Billie Eilish Answers Increasingly Personal Questions | Slow Zoom | Vanity Fair

Summary

In this intimate interview, Billie Eilish opens up about her personal experiences, her family, fame, and creative journey. She shares reflections on her 18th birthday, her fears, and how she finds peace in unusual ways, like driving at high speeds. She discusses the challenges of fame, the importance of being true to oneself, and the impact of her family and brother Finneas on her music. Billie also reveals her creative process evolution and how she copes with pressure. The conversation highlights her raw honesty, humor, and the balance between her public persona and private life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Billie Eilish is candid about her struggles with sleep and late-night habits, wishing she could break the cycle of going to bed late.
• 😀 For her 18th birthday, Billie had a fun and memorable celebration with a bounce house and Taco Bell, highlighting the joy of simple pleasures.
• 😀 Billie hopes the world will prioritize the environment, and she expresses concern about the future, feeling that people should be more understanding and respectful.
• 😀 When asked about vulnerability, Billie revealed feeling trapped during a past emotionally abusive relationship, which was a significant moment in her life.
• 😀 Fame is overwhelming, surreal, and shocking for Billie, but she appreciates having a voice and platform to express herself.
• 😀 Billie values privacy and acknowledges that fame means losing it, expressing that no aspect of her life is private anymore.
• 😀 The internet frustrates Billie, especially when people believe everything they read online without questioning it, even if it's false.
• 😀 After winning Grammys, Billie felt immense joy and excitement, but was also vulnerable due to criticism online claiming she didn’t deserve the recognition.
• 😀 Billie advises those who wish to be like her not to, as it’s not all it seems, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself.
• 😀 Billie’s family is a significant part of her life, with regular dinners and quality time being important to her. She also reflects on her childhood home as her definition of ‘home’.

Q & A

How has Billie Eilish been lately?

Billie mentions that she's been good but struggles with not getting enough sleep, highlighting a common challenge she faces.

What habit is Billie trying to break?

Billie is trying to break the habit of staying up late, as she acknowledges that going to sleep late is something she wants to stop doing.

How did Billie celebrate her 18th birthday?

Billie celebrated by having a party when it was still legal and considered it one of the best nights of her life. She enjoyed a bounce house and went to Taco Bell.

What are some everyday life goals Billie still wants to achieve?

Billie wants to experience grown-up activities like driving to Costco and going to Home Depot alone, reflecting her desire for simple, independent tasks.

What does Billie fear the most?

Billie expresses a deep fear regarding the well-being and health of her loved ones, highlighting the emotional impact such concerns have on her.

Where does Billie go to find peace?

Billie finds peace in taking baths, driving, and sometimes going 120 miles per hour on the freeway, emphasizing the personal and specific ways she seeks calm.

What is Billie's hope for the world when she turns 80?

Billie humorously doubts she’ll live until 80, but if she does, she hopes the world will focus on improving the environment and fostering greater understanding among people.

How does Billie describe fame?

Billie describes fame as overwhelming, surreal, and shocking, conveying the immense and unexpected nature of her celebrity status.

What does Billie find most challenging about fame?

The worst part of fame for Billie is the complete lack of privacy, something she finds difficult to handle.

What does Billie think about the internet?

Billie dislikes how people believe everything they see online without questioning its truth, which she finds troubling.

What advice does Billie give to someone who wishes to be like her?

Billie advises against wishing to be like her, emphasizing the importance of being oneself and appreciating the life and individuality one has.

What does 'home' mean to Billie?

For Billie, home means her childhood home in LA, where she associates warmth, family, and the Christmas spirit, encapsulating comfort and nostalgia.

How did her family influence her as an artist?

Billie’s family, especially her parents, encouraged creativity by allowing her to stay up late as long as she was creating music, ensuring she never had to suppress her artistic impulses.

How does Billie describe her relationship with her brother Finneas?

Billie shares that she was deeply influenced by Finneas growing up, wanting to emulate him in many ways, but later finding her own voice in the process.

What’s one way Billie feels most connected to her family?

Billie feels most connected to her family when they spend time together on tour or during random moments of connection, whether it's late at night or in everyday situations.

What is the biggest difference between Billie’s current creative process and her work on 'When We All Fall Asleep'?

Billie notes that everything about her creative process has changed since 'When We All Fall Asleep,' including where and how she creates. She feels much more confident and inspired in her current work.

How does Billie cope with extreme pressure?

Billie copes with extreme pressure by reminding herself that life is transient and that death is inevitable, which brings her peace. She advises not to take life too seriously and to be kind to others.