Scarlett Russell - Be Bad, Be Bold, Be Billie: Live Life the Billie Eilish Way

CONTENTS

Also published in the United Kingdom by HarperCollins Publishers.

BE BAD, BE BOLD, BE BILLIE . Copyright 2020 by HarperCollins Publishers. Illustrations by Amelia Deacon. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

First U.S. edition published 2020.

While every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyright material reproduced herein and secure permissions, the publishers would like to apologize for any omissions and will be pleased to incorporate missing acknowledgments in any future edition of this book.

Cover layout design by Sim Greenaway HarperCollinsPublishers 2020

Front cover illustration by Amelia Deacon HarperCollinsPublishers 2020

ISBN: 978-0-06-305527-8

Library of Congress Control Number 2020018510

Digital Edition AUGUST 2020 ISBN 978-0-06-305528-5

Version 2020-06-30

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Page numbers taken from the following print edition: ISBN 9780008408480

CONTENTS

I n the spring of 2019, a pop star exploded onto the music scene, through the mainstream and straight into public consciousness. Seemingly out of nowhere (though she had been quietly making and releasing music since the age of 13), Billie Eilish Pirate Baird OConnell, at only 17 years old, released her debut studio album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?. It was nothing short of a game-changing record and she was nothing short of a pop phenomenon. Worshipped by fans, acclaimed by critics and embraced by the music and fashion worlds, Billies music, attitude and image came to define the entire year. Duh!

The year before, female pop stars ruling the charts included Ariana Grande (who released Sweetener), Taylor Swift (with reputation), Camila Cabello (with her debut album, Camila) and Cardi B (I Like It was one of the biggest songs of the year). Astonishingly successful 20-something singer-songwriters, they were all about power ballads, dazzling music videos and glamorous outfits. But when Billie burst onto the scene a few months later, releasing her breakout single, bury a friend in January 2019, she gave us something completely different. Her deep, sultry vocals were so soft, they were barely a whisper. Her gothic-tinged music video was entirely black and white save for Billies turquoise-dyed hair. Like something out of a horror movie, the video featured flashing lights and syringes being thrust into Billies back as she sang about wanting to end me. She was dressed in white baggy clothes and thick silver chains; less pop princess, more Eminem.

We were hooked.

When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? was released that March. By July, it had been streamed more than 2 billion times, sold over 1.3 million copies in the US and became the years best-selling album in Canada. In the UK, it had made Eilish the youngest female solo act ever to reach number one in the charts. Billie churned out more hits (bad guy, wish you were gay, all the good girls go to hell). She was booked to play Glastonbury and Coachella festivals that have hosted the biggest names in music, from Beyonc to the Rolling Stones. She graced numerous magazine covers from Rolling Stone to Vogue and would go on to win five Grammy Awards in February 2020, for Best Song (bad guy), Album, Record, Pop Vocal Album and New Artist. That same month, it was announced she would record the theme song for No Time to Die, the new James Bond movie, becoming the youngest artist ever to do so. She had only just turned 18.

But what is it that has made Billie so successful and appealing? How has a teenager from Los Angeles, California, managed to command so much attention and fandom? Who is this girl, with her big sunglasses, grunge-green roots, black hair and big doey eyes beating the likes of Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran on all the recent streaming charts?

For one, Billies emo-image is the refreshing antithesis of bubblegum pop. On the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, she was praised for her triumph of the weird. Her fashion sense remains over-sized, covered-up, big and bold. Where other starlets wear flowing dresses and high heels on the red carpet, Billie bears sneakers and custom-made Burberry coats and T-shirts. Her songs are infectiously catchy and unlike any other sound in the charts today. To her core audience, Billie speaks directly to us through her lyrics. She sings of angst, pain and boredom; parties, rejection and love. Shes open and frank about her struggles with depression. She also talks openly about having synesthesia (the neurosensory wire-crossing in which different senses seem to blend together), as well as a form of Tourette syndrome (see also ), which means she involuntarily rolls her eyes.

Billies a Belieber. Her best friend is her brother, Finneas, who co-created her hit album (it was, in fact, recorded in Finneass own bedroom). She calls out grownups and politicians and does things on her own terms. She regularly advocates veganism to her millions of Instagram followers. She courts controversy with her contentious lyrics and bold statements (in a cover interview with Vogue, Billie sparked backlash when she said, There are tons of songs where people are just lying. Theres a lot of that in rap right now.) She isnt afraid to speak her mind.

But most of all? People just love her. The actor Jared Leto (My So-Called Life, Into the Wild) asked Billie to perform her songs at a private party because he was such a fan; Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio watched from the sidelines as she performed during the iconic comedy show, Saturday Night Live. Her success, crowds and sell-out shows speak for themselves. But, to her fans, Billie manages to be both relatable and stratospherically famous, which is no mean feat.

This book is an ode to Billie; a celebration of a thoroughly modern pop star and a guide to how you, too, can learn from her. Each chapter will examine Billies life, career, style, statements and music. Looking at Billies words and actions, it will also provide you with the tools, tips and guidance to inspire you, make you feel even more badass than you already are, and it might even help you through a struggle or a difficult time in your life. It will also be a lot of fun! Well delve deep into how Billie creates the songs we love, how she bosses her mental health struggles and has embraced the fine art of self-acceptance. Well look at how she loves her family and fans and how, with her sass and business brain, she runs her empire, not neglecting the mistakes shes made along the way (hey, none of us are perfect, even Billie!). With activities, quizzes, tips and tricks that you can do anywhere, with anyone or by yourself, this book shines a light on what it means to be bad. To be bold. To be Billie. Enjoy!