup trophy and the Metallica ninja star) I've never had to get touched up. People think they're only a few years old, and when i tell them they're 22yrs and 23yrs old, their jaws hit the floor. All thanks to sunblock. Have you considered getting them colored?🤔 Colors are how you really make a tattoo come alive.

[@deborahjames7068]

Badasss

[@888young2]

Saaaaad

[@nathielesales4964]

That that she said it's so true, it's so hard change when everyone also has this idea about who you are. Billie we are so here for all kind versions of you

[@rubydoobyyy]

billie has been the biggest inspiration for me in my life, no i’m not a singer or famous but she’s helped me so much over the last few years i owe her. i love you billie💞

[@andrew5222]

you owe her absolutey nothing

[@nixelpixel]

wow i just started watching but I already love the production of this video. big respect to you Megha and all of the team!!

[@juliedacosta9930]

Her success is impressive. There is no others words.

[@katianasouzadecastro7503]

??? - Billie Eilish is the first artist born this century to hit number one in the Billboard charts. From signing a record deal at 14 she's gone on to become an era-defining star. Along the way, she's picked up seven Grammys, two Brits become the youngest star to headline Coachella and Glastonbury and won an Oscar. She's grown up online in the public gaze, connecting her to a global digital generation. Performing to sell-out arenas with her songwriter brother Finneas, Billie's also joined by her environmentalist parents on tour. She's also got over 100 million followers across social media, making her one of the most influential young stars of her generation. And this is the final night of her world tour, and i've come to have a chat with her. Billie Eilish, welcome to BBC 100 Women, thank you so much for doing this. Billie - Thank you for having me. How are you doing? ??? - I'm doing very well. So i'm gonna read you a couple of descriptions of you in the press. Billie - Okay, go for it. ??? - An icon. The hope for pop music's future. A weird but important feminist. Billie - What does that even mean? ??? - How would you describe yourself? Billie - Oh my God, I have no idea. I don't know. I feel like might have know how to answer that question like, couple years ago. I don't know anymore. Because I don't look at myself in that way, I don't look at myself like i'm somenthing to explain. You know what I mean? I just exist. I'm just a person. I'm just existing and doing my part in life. ??? - You said a couple of years ago that you don't think there are many headlining opportunities for women. And thet look at you, the yougest person ho headline Glastonbury. What do you think has changed for women in that time? Or has anything changed? Billie - I think a lot has changed. I think like, we're in such a, I mean, I'm just in awe of the time we're in right now, because of - women are just like at the top right now. I mean, top of all the charts, it's women, women, women, i mean

[@mahmoudmohamed-db3oy]

This is my whole life!

[@venus7382]

my love for her will never end

[@carathwaite2680]

Agreed

[@howtobe_rich]

Very nice! She's moving towards icon status

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Grow up

[@b00gie007]

I came of age in the 2000s. I wish there was an artist like Billie in those days. Gen z, you give me hope !

[@patriquesantos5621]

i love this girl so much

[@ben0789]

Same

[@ninadhedaoo2424]

this is so calming

[@solike1497]

The black hair is everything ❤

[@nugsefaqmamscandphdstudent8446]

She is beyond amazing!

[@debbiegarland7124]

I can’t get enough of her, thanks BBC for an interesting interview and some new footage. Was nice to hear from fans that weren’t screaming lol. You go girl xxx

[@thewildrose347]

I admire this girl SO MUCH

[@milenaabbudharada1229]

Billie’s so amazing

[@dominikadariamiekczynska1315]

I feel powerful when I feel feminine

[@fhiyos_2611]

Correct

[@JOHN-hp6yd]

You are one in a million.

[@mafereir]

femininity isn't wearing makeup or cute clothes

[@iknowthatyouknowthatiknowt2930]

its different for everyone one, neither is better

[@yasmina2080]

I love Billie sm

[@x0billieeilish]

I love her so much 😭❤️

[@sophiarose8420]

she is so amazing she has come so far

[@josephlloyd9636]

I never see it as male or female, it's just about the music and the talent. Billie's blessed with that in spades. 💯🏆💕

[@WalrusesAreTheOne]

😂

[@howtobe_rich]

Agreed! It's other people that put labels on everything

[@josephlloyd9636]

@@howtobe_rich I guess it's a human condition they can't help but stereotype. And repeat. Etc 🥴🚬

[@howtobe_rich]

@@josephlloyd9636 Totally !

