Billie Eilish: Get to know the 'Happier Than Ever' singer
From 'Bad Guy', to world tours, and her own fragrances!
2024 has been a big year for Billie Eilish! After releasing third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft', and a Number 1 collab with Charli XCX, the singer has now revealed that she’s going on tour, coming to the UK in 2025.
The ‘Bad Guy’ singer shot to fame in 2015 with hits like 'Bury A Friend' and 'Ocean Eyes' - plus many more! And in 2023, she released 'What Was I Made For?', for the Barbie movie, which resulted in the song being nominated for a Golden Globe, as well as winning a Grammy for Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media in 2024! Here’s everything you need to know about our girl, Billie Eilish…
What is Billie Eilish's real name?
It really is Billie Eilish! Her full name is Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell.
How old is Billie Eilish?
Billie's birthday is 18th December 2001, making her currently 22-years-old and a Sagittarius. ♐️
Where is Billie Eilish from?
She was born in LA in the US, growing up in the Highland Park area, and is of Scottish and Irish descent through her parents - actress and screenwriter Maggie Baird and actor Patrick O'Connell. This had many fans questioning 'Is Billie Eilish British?', but alas, no she is not.
Where does Billie Eilish live?
Billie resides in her family home, with her parents, in the Highland Park neighbourhood located in the North East of Los Angeles.
Billie Eilish's brother
Billie's brother, Finneas, is a songwriter, and has worked with his sister on many of her biggest tracks - including her breakthrough song 'Bad Guy' as well as the James Bond soundtrack, 'No Time To Die'. He's also worked with Camila Cabello, Selena Gomez and John Legend, and appeared in four episodes of Glee in 2015 as Alistair.
In 2023, the pair wrote 'What I Was Made For' together, which was performed by Billie and has been nominated for a Golden Globe, in addition to winning the Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media in 2024.
New music from Billie Eilish
Billie's hit music producer brother, Finneas, revealed in December 2023 that her next album is 85% complete. Speaking with Mr Porter, he also opened up about the subject matter of Billie's next album, saying: "I don’t think Billie was particularly sure about how she actually felt about the things we were trying to write about." He then explained that: "Making a thing that you feel really connected to – it can really evade you."
She later told fans in February 2024 that her album was finished, and began teasing new music in April, with a video on social media. The video showed Billie falling into some dark water before being pulled out, with some music playing in the background. She has now released her album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'. It went Platinum just six months after its release. The second single to be released from the album 'Bird of a Feather' went platinum in August 2024, reaching over 600,000 sales.
Billie's collaboration with Charli XCX
In 2024, Charli XCX released a remix of her track 'Guess' featuring Billie Eilish. It featured on Charli's album 'Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat', which was made up of celeb collabs. The track debuted at Number 1 in the chart and has been certified Gold.
How did Billie Eilish become famous?
Billie was meant for stardom, being born into a musical and semi-famous family. She was homeschooled by her mum, who also taught her and Finneas how to write songs, and the pair began making music together when she was around 11, writing a song about The Walking Dead - her fave telly show at the time.
Finneas wrote a song called 'Ocean Eyes' in 2015 for his band the Slightly's, soon realising that Billie would be a better fit - and after her dancing career unfortunately ended early due to an injury, she recorded the song and put a music video on her YouTube channel.
She also worked with Finneas on her second single 'Six Feet Under' in 2016, and her mum directed and edited the music video - a proper family affair! After hearing 'Ocean Eyes', Billie was signed to Darkroom and Interscope Records.
Billie released various songs and music videos throughout the next couple of years and went on tour in October 2017, with a second headline tour following in February 2018. Releasing her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' in March 2019, 'Bad Guy' became a worldwide hit.
Check out Billie's amazing career so far:
Early life
The US songstress was born on 18th December 2001 to Maggie Baird and Patrick O'Connell. Before Maggie Baird became Billie's momager, travelling on every tour with her, she was a ground-breaking actress and screenwriter. Coming from a famous family, Billie was always destined for fame!
2015: 'Ocen Eyes'
Releasing her first track to Soundcloud would have been a gamble for other singers, however the singer-songwriter released 'Ocean Eyes' herself, at age 14, in 2015. A definite 'bad guy' move, as it allowed her to have autonomy over her work and career.
The track has since been certified 3x Platinum.
2017: Debut EP
'Don't Smile At Me' was released in 2017, when Billie was only 16, to critical acclaim. For her first album, the success was unprecedented. Following suit, her breakthrough hit 'When The Party's Over' entered the Official Chart as a Top 40 hit, proving that her success was only going to exceed from here.
