Billie Eilish has spoken out about how growing up in the public eye has caused her to reflect on past interviews and the nature of the internet. The 19-year-old, who was recently accused of racism following a resurfaced TikTok video, expressed her embarrassment at her comments in past press interviews, which have been taking place all throughout her adolescence.
“It’s really weird how the world can see every aspect of your life and reminisce about [it]. It’s so weird,” she shared in a recent interview. “The internet brings up things from everybody’s past and I’m like: ‘Don’t you guys understand that everybody is incredibly embarrassed and ashamed about their past? Like, do you not think about the fact that maybe you’re embarrassed of your past, so maybe everybody else is embarrassed, too?'”
Eilish admitted that the things she spoke about as a young teenager continue to bother her as time goes on. “I said so many things then that I totally don’t agree with now, or think the opposite thing,” she stated. “The weirdest thing is how nothing ever goes away once it’s on the internet. Every interview I did when I was 15 is still out there, and I think about it constantly.”
In the TikTok videos, then 13-year-old Eilish was seen mouthing the lyrics to the song ‘Fish’ from rapper Tyler, The Creator, which contains a derogatory slur against members of the Asian community. The ‘NDA’ singer quickly apologized, taking to Instagram to say that she was “appalled and embarrassed” that she “ever mouthed along to that word”.
“Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry,” she wrote.