[@angdlr_rey]

Billie is a great role model

[@leo_lm1066]

Hell no

[@z-rex6068]

Nah, even Hitler would be a better role model than her

[@expanda4976]

The best interview I’ve ever seen, with such cool people 😮

[@kelsilulu]

I love seeing the fans out there!!! ❤

[@world_army2023]

[@derekruehl5573]

The whole thing on masculinity and femininity rly resonated with me

[@Outcast99202]

I love her so much she has grown and matured so much as a person and sky is the limit for her. I can’t wait to see what she does next. She is just always feel genuine, sweet and honest, and actually cares about her fans, which is one of the many reasons we love her🥰😇💚🖤

[@billiefan1224]

Its so good to see that billie and her brother are bestfriends and they have a good relationship between them and i wish my sister and i had the same kind of bond but every now and then she tells me she hates me or just doesnt like me and ik i shouldnt take it seriously and that shes maybe kidding cuz sometimes we get along but i do take it seriously and seeing billie and her brother together like that makes me kinda sad

[@sniiissshhhkapictures1956]

The interviewer is just lovely!!

[@ivyeilish7112]

i’m crying cause i love her so much and i can’t take it

[@allonekingdom]

You're idolizing another human being. She just sings songs and gladly, she seems down to earth about her situation

[@len246.]

I love her soo much😭like soo muchhhhh😭😭😭

[@florajones8372]

I have so much love and respect and heart for you Billie. I hope you’re doing good and you continue to find happiness in life, I love you❤🎉

[@PATRISHAlv]

thank you for existing, Billie ❤️

[@Aussie-Poo]

Stay Grounded Billie-Baby! Keep Scoring into The stratosphere… You Are … Be Blessed and Guided Through your inner-self

[@CatsInHats-S.CrouchingTiger]

Why didn’t she say, “I feel powerful,because I am feminine with strong characteristics of masculine traits, because generally, I am a female who was lucky to be brought up with love, support and respect.” 😮‍💨

[@diana-nd5pq]

i love you so much billie💕

[@ben0789]

Same

[@bils.cute.lil.fr3ckles]

Angel. ❤

[@keepyourhandsonme]

love her🙁

[@Ashleynikko]

Billie 🖤

[@ylysoh9255]

Billie! ❤❤❤

[@SarahMcAsey93]

Really good chat.

[@themanhattanproject2471]

There has been much progress! She has opened the door to women who have a different style and perception than the previous Britney spears and Christina's. It's been HUGE for women. Plus she and finneas opened the door to showing how they got so successful. It's incredible what she's done.

[@arachnidlupus7625]

Oh yeah, because people like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Alanis Morissette, P!nk, Avril Lavigne (and so many others) totally did not exist before her LMAO Billie stans are insufferable. You guys act as if this woman has done something revolutionary, when there are several female popstars/musicians, who have done and accomplished similar things in terms of influence, legacy, artistic achievement etc. Billie is talented, but she is not some kind of a trailblazer lmao

[@farahwork2552]

Thats Exactly my point arachnid these people are tripping disregarding the multiple women that came before her and did the same exact thing they are revering her for.

[@kalvheps5973]

Gotta luv Billie!Greatest female singer EVER!( IMO)So beautiful as well!

[@michaelsutherlandsk8a4life]

Avril Lavigne

[@Armit555]

Gorgeous 🙂🖤

[@19eightytw0]

MISLEADING TITLE, she said such wonderful things and this is what BBC came up with?

[@iihrrtmylaa]

i love this

[@kev_agudelo]

Billie is a powerful woman

[@eliasjimenez8490]

my girl

[@paulbudnowski]

Her story really is so insane. Still love her she hasn’t changed for the worse at all. Kinda unbelievable

[@Griff.photography]

It’s so interesting she said she didn’t know what she was doing and that it was hard for her growing in the public eye. Because even as someone her same age and in college I think we feel the same way even though we arnt in the public eye . And that it’s hard to grow because to us she seems far more grown than people our age are…

[@bunibil]

iLOVEYOUBILLIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@enns5366]

I love her so much. She's such a beautiful young woman. I can't wait to see how she grows and blossoms

[@doesitmatter5708]

Those buns and bangs are so cute ❤

[@LucasEilish]

Amo para sempre

[@BillieWonka]

Billieeeeee

[@StrawberryFeildsforNever]

Very confused as to why a lot of you are shocked by her saying that she feels powerful when presenting masculine. Masculinity has always been the model of what “powerful” is and has to be. Whenever a woman is characterized as “powerful” or “badass” 9 times out of 10 she is also described as being a “guy’s guy” Or presets masculine with a short haircut, pants, or some masculine attribute to her.

