From the Magazine
Summer 2018 Issue

Billie Eilish: The Young Upstart with Co-Signs from Lorde and Halsey

With a unique set of influences and an accomplished debut single under her belt, this L.A.-based teen is ready to take on the festival circuit—and this summer’s streaming playlists.

Photos: Billie Eilish Just Being Billie

  • Eilish wears a jacket by Gucci earrings necklace and ring by John Hardy necklace and ring by David Yurman for...
  • Eilish wears Fendi.
  • Eilish wears clothing and hat by Burberry. Earrings by David Yurman.
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Photograph by Scott Trindle. Styled by Ryan Young; For details, go to VF.com/credits.
Eilish wears a jacket by Gucci; earrings, necklace (bottom), and ring (right hand) by John Hardy; necklace (top) and ring (left hand) by David Yurman; for details, go to VF.com/credits.

AGE: 16.

PROVENANCE: Los Angeles.

THE FAMILY: Eilish and her older brother, Finneas O’Connell (20), collaborated on music from the start. “We wrote, I sang, he produced—it happened gradually.”

THE CATALYST: “I find a lot of inspiration through visuals. When I was 12, I saw Aurora’s “Runaway” music video. Something inside me clicked, like, that is what I want to do, no matter whether it goes anywhere or not.” It has. Her debut single, “Ocean Eyes,” catapulted Eilish to fame, and her unique sound and modern teen spirit have earned her co-signs from Lorde, Lana Del Rey, and Halsey.

THE INFLUENCES: “I grew up on the Beatles; I love Linkin Park and Green Day. I heard hip-hop for the first time at 11 and realized what I was missing.”

THE ENDGAME: With last month’s sold-out tour under her belt, Eilish has made it clear that she’s a role model. “I’m trying to show everybody that I’m a girl and I’m five foot four and you can do anything you want, no matter your gender. It’s your world, too!”

THE ROAD AHEAD: This summer, Eilish is on the festival circuit at Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Osheaga, with no signs of slowing down. “I’m designing clothes, I want to direct videos. My first album is out soon, and then another one, and then another one. I will just keep making music.”

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