The sexualization of Billie Eilish

CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO COURTESY OF jus10h

Eilish is not letting toxic body stereotypes in society hold her back from being comfortable with herself. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Cayla Carlson

Last month, 19-year-old music superstar Billie Eilish blew the internet away when she posted a photo of herself wearing an outfit far from her usual baggy clothing. She donned a fitted corset with over the knee stockings inspired by 1940’s women’s style. While people had a variety of opinions on the photo, it raises the question: is she selling out or growing up?

Eilish has always been open with the internet about her body image struggles. When asked why she prefers wearing baggy clothes, she responded with “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.”

Following Eilish’s recent photo, the internet erupted in shock. While most fans were supportive, some were critical that she tried to hide parts of her identiy for so long. While some argued that Eilish was changing her style for attention, the shoot just shows that she is growing up and not letting people hold her back.

It leads one to wonder how the internet would have reacted if she always wore fitted clothing. Likely, Eilish would not have received as much attention or backlash. This goes to show that society tends to sexualize “revealing” or “unusual” things not only for Eilish, but also other celebrities. Eilish spoke to Vogue about the people who had things to say about her new look.

“The more the internet and the world care about somebody that’s doing something they’re not used to, they put it on such a high pedestal that it’s even worse,” Eilish said. “Don’t make me not a role model because you’re turned on by me.”

With her new style change, Eilish is making it clear that she is no longer letting toxic body stereotypes hold her back from feeling good about herself and what she leaves on the internet. While there are people who dislike her new style transformation, her career will only flourish as she dabbles in new styles.

“I feel more like a woman, somehow,” she explained. Billie Eilish has grown as both a person and as a music artist, and her recent changes are not selling out, but rather growing up. Eilish has not worried about what others have to say about her look and is only beginning to change the way society looks at sexualization.