2018: First tour
The 'lovely' singer blew up and grew up in 2018! This was the year that saw the singer-songwriter embark on her 2018 tour. Billie boasted 74.7M Instagram followers, with a fanbase of 52M monthly listeners, growing her fanbase organically after that first Soundcloud release.
The singer's young fans also see her as a role model. The 'Wish You Were Gay' singer-songwriter has paved the way for young women, as an activist for LGBTQIA+ rights, feminism and mental health.
2018
Billie has inspired her Gen Z generation of young women by standing out and speaking up! Most notably by having her own distinctive, androgynous style, which in itself is making a stance for women's empowerment.
By just being herself and resisting gender norms, Billie has done her bit to reduce the societal pressure placed on women and their appearance. She has made a stand to push against this and make the path smoother for the women breaking into the music industry after her. Inspiring fans with her cutting lyrics, cool persona and success, Billie Eilish has become the voice of this generation.
2019: Debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'
Unsurprisingly, the US singer-songwriter scored Number 1 with her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' in April 2019. Eilish broke a Guinness World Record for being the youngest woman at Number 1 on UK album charts, and for having the most simultaneous US Hot 100 entries by a female.
The album consists of HUGE tracks such as 'Bad Guy', 'Xanny', 'You Should See Me in a Crown', 'When the Party's Over' and 'Bury a Friend'.
2019: Coachella
2019 was the year that saw Billie's iconic Coachella performance. As well as being the year she cemented herself as a fashion icon, she wore head-to-toe Louis Vuitton and burst onto our TV screens in a Calvin Klein ad 'I Speak My Truth in #MyCalvins", sporting her iconic baggy look and opening up about why, saying "I never want anyone to know everything about me. I mean, that's why I wear big, baggy clothes," she says. "Nobody can have an opinion, because they haven't seen what's underneath".
2020: The Grammy Awards milestone
In 2020, our favourite 'bad guy' became the first artist since 1981 to do a full sweep at the Grammy's, winning all four major awards. Billie won Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album. She was the youngest to win these. At age 18, she made history, yet again!
2020: Bond theme 'No Time To Die'
2020 was Billie's year as the star also joined the Bond hall of fame! The US singer-songwriter became the youngest artist to be chosen to lend her voice for a Bond film. Her theme song 'No Time To Die' became Number 1 as well as featuring on the 2020 Bond film.
This placed Eilish alongside worldwide superstars Adele and Sam Smith who have been initiated into the Bond elite too, though Eilish did it at only half their age. Impressive!!
2021
In 2021, at the ripe age of just 19-years-old, Billie had already performed over 450 concerts on tour.
2021: Billie continues working with her brother Finneas
Billie continued to do things differently, being produced by her brother, making her career a family affair. Billie showed how doing things your own way can pay off. Finneas O'Connell is a singer-songwriter in his own right, and has reached his own success.
2021
Working with her brother, Billie and Finneas have written songs together, directed videos and even got Billie's mum onboard to help out! A family affair that will be expecting more stunning collabs from the sibling pair. If it will be anything like 'Everything I Wanted' we are here for it...
2021: New album and tour
Billie released her second album 'Happier Than Ever' on Friday 30th July 2021, featuring singles 'My Future', 'Therefore I Am', 'Your Power', 'Lost Cause', and 'NDA'. She'll also be the subject of a Disney+ documentary - 'Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles' - which will be released in September 2021, as well as taking her new record on tour around the world in 2022.
2021: Fragrance announcement
In October 2021, Billie confirmed the exciting news that she's set to launch her very own fragrance called Eilish. The perfume was made available to purchase from November of that year. Bottled in a amber-bronze gilded bust, of the chest, neck, and collarbone, the singer described the scent as her 'favourite smell in the WORLD'.
Billie then launched Eilish 2.0 in September 2022 - another perfume in that collection, this time in a darker bottle.
2022: Billie live streams her first European concert
In May 2022, Billie Eilish announced that she will be live streaming her first ever European concert. The singer was on her 'Happier Than Ever' Tour, and headed to Deutsche Telekom headquarters in Germany on 1st June. The show marked her first ever show in Europe.
Announcing the live stream, Billie said on Instagram: "Hi it's Billie! Telekom and I would like to invite you to a very special stripped-down show this summer in Europe. For everyone who can't make it, there will be a live stream by Telekom, so make sure to sign up to be notified."
2022: 'Happier Than Ever, The World Tour'
Billie Eilish kicked off her world tour in the US and brought her amazing shows to the UK and Ireland in June.
She played 13 dates across Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Dublin.
2023: 'What Was I Made For?'
