Pop culture has often encountered unique talents who managed to reach the top. These individuals are driven by talent combined with a palpable hunger for recognition and an incredible need to be heard. This is how Madonna, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Taylor Swift won the hearts of millions of listeners.
Today, in the spotlight is an ordinary, at first glance, girl with a masculine name: Billie Eilish. Her songs are rapidly spreading across the globe: she performs at the Oscars, and leaves the Grammy Awards with five trophies. And if you’re not familiar with her name, your children, who like the artist herself, belong to Generation Z, surely know it.
We’ve gathered a few facts to help you get a little closer to understanding the phenomenon of this young talent.
Fact #1.
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird was born on December 18, 2001, in California, and wrote her first song when she was just eleven years old. Her parents allowed her to be homeschooled, where a creative atmosphere always prevailed: her mother wrote screenplays, and her father played piano and Hawaiian guitar.
The singer herself attended choir classes, which, as she admits, helped her learn to control her voice and develop her natural talent. Billie’s older brother, Finneas O’Connell, was also passionate about music and later became his sister’s music producer. In 2015, he wrote “Ocean Eyes,” which Billie performed in her unique style, propelling her toward global success.
Fact #2.
Despite her sweet, hypnotic voice that envelops the listener, Billie’s songs are quite depressive. Even her mother, who accompanies her on every tour, admits that after reading some of the lyrics, she feels worried about her child. The singer herself admits that 2018 was one of the most challenging years of her life due to the sudden rise to fame and responsibility, as her work represents a completely new level of experiencing emotions, one that only a teenager can reach.
This can be considered the artist’s main strength: the extreme sincerity and complete openness with which she stands before the camera, interacts with journalists, and engages with fans.
Fact #3.
A firm “no” to stereotypes. The toned figures, sparkling smiles, and spectacular shows of modern pop stars dictate a certain behavioral model to their fans. Billie Eilish does not conform to this image: despite the fact that many global brands are already working with the singer, she sticks to her own style, which she calls “weird.”
She might appear at an event in pajamas, change her hair color from neon green to purple, wear massive jewelry, and oversized hoodies. As Billie herself admits, she simply wants people to appreciate her work, not her appearance or fashion sense.
Fact #4.
At the age of 17, the young star made it into the Guinness World Records as the “youngest female artist to hold the number one spot in the charts.” Her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? topped the UK charts for 114 days. Previously, this record was held by Avril Lavigne, who became hugely popular at the age of 18 with her album Let Go!.
Fact #5.
In 2018, Billie was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, the manifestations of which Billie Eilish’s fans, who follow her every step, couldn’t help but notice. The condition causes nervous tics, leading to the uncontrollable utterance of certain sounds and words. “I never talked about it publicly because I don’t want Tourette’s syndrome to define who I am.
But when I opened up about it, I found out that many of my fans also live with this condition, and it made me feel better,” shared the singer. Few celebrities are willing to be so candid about their health issues.