Billie Eilish: Execs Predicted I Was Going To Have 'A Horrible Career'

By James Dinh

August 19, 2019

Billie Eilish is still adjusting to certain aspects of the industry, but the pop megastar knows that she has to do things her way. In the newest issue of V Magazine, which was shot by Inez & Vinoodh, the 17-year-old star opened about her early days of her career and one industry meeting that went sour.

"I remember the first time I had any sort of meeting with a label or management, I was 13. I think the only people that didn't look at me like I was going to have a horrible career were the people that I ended up working with," she told guest interviewer Pharrell in the cover story. "Everyone was just like, β€˜Oh, you're 13, yikes, you're going to be used,' and this and that. And I am like, β€˜Yo, y'all are the people that would use me in the situation you are talking about.' So, I don't know what that is supposed to mean."

Eilish explained that the only people that didn't share that mindset were the folks that she "felt an energy and connection with." "I am really, really lucky and grateful that I have had the experience that I had with my label and with my team and everyone, because I never had any issues with people trying to pull me in a different direction, one in which I would not want to be headed," she continued. "I think that might just be because I have always been the kind of person that knows what the f**k I want, and if it's not what I want, then I am not going to do it."

In terms of staying grounded, all while achieving astronomical success, the singer said that she maintains a mindset for when things start to feel too surreal. "It’s insane how fast your body can adapt [to certain experiences], [which then] become not as fun anymore. Or just, the experiences feel more familiar. Your body is like, 'Uh, I did this before' [so on] a weird, [physical] level, gratitude [becomes less second nature]. So I just [have to] keep my eyes open, man, and catch myself when I complain," she explained.

Eilish's new issue ofV Magazine hits newsstands on August 26. You can pre-order your own copy online now.

Meanwhile, Eilish is performing at this year's Daytime Stage at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 21st alongside a lineup of incredible rising stars. A lineup of superstars are also set to perform on the main stage at T-Mobile Arena throughout the weekend, and fans across the country can tune in and watch an exclusive live stream of the show via The CW App and CWTV.com. Then, on October 2nd and 3rd, relive all of the epic performances from the weekend during a televised special on The CW Network at 8pm ET/PT. And leading up to the official television special, The CW will also air an hour-long Best Of Special on Sunday, September 29th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

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| π•Ύπ–•π–Šπ–‘π–‘π–‡π–”π–šπ–“π–‰ | When V was born, Y2K’s wave was cresting. 20 years of memorable stories later, we find ourselves at the onset of a new era; one the mystical @billieeilish is weathering with talent and wisdom beyond her years. The 17-year-old has illuminated a bright path for future generations to be their unequivocal selves. Refusing to alter her artistic vision or compromise the integrity of her craft, she embodies the very spirit that has made V the cultural force that it is, and is thus the perfect cover human for our September issue. Of course, a dream like this would not have come true without the artistic vision depth of @inezandvinoodh paired with the inspiring @pharrell. β€” Tap the link in bio to read our interview with pop’s most powerful phenomenon, and pre-order the issue now via our Shopify site. β€” Photography: @inezandvinoodh Fashion: @alexwhiteedits Interview: @pharrell Text: @mathiasrosenzweig Hair: @jamespecis Makeup: @fulviafarolfi Set Design: @marlaweinhoff Casting: @itboygregk β€” Billie wears cape, top, pants @gucci, necklace (worn as headpiece) @bulgariofficial, ring @tiffanyandco β€” #V

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| π•Ύπ–•π–Šπ–‘π–‘π–‡π–”π–šπ–“π–‰ | Superstar. Defiant. Gen Z. β€œBad Guy.” You just can’t put a label on @billieeilish. Having conquered the music world by breaking every rule imaginable, the 17-year-old superstar is redefining success as she navigates it, experiencing both the beauty and gore of fame. This year, she became the third woman in history to achieve multiple No. 1 alternative singles via Billboardβ€”sharing company with the likes of Alanis Morissette and Sinead O’Connor. With the world at her talon-like fingertips, the star opens up about art, clairvoyance, and sleep paralysis. Tap the link in our bio to read her full interview with @pharrell from the pages of #V121, available for pre-order now. β€” Photography: @inezandvinoodh Fashion: @alexwhiteedits Interview: @pharrell Text: @mathiasrosenzweig Hair: @jamespecis Makeup: @fulviafarolfi Set Design: @marlaweinhoff β€” Billie wears jacket @_namilia_, sweater and top @activity_clothing, necklaces @chromeheartsofficial, sunglasses #KayleighSnowden β€” #V

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| π•Ύπ–•π–Šπ–‘π–‘π–‡π–”π–šπ–“π–‰ | β€œAs we think about how women’s rights are under attack, it’s minds like yours that are going to set not only girls free, but a generation free,” @Pharrell told musician @BillieEilish during our interview for #V121. β€œI hope so, I really hope so,” she replied. β€œI don’t even have words to say about what is going on in the world." β€” Tap the link in our bio to read the rest of the illuminating conversation from #V121. Preorder now on our Shopify site: www.vmagazine.myshopify.com β€” Photography: @inezandvinoodh Fashion: @alexwhiteedits Interview: @pharrell Text: @mathiasrosenzweig Hair: @jamespecis Makeup: @fulviafarolfi Set Design: @marlaweinhoff β€” Billie wears top and pants @craig__green, rings @davidyurman, sunglasses #KayleighSnowden β€” #V

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