In a captivating interview ahead of her headline set at Glastonbury this weekend, The global phenomenon Billie Eilish has opened up about her historic milestone and the lack of representation at the pinnacle of the industry. Heavy is the head who wears the crown, particularly for those so isolated at the top of the game.
In her own words, Eilish stated in an interview; “I would see these line-ups for festivals and it was all dudes. And it was all artists I liked, but it was just like, ‘When will women be involved?’ Women have to have a million back-up dancers and a million costume changes and their hair done, and crazy costumes and stage set-up. I love male performers, but they barely have to do shit to have a show that people like, and women are expected to have the biggest show.”
She went on to say; “I’m tired of feeling like we have to do that to feel adequate. If you want to do that, then that’s so great, but I remember thinking that I would never be able to headline anything because of those expectations.”
At the tender age of just 20, Billie Eilish has some quite astounding historic records to her name. Her debut album When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Had the biggest opening week in the history of Billboard’s current chart, as well as ushering in a new era by being the very first artist born in the 21st century to have a No.1 album.
With this kind of exposure at such a young age, one couldn’t see a better example of someone coping with this level of fame. Yet Eilish has been open about the feeling of imposter syndrome she experiences. Stating; “I often feel like I don’t deserve to be here right now doing this show and on this stage. Any time in the last year I’ve headlined a festival, I’ve felt like, ‘Why would you choose me?’ With that in mind, I’m going to go even harder to prove to myself that I can do it and not to half-ass it… I will be going out and full-assing it,”
“Half of me is like, ‘This is so stupid and so humiliating that I’m here, I shouldn’t be allowed to be up here or ready for this’. And then the other side says, ‘No, you’re here; they chose you and they’re here for you’. I have to convince myself that I’m not a huge loser and accidentally there… I find it very hard to process this life sometimes.”
Eilish is currently touring across the UK and Europe for her Happier Than Ever victory lap. Dates and ticket info can be found here.
