Billie Eilish on fame, imposter syndrome and identity - BBC World Service, 100 Women

At the age of 20, Billie Eilish is the first singer born in the 21st century to hit No 1 in the Billboard charts and win an Oscar.

She has more than 200 million followers across her social media. We join her for the last night of her world tour to talk fame, imposter syndrome and identity for BBC 100 Women.

The BBC 100 Women team has a mission to address the under-representation of women in media. If you are interested in their content check out these playlists:

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[esterluterkortermen]

i have never appreciated an artist as much as I appreciate billie

[jowers]

it feels so good to hear someone with a big platform talk about feeling empowered by masculinity as a woman. i am obsessed with billie and i think one of the bigger reasons is that i feel represented by her as a (straight, cis) woman that never felt really comfortable with appearing feminine but at the same time feels like a woman, wants to be a woman and wants to be viewed as one. it's insane that this had been adressed so little in the last decades and she really makes me feel seen. i'm 31 years old – being a teenager in the 00s meant growing up in a really binary world and i never felt completely comfortable with the female role models that were available to me in pop culture. so she is just one big frickin breath of fresh air to me. i wish i had someone like her when i was younger.

[AndieWalsh]

But your power as a woman is not just masculine and feminine: it's inherent. Like a bolt of lightning.

[arya]

The internet and cancel culture have been a mess these past few years. Billie is such a pure soul and I hate it when people never listen to her words and just keep judging her. I just really hope she doesn't get hurt by all this.

[AshleeRose]

I love Billie so much ♥️ she’s a huge artist but still humble and herself. I relate to her about having a balance of masculine and feminine with style. It’s really nice to hear someone like her say it

[nathielesales]

That that she said it's so true, it's so hard change when everyone also has this idea about who you are. Billie we are so here for all kind versions of you <3

[evasigala]

I totally understand what she means by feeling stronger when feeling masculine. I experience that feeling when working out at it is a huge motivation of why I enjoy working out. Doing things like lifting weights that's considered 'masculine' gives me such a feeling of strenghth and confidence. It's not even about body image, or trying to look sexy. It's about being strong when for so long we have been told women should be delicate and fragile. Maybe it's because our society has reserved certain actions or behaviors as 'masculine' and therefore as something 'stronger' people would do. So, naturally, now that we're finally starting to enter this world that for so long we were not allowed to be in, or was not expected of us to be in, it only makes sense that it makes us feel strong and empowered.

[nixelpixel]

wow i just started watching but I already love the production of this video. big respect to you Megha and all of the team!!

[rubydoobyyy]

billie has been the biggest inspiration for me in my life, no i’m not a singer or famous but she’s helped me so much over the last few years i owe her. i love you billie💞

[juliedacosta]

Her success is impressive.
There is no others words.

[bgie]

I came of age in the 2000s. I wish there was an artist like Billie in those days. Gen z, you give me hope !

[hrhmakayla]

billie talking about crying about how wanted her live performance to be as an artist and seeing how she is now is INSANE to me because she achieved it and i love her so much for that. im biased but i think she’s the BEST performer in our generation. 🫣

[ivyeilish]

i’m crying cause i love her so much and i can’t take it

[debbiegarland]

I can’t get enough of her, thanks BBC for an interesting interview and some new footage. Was nice to hear from fans that weren’t screaming lol. You go girl xxx

[derekruehl]

The whole thing on masculinity and femininity rly resonated with me

[katianasouzadecastro]

??? – Billie Eilish is the first artist born this century to hit number one in the Billboard charts. From signing a record deal at 14 she's gone on to become an era-defining star. Along the way, she's picked up seven Grammys, two Brits become the youngest star to headline Coachella and Glastonbury and won an Oscar. She's grown up online in the public gaze, connecting her to a global digital generation. Performing to sell-out arenas with her songwriter brother Finneas, Billie's also joined by her environmentalist parents on tour. She's also got over 100 million followers across social media, making her one of the most influential young stars of her generation. And this is the final night of her world tour, and i've come to have a chat with her.
Billie Eilish, welcome to BBC 100 Women, thank you so much for doing this.

Billie – Thank you for having me. How are you doing?

??? – I'm doing very well. So i'm gonna read you a couple of descriptions of you in the press.

Billie – Okay, go for it.

??? – An icon. The hope for pop music's future. A weird but important feminist.

Billie – What does that even mean?

??? – How would you describe yourself?

Billie – Oh my God, I have no idea. I don't know. I feel like might have know how to answer that question like, couple years ago. I don't know anymore. Because I don't look at myself in that way, I don't look at myself like i'm somenthing to explain. You know what I mean? I just exist. I'm just a person. I'm just existing and doing my part in life.

??? – You said a couple of years ago that you don't think there are many headlining opportunities for women. And thet look at you, the yougest person ho headline Glastonbury. What do you think has changed for women in that time? Or has anything changed?

Billie – I think a lot has changed. I think like, we're in such a, I mean, I'm just in awe of the time we're in right now, because of - women are just like at the top right now. I mean, top of all the charts, it's women, women, women, i mean

[josephlloyd]

I never see it as male or female, it's just about the music and the talent. Billie's blessed with that in spades. 💯🏆💕

[Outcast]

I love her so much she has grown and matured so much as a person and sky is the limit for her. I can’t wait to see what she does next. She is just always feel genuine, sweet and honest, and actually cares about her fans, which is one of the many reasons we love her🥰😇💚🖤

[themanhattanproject]

There has been much progress! She has opened the door to women who have a different style and perception than the previous Britney spears and Christina's. It's been HUGE for women. Plus she and finneas opened the door to showing how they got so successful. It's incredible what she's done.

[ericadaboss]

I'm so proud of her 😊 she came along way. Eilish's Nation