[TW: Contains references to self-harm and disordered eating]
Singer Billie Eilish has always been candid when it comes to the topic of body image and in the past has delighted fans, many of whom love her signature loose-fitting clothes, by letting haters and trolls know she's rising above their BS commentary.
Now, in the run up to a new documentary about her life dropping next month, the nineteen-year-old has opened up about her difficult past with mental health struggles and how feeling the pressure to look a certain way seriously impacted on her psyche, even causing her to experiment with diet pills at a young age.
During the new in-depth interview with Vanity Fair, Billie recalled a time that she was so unhappy with her appearance that she sadly began self-harming. "The reason I used to cut myself was because of my body, to be quite honest with you," she shared. "I only started wearing baggy clothes because of my body,"
Billie continued on to say she'd also felt such intense pressure to look a certain way that as a twelve year old she tried taking weight loss pills and developed a pattern of disordered eating. "Five years ago, I wasn’t really eating. I was, like, starving myself," she says. "I remember taking a pill that told me that it would make me lose weight and it only made me pee the bed—when I was twelve."
It goes without saying that weight loss pills are not a safe means by which to lose weight, and if you find yourself contemplating the use of them, it would be better to discuss your thoughts with a GP instead who can advise you.
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She added that while she had a distressing time grappling with her body, it was also disappointing and upsetting when the internet began weighing in with hurtful opinions too. "The internet hates women," Billie remarked, but also said that she was in a stronger place now and better able to deal with negativity.
Posting about the interview on her Instagram account, the Bad Guy singer said, "@VANITYFAIR COVER ☺️ read the article for more on the doc, excited for you guys to see it on 2/26."
We're so glad Billie is a better headspace now and can't wait to see what the documentary, Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry, has in store.
Beat is the UK's leading charity dedicated to helping people with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling and want to seek help, call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 or visit their website for more details.
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Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.
