Billie Eilish, one of the fastest rising stars of this year, is known for her chart-topping hits that bend the rules of pop, alternative music, and electropop.
The 18-year-old singer has made a huge impact in the music industry – she was even nominated for six categories for the Grammys, including Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year.
But behind the baggy clothes, huge chains, and neon green roots, who is Billie Eilish? Here are some of the facts you must know about the pop artist:
Her Full Name
Billie has a very unique name – Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell – so let’s break it down one syllable at a time. The Bad Guy singer was born to actor parents Patrick O’Connell and Maggie Baird.
They became fixated on the name Eilish after watching a documentary about conjoined twins Katie and Eilish.
This was supposedly her first name, but the matriarch’s dad, whose name is Bill, died while she was pregnant with the singer. Pirate was a name given by her brother Finneas, who was only four at that time.
She Used to Do Background Vocals
If you are a big fan of the movies Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Ramona and Beezus, and the X-Men franchise, chances are, you have heard Billie’s voice in the background.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, the When the Party’s Over hitmaker revealed that she lent her voice as one of the kids we hear in the movies. She enjoyed those moments because they just had to shout some words in the recording room.
She Used to Work at Stables
Billie’s love for horseback riding goes way back when she was younger. Now, she explained that this became therapeutic for her and it helps stabilize her mental health.
Her parents couldn't afford her lessons, so she worked at the stable in exchange, which, unfortunately, did not go well for her. She felt ostracized and noticed that other kids belittled her because she worked in the barn, so she stopped. Now that she has more money than she could have asked for, she came back and rediscovered her love for horses.
She Was Homeschooled
She and her older brother Finneas were homeschooled by their parents, who had to leave the entertainment industry for their family. Their mom and dad let them choose the subjects they love while pursuing their passion for music.
In her Carpool Karaoke with James Corden, she also said that her parents let them practice their music as long as they want to. She passed her high school equivalency test, graduating at only 15.