In July 2023, Billie released a new track called 'What Was I Made For?', which features on the soundtrack of the Barbie movie.
2023: 'bad guy' gains Diamond certification
In July 2023, Billie's smash hit single 'bad guy' became Diamond certified. Diamond certified songs are those which have exceeded 10 million sales. Announcing the news on Instagram, Billie wrote: 'bad guy went diamond………………………. HUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?????????? forever and ever grateful for this silly little song man. love you guys so much its stupid @finneas.' (sic)
2023: Billie releases the final perfume in the Eilish collection
In September 2023, Billie announced the third and final fragrance from her first collection. Called Eilish 3.0, the bottle resembles the two fragrances before it, however is dark red.
Revealing the perfume would be available from November 2023, the singer wrote: 'aaaaaaaaaaaand introducing Eilish No. 3 !! ;)) my first limited edition fragrance & the last in this collection!!🍒🍒out this november💋💋💋💋💋💋💋'. (sic)
2024: Billie wins two Grammy awards
At the 2024 Grammy Awards, Billie took home the Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media gongs, both for 'What Was I Made For?'
2024: Billie announces 'Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour'
Billie Eilish will be going on tour in 2024 and 2025, coming to the UK for 12 dates in July 2025.
2024: Billie releases her third album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'
Billie Eilish took to Instagram to reveal that her third studio album is now finished. Sharing a series of photos, Billie wrote: ''my album is mastered.'
The singer later confirmed it would be called 'Hit Me Hard and Soft'. It has now been released, going Platinum just six months later.
2024: Billie performs at the Olympics Closing Ceremony
On 11th August, Billie Eilish performed at the Closing Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Before the event, there were several rumours circulating that the singer would be performing, along with The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Snoop Dogg. Despite the rumours, nothing was confirmed until the day that it took place.
Is Billie in a relationship?
In October 2022, Billie was linked to The Neighbourhood singer Jesse Rutherford after the pair were spotted holding hands at Universal Studios. Billie and Jesse later made their relationship Instagram official in November.
However, in May 2023 it was reported that the pair sadly parted ways. Speaking to Page Six, a spokesperson for Billie said: "We can confirm Billie and Jesse did split amicably and remain good friends."
Billie Eilish's perfumes
Billie delighted her fans in October 2021, revealing she would be releasing her very own fragrance called 'Eilish' - fast forward to today, and she now has three fragrances!
Billie Eilish's first perfume, called 'Eilish', officially went on sale on 10th November 2021.
The singer dubbed it her 'favourite smell in the WORLD', writing on Instagram: 'i am SO EXCITED to finally share my debut fragrance “Eilish” with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! this is a scent that i’ve been chasing for years and years. this is my favorite smell in the WORLD.
'🤎🤎🤎 fragrance has always been such an enormous part of my life and existence since i can remember, and it was a dream to create this scent and bring my ideas to life. this has been one of the most exciting things i’ve ever done. i can’t wait for it to be yours so soon!!!!!'. (sic)
Billie later revealed in September 2022 that she would be releasing her second perfume Eilish No. 2.
Announcing the news on Instagram, she shared a picture of the bottle, which is the same as the original fragrance however in the colour black. She wrote: '…….. Eilish No. 2 …….. my new fragrance 👀👀 coming so soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🫣🫣 i’ve been WAAAITING to share this one with youuu ;)' (sic).
It was then on 28th September 2023 that she announced Eilish No. 3 - a limited edition perfume that served as the last of the Eilish collection. Similar to its predecessors, the bottle features a bust, however this time round the colour-scheme was dark red.
Sharing a picture of the Eilish No. 3 bottle, Billie wrote: 'aaaaaaaaaaaand introducing Eilish No. 3 !! ;)) my first limited edition fragrance & the last in this collection!!🍒🍒out this november💋💋💋💋💋💋💋'. (sic)
How can I buy Billie Eilish's perfume in the UK?
Initially, Billie's fragrance was available exclusively from her website, billieeilishfragrances.com, however thankfully you can now purchase Eilish from stores around the UK, including Boots and Superdrug.
You can also get your hands on the fragrance online, with international shipping available.
'What Was I Made For?'
In July 2023, Billie took to Instagram to announce a new song called 'What Was I Made For?', which is out now and featured on the soundtrack for the Barbie movie.
