Billie Eilish slams mag for ‘outing’ her: ‘Leave me alone’

Billie Eilish is calling out media outlet Variety for “outing” her as queer during a red carpet interview that went viral over the weekend.

US singer Billie Eilish. Picture: AFP

Billie Eilish is calling out media outlet Variety for “outing” her as queer during a red carpet interview that went viral over the weekend.

The Bad Guy singer, 21, previously said she was “physically attracted” to women when she sat down with the magazine for a profile in November.

A reporter from the outlet interpreted that to mean Eilish was revealing she was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

The interviewer then proceeded to ask the singer if she intended to come out while interviewing her on the red carpet for the Variety Hitmakers Brunch on Saturday.

“Thanks Variety for my award and also outing me on a red carpet at 11am instead of talking to me about anything else that matters,” the Grammy winner captioned an Instagram dump the following day.

“I like boys and girls leave me alone about it please literally who cares.”

Billie Eilish talks about coming out at Variety’s Hitmakers event:

“I kinda thought, wasn’t it obvious? I didn’t realize people didn’t know”

pic.twitter.com/qPxY0cV73X

— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 2, 2023

At the event, Eilish said she “didn’t realise people didn’t know” she was queer.

“I didn’t [know I was coming out], but I kinda thought, wasn’t it obvious?” she added.

“I’m still scared of [women], but I think they’re pretty.”

Eilish also noted that she doesn’t believe people should have to reveal their sexuality, whether they’re in the public eye or not.

“I saw the article, and I was like, ‘Oh, I guess I came out today.’ I just don’t really believe in [coming out]. I’m just like, why can’t we just exist? I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I just didn’t talk about it,” she said.

Billie Eilish’s Variety magazine cover. Picture: Variety

Billie’s hit back at the outlet for “outing” her. Picture: Getty

The outlet has not addressed Eilish’s comments.

Last month, the What Was I Made For? hitmaker made some rare comments about her attraction to other women.

“I’ve never really felt like I could relate to girls very well. I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real,” she told Variety.

Eilish further clarified, “I’m physically attracted to [women]. But I’m also so intimidated by them and their beauty and their presence.”

The singer previously dated rapper Brandon “Q” Adams and The Neighbourhood frontman Jesse Rutherford.

Since splitting from Rutherford, who was 11 years her senior, in May, the singer was seen getting cozy with Love, Victor actress Ava Capri, who is queer, at a party.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Billie Eilish slams mag for ‘outing’ her: ‘Leave me alone’