[@ysitta]

eu te amo, Billie

[@zedboy9999]

She's got it figured out this girl. I have never seen such a stable head on someone in her position.

[@GABchaine]

Cool interview, thanks interviewer :)

[@Lysouza]

i love you billie

[@sanjanajirankali]

she's so mature, i love her so fckin much ahhhh

[@itsjusrue]

my heart

[@rachelbirdy3850]

There I was watching the news cos well I’m old and on pops my gal billie… thanks bbs news… she is an icon!

[@billieeilishx4529]

My love ❤❤❤❤

[@RhiannonClarkMusicofficial]

I am a Singer and Songwriter/ performer... I get what Billie is saying 💜🔥 Singing in an 80's band as I did ... I remember I preferred singing the songs written by Men... Being in your masculine feels good 💗🌹🙏 But also does working with your feminine 💜🌹🔥🙏 It a balance... so True 💗 Good for Billie ❤️... And other Woman in the Arts ❤️... A positive interview over all 🌹 Woman are powerful and always have been... It just seems like now we are getting some sun on our faces 🌹💗❤️🔥🤘

[@austinphoenix13]

She does have the best fans in the world,they’re so passionate and care so much about her,it’s adorable❤

[@zoethestrange13]

WE LOVE YOU BILLIE🫶🫶🫶

[@benedettavalenti9330]

my love

[@milesmcquerrey2836]

I love you.

[@diancamorris6145]

I have a huge crush on her I love you billie

[@AudaKontroll]

Billie is BAE!

[@rylee8415]

"they come first" what if i cry

[@rubabishmal3268]

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE BILLIE SOOOOOOOOOOO MUCHHHHHHHH❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SquishSquish]

She looks so good you can tell she's been in thr gym

[@bluejane562]

Billie is a Scorpio moon. All women with such position of moon in their natal chart feel more masculine, feel more powerful and comfortable when being in masculine energies.

[@myluvisbillie]

eu amo essa mulher

[@maryfrump7937]

She sings about what girls and women feel.

[@nora09822]

Femininity itself is subordinance. so i get why women don't wanna be feminine anymore. and that's ok. i'm a woman and i've never felt like i was taken seriously the way i wanted to be when i was feminine. and you can't blame society for it because as i said ; femininity suggests subordinance. it's not internalized "misogyny", it's the truth of what feminine polarity is. if you wanna be delusional about it, then be my guest.

[@julie3722]

That speaks that the feminine image is conflicted. I also wonder why she says she needs to feel masculine to feel powerful. Femininity is powerful af. I do think a lot of people don't even know when they are in their feminine power and mix it up with masculinity.

[@blazwura97]

Why yall cut out 10 minutes of good parts 😭

[@i01gabikkjk]

Eu to tão orgulhosa da Billie🥺

[@sombh1971]

❤

[@mireyaarora5873]

honestly, i think that being a feminist and supporting women's rights has started to become a little "cringy" in schools now, and it really made me feel good to see her just so casually supporting the movement and supporting all the women achieving in their fields. made my day :)

[@youruncle3840]

Will someone please hand the interviewer some chapstick

[@emppuv6083]

God I love her SO MUCH. I cannot explain what she means to me.

[@lilamontoya5609]

I like that she likes Jessie Reyez

[@ChrisBronson-gn5yd]

😏👌 Billie "ALL" grownup Now !!! 🔥💞🐦💞🔥 Thanks!

[@boldinagy148]

Please explain why does she said that when she was younger everything was male dominated and she had no chance and hope to be a star as a girl . When she was young there already was a ton of super famous female movie star or singer ,or even politician . She had many ppl to llok up to as a girl already so I dont understand

[@joceliaav]

💗

[@cattinkerbell4946]

She is so much more intelligent than all those plastic pop money puppets for the industry,

[@Furdonkulous]

Next time please also ask how billie or whoever you're interviewing is. Its common decency to ask someone how they are after they ask you 😁

[@Jack2729o]

Good observation, she always asks how people feel Etc .. she is so empathetic and kind with people a beautiful lovely young lady 🥰

[@kekw5153]

Maybe deep inside shes nervous? Sometimes i get anxious and stopped myself from asking how are u back when someone ask me 😭 i cant help it when im in the situation

[@NallahBrown]

Billie asked the interviewer how she was doing but the interviewer didn't ask Billie how she was doing. I wish she would've ask. Lol

[@eulajoypaglinawan3556]

😍😍😍😍