It might surprise you that Billie Eilish, known for her distinctive voice and unique style, recently witnessed a rapid drop of 100,000 followers on Instagram, all occurring just one hour after she uploaded a rather provocative image.
Billie first caught the world’s attention in 2015 with her soul-stirring track, “Ocean Eyes.” Fast forward, and she’s a globally recognized star with a staggering 121 million followers on Instagram.
However, during the promotion of her album “Happier Than Ever” in 2021, Billie unveiled a quite different side of herself—swapping her iconic green hair for sleek blonde locks and stepping out in a corset. This bold new look caused quite a stir.
The shift wasn’t well-received by everyone. A handful of followers expressed their feelings publically, saying things like, “I used to love Billie until she changed,” and, “Bring back the green hair!” While another noted, “Not a role model anymore.”
Unfazed by the criticism, Billie Eilish responded head-on. In an interview with CBS, she reflected, “I spent the first 5 years of my career getting absolutely obliterated by you fools for being boyish and dressing how I did and constantly being told I’d be hotter if I acted like a woman.”
She continued, “And now when I feel comfortable enough to wear anything remotely feminine or fitting, I changed and am a sellout. I can be both.”
Standing up to detractors isn’t a new ground for Billie. In 2020, Billie got involved in the “post a picture” trend that swept the social media landscapes. At the time, the then 19-year-old showcased her artistic talents by sharing a glimpse of her sketchbook, featuring drawings of nude women.
Following this post, Billie saw her follower count dip from 73 million to 72.9 million. In typical Billie fashion, she humorously responded to the follower loss with “LMFAOOO y’all babies smh.”
Reflection:
Billie Eilish’s journey through fame is sprinkled with moments where she’s had to defend her evolving appearance and expression against waves of judgment. Her daring to change and challenge preconceived standards continues to be a testament to her ability to remain true to herself amidst the fluctuating opinions of the public eye. Her story serves as a reminder that embracing who we are, in all its facets, is a journey worth undertaking, no matter the criticism that may follow.
