COLD OPEN: Billie Eilish shocked fans when
she issued a powerful statement on body shaming
during her concert, and now she finally released
the chilling speech as a stripped-down spoken
word video, and it’s just as emotional as
ever before.
What’s up guys, it’s Emile Ennis Jr. here
with Clevver News, and even if you don’t
fall under the ‘body-shaming Billie’ category,
this one is still sure to rock you.
For starters, the fact that Billie Eilish,
who just turned 18, has to release a statement
to the public about body shaming and people
constantly criticizing her from her hair down
to her neon green shoelaces, is infuriating
as a fan.
Just a few months ago, during one of Billie’s
final tour stops of her Where Do We Go?
Tour before it got shut down, she paused her
show to deliver a powerful statement on body
shaming and the effect peoples’ comments
have on her.
The video of grainy, recorded concert footage
went viral as many were shocked to see Billie
appear on the screen in a pre-recorded clip
of her standing in the dark wearing a black
hoodie.
She then begins to strip down while reciting
a vulnerable speech about body shaming and
being objectified by the media until she sinks
into water.
Just yesterday, the same footage that was
written and produced by Billie, herself, has
been released as a three-and-a-half minute
short film called Not My Responsibility and
it’s just as powerful as fans remember it.
The video starts off with Billie asking a
series of questions about how the public perceives
her, starting with QUOTE, “Do you know me?
Would you like me to be smaller?
Weaker?
Softer?
Taller?
Would you like me to be quiet?
Do my shoulders provoke you?”
Throughout the rest of the clip, Billie ended
her statement by saying, “We make assumptions
about people based on their size.
We decide who they are.
We decide what they’re worth.”
She goes on to ask, “If I wear more, if
I wear less — who decides what that makes
me?
What that means?
Is my value based only on your perception?
Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?”
If, for some reason, you haven’t been following
Billie throughout her career, the original
video was in response to being sexualized
for what she chooses to wear, or not wear,
and how her decision to cover up in oversized
outfits was solely for the purpose of not
giving men a chance to oversexualize her.
She recently opened up to Vogue Australia,
saying, “What I like about just dressing
like I’m 800 sizes bigger than I am is it
kind of gives nobody the opportunity to judge
what your body looks like.
I don’t want to give anyone the excuse of
judging, and it’s not like everyone’s
going to judge you, but they all do in their
head, like even if they’re not trying to.”
Billie has also briefly admitted that her
own negative perception of her body plays
a role in covering up.
Even while Billie was still underage, a photo
of her in a tank top surfaced back in July
which led to the public taking aim at her
for showing off her curves, as well as her
breasts being the No.1 trend on Twitter at
the time.
More recently back in January, she also shared
photos and videos of a vacation with some
friends in Hawaii when many were quick to
comment on her body while posing in a swimsuit.
She recalled the incident during an interview
with Dazed Magazine, saying QUOTE, “It was
trending.
There were comments like, ‘I don't like
her anymore because as soon as she turns 18
she’s a whore.’
Like, dude.
I can’t win.
I can-not win.”
It really is heartbreaking to watch Billie
being torn to shreds for wearing even just
normal everyday clothing, and believe it or
not, these instances are just two of MANY
that prompted Billie to drop the haunting
PSA video.
So I know we’ve been talking about the people
who oversexualize and taunt Billie via social
media, but there are also millions of fans
who are coming to her defense.
Upon sharing the video yesterday, fans have
reacted on YouTube, and are shocked that she’d
even have to reshare this.
One user wrote, “This is sad.
The fact that Billie even has to do something
she's not comfortable with is disgusting.
Billie is herself, she wants to be herself,
just let her be herself.
It doesn't matter what you look like.
It doesn't matter if you're short or skinny
or whatever, no one is perfect.”
Another user commented by saying, “Billie,
please do not wear revealing clothes because
of others.
Wear them for you.
For.
You.
Not for us, the fans, haters, and anyone in
between—for you.
Wear what makes you feel like a goddess.
Wear what makes you feel safe.
Wear what makes YOU happy.”
AMEN to that, and it’s refreshing to know
that Billie has such a solid fanbase willing
to come to bat for her at any given time.
Be sure to let me know all your thoughts on
Billie’s chilling new video down here in
the comments.
For more breaking news updates, click to the
right to see Lana Del Rey attempt to clarify
the backlash she received over the weekend.
I’m your host Emile Ennis Jr., bye guys!