Sharing the news with fans, Billie said: 'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! 🧸🎀🩰💗“What Was I Made For?” COMING OUT JULY 13TH AT 7AM PT. !!!!!!!! 🙈🥰 WE MADE THIS SONG FOR BARBIE AND IT MEANS THE ABSOLUTE WORRRRLLLD TO ME. THIS MOVIE IS GONNA CHANGE UR LIVES AND HOPEFULLY THE SONG WILL TOO. GET READY TO SOB💐👀🌸🥹🫧💞 @FINNEAS.' (sic)
It was later nominated for a Golden Globe. The song also won the Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media at the 2024 ceremony.
Did she perform at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Billie performed at the Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony. The singer took to a stage, which was on the beach near Los Angeles, who will host the 2028 Olympics. Ahead of the Closing Ceremony, several rumours circulated that Billie was performing, with singer Charli XCX even commenting, suggesting she could be due to take to the stage with her, however that wasn't to be.
Did she perform at Glastonbury?
Billie became the youngest ever female to headline the infamous Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2022.
The exciting news was announced by Emily Eavis in October 2021, with her writing on Twitter: 'We couldn’t be happier to announce that the wondrous @billieeilish is headlining the Pyramid on the Friday at next year's Glastonbury Festival, becoming the youngest solo headliner in our history.
'This feels like the perfect way for us to return and I cannot wait!'
Billie headlined the Friday night of Glastonbury Festival in June 2022.
Did she perform at Coachella?
Yes, Billie did perform at Coachella 2022, however she did admit she used a dancer as a body double at the beginning of her performance. In an interview Billie admitted: "I put her (a dancer) up at the back of the stage and she stood there while the lights went on and everybody thought it was me.
"And nobody ever knew it wasn't me, literally nobody knew. And while she's up there, I put on a big black coat and a traffic vest and a hood and just glasses."
What is Overheated?
Overheated is not only the name of one of Billie's songs, but it also became the name of a climate-focussed event, first held in London in 2022. The event returned for a second year on 30th August 2023.
As before, the event brought together climate activists, musicians and designers to discuss the climate crisis.
When is Billie next on tour?
Billie is now on tour, which will continue into 2025. The singer announced her 'Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour' on 29th April 2024, and will be coming to the UK in July 2025.
Debut album: 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?'
Billie's debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' was released on 29th March 2019, with a lot of the album being co-written with her brother Finneas, who also produced the record. It featured the singles 'You Should See Me in a Crown', 'When the Party's Over', 'Bad Guy' and 'All the Good Girls Go to Hell'.
'No Time To Die'
Billie was announced as the newest singer behind a Bond soundtrack in January 2020, becoming the youngest artist to write and perform a James Bond theme song, and it was released a month later.
The song debuted at Number 1 in the UK, giving Billie her first UK Number 1 single - and making her the first artist born in the 21st century to top the chart. She performed the song at the BRIT Awards 2020, where she won International Female Solo Artist.
WATCH: Billie Eilish - 'No Time To Die' (Live From The BRIT Awards, London):
After a number of postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 25th James Bond movie 'No Time To Die' was finally released in UK cinemas on Thursday 30th September 2020.
After the film's release, Billie celebrated 'No Time To Die' going certified platinum in the UK and she celebrated with Daniel Craig and her big brother.
Billie Eilish's album 'Happier Than Ever'
After the release of her epic debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' in 2019, fans have been keen to hear what the singer has in store for us all next. Billie kept the details of her second album pretty quiet for a while, but finally released the record 'Happier Than Ever' on Friday 30th July 2021.
While hosting a Q&A on her Instagram Story in April 2021, Billie revealed exactly how many tracks were going to feature on her second album, with the 'Bad Guy' singer simply sharing the numbers 1-16, along with the caption '👀'.
After teasing that something new was coming our way, sharing an image of her new blonde locks on her Instagram and simply writing: 'things are comingggg' (sic), fans were delighted when just one week later we all received a 15-second snippet of her upcoming single 'Happier Than Ever'.
Fans were then over the moon when just one day later (27th April), the singer announced that her upcoming second album was in fact called 'Happier Than Ever', and was going to be released on 30th July 2021.
Billie released singles 'my future', 'Lost Cause', Your Power', 'Your Power' and 'NDA' ahead of the album's release.
The album also saw her head on her 'Happier Than Ever, The World Tour', where Billie travelled around arenas in North America, the United Kingdom and Europe from February to September 2022.
Billie excited fans even more in May when she revealed that she was live streaming her first ever European concert on 1st June 2022, at Deutsche Telekom headquarters in Germany.
The concert was described as a 'very special stripped-down show' ahead of Billie heading to Belfast to kick off her UK dates.
Billie Eilish 'Guitar Songs'
Billie surprised fans in July 2022 with the release of a two-song collection called 'Guitar Songs'. The collection featured 'The 30th' and 'TV', which she debuted on tour in Manchester.
Billie Eilish: Awards
As well as her BRIT Awards, Billie also won five Grammy Awards at the 2020 ceremony: Best New Artist, Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?', and Record of the Year and Song of the Year for 'Bad Guy'.
At the MTV Europe Music Awards 2019, she won Best New Act, and at the MTV Video Music Awards 2019 she won Best Editing for 'Bad Guy'.
In March 2021, Billie added two more gongs to her Grammy Award collection, taking home Record of the Year for her track 'Everything I Wanted' and Best Song Written for Visual Media for 'No Time to Die'.
She took home the award for International Female Solo Artist at The BRIT Awards 2021, as well as International Artist of the Year at the 2022 ceremony! As Billie is based in the US, she could not be there in person for the 2021 ceremony, and so sent over a pre-recorded message: "Love you so much! This is an honour. The BRITs was so magical for me last year and I think about it all the time. Thank you so much, I miss you and I can't wait til I can come back. Thank you!"
Billie also landed herself a spot on The Oscars 2022 nominations list. The singer, along with her brother Finneas O'Connell, were nominated in the Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song) category. The pair's song 'No Time To Die' from the Bond film of the same name was up against Beyoncé's 'Be Alive' from King Richard.
At the 2022 Grammys, Billie was nominated for seven awards: Record Of The Year ('Happier Than Ever'), Album Of The Year ('Happier Than Ever'), Song Of The Year ('Happier Than Ever'), Best Pop Solo Performance ('Happier Than Ever'), Best Pop Vocal Album ('Happier Than Ever'), Best Music Video ('Happier Than Ever'), and Best Music Film ('Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles').
Billie received six 2024 Grammy nominations and took home two awards, Song of the Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media - both for 'What Was I Made For?'
'What Was I Made For?' was also nominated in the Best Original Song category at the 2024 Academy Awards.
'Bad Guy'
In July 2023, Billie's smash hit single 'Bad Guy' became Diamond certified. Diamond certified songs are those which have exceeded 10 million sales. Announcing the news on Instagram, Billie wrote: 'bad guy went diamond………………………. HUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?????????? forever and ever grateful for this silly little song man. love you guys so much its stupid @finneas.' (sic)
Billie Eilish's hair
Billie's hair colour has become a sort-of staple for the star, and since sporting black hair with luminous green roots since 2019, the star has become known for the iconic two-tone look.
In March 2021, however, 19-year-old Billie shook things up as she ditched the green and black dye and opted for a more subtle, blonde look. Taking to her Instagram to share a snap of her new do, the singer wrote: 'pinch me' (sic).
After the 'Bad Guy' star posted a TikTok showing her slightly lifting what looked like a green and black wig off her head, fans were convinced that she had blonde hair for a few days before the big Instagram reveal, and was hiding it with the hair accessory.
The singer later took to her Instagram at the end of 2021 to reveal that she had changed up her look again, opting for a dark brunette look.
It was clear Billie took a liking to the look, donning it at the prestigious MET Gala 2022, and rocking the dark brunette/black look throughout her tour.
August 2023, however, saw the star shake things up one again! Taking to Instagram, the singer unveiled her brand new red and black hair. With the look almost replicating her 2019 green roots look, replacing the green with luminous red, Billie captioned the post: 'remember me?' (sic)
Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber
Well, it may not come as a surprise to you that Billie is a HUGE Justin Bieber fan! Aren't we all, tbh.
Speaking to KISS back in 2020, Billie revealed she's actually obsessed with Biebz - who sang on a remix of her smash hit 'Bad Guy'.
Has Billie Eilish been on any TV shows?
Throughout her career, Billie has appeared on numerous talk shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live on 13th October 2021, where Jimmy Kimmel helped the singer tick items off her bucket list, including giving someone a haircut, getting a pet mouse, and punching someone!
Sesame Street
The 'Therefore I Am' singer had the honour of appearing on the educational children's show Sesame Street, which has previously seen cameos from stars such as Katy Perry, John Legend and Jason Derulo.
The show aired its 52nd season on 11th November, with Billie appearing alongside a number of celebrity guests. Fans watched as the singer shared a scene with the much loved vampire Muppet Count von Count, as the pair sang a special rendition of her hit 'Happier Than Ever'.
WATCH: Billie Eilish appears on Sesame Street:
The Simpsons
In an episode titled When Billie Met Lisa, Billie is set to appear as herself along with her brother Finneas to have a jam session with Lisa Simpson. The episode will air on Disney+ on 22nd April.
You can hear Billie Eilish's biggest songs on the Tay FM playlist.
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