The World's Biggest 17 Year Old Since Justin Bieber?

All forms of the creative industry are being heavily dominated by young people and have been for years, some examples being internet sensation Cameron Dallas modelling for Dolce&Gobanna and tv superstar Maddie Ziegler going from Dance Moms to being a key feature in Sia's music videos, helping to rocket her success. Overall, those invested in this new age media cannot refrain from the fact that media is becoming increasingly youth-led. So as for the question posed in the title, your answer is Billie Eilish (Pirate Baird O'Connell).

Billie Eilish grew her audience when her first single 'Ocean Eyes' was streamed on Soundcloud and has gone on to attribute over 300 million streams. Now she's one of the world's biggest young stars - remember how Beatlemania became Biebermania? Well now, it's Billiemania - the B's clearly giving other artists a run for their money. Since then, her following has grown (on Instagram) by over 7 million in just five months and has been catching the attention of audiences of all ages such as Dave Grohl, Sporty Spice Mel C, Lana Del Ray, Tyler the Creator and even her former crush Justin Bieber to name a few. To say the world is watching Eilish would be an understatement.

Photograph courtesy of The Fader
Photographed by Daria Kobayashi Ritch
Styled by Shibon Kennedy 

Her upcoming debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?' is already gathering a lot of attention from those beyond her loyal fanbase as they sit anxiously to see what else she has in store, having already released two singles that both placed in the top 10 on pop charts globally. The young starlet already broke odds with her EP placing high up in the album charts. Eilish has described how her album which is soon to be released on March 29th has there own meanings to her but encourages her listeners to make their own interpretations, dwelling on the idea that what it means to her is not what it has to mean to someone else ('it shouldn't), which is something not a lot of young artists (no matter the creative field) encourage, let alone older artists. Many have praised yet also questioned her old, wise mind in such a young stature, which she has credited to years worth of experience from friendships, to the big L word ('love') and her now newfound experience in the public eye. Inspiringly, she has stressed the importance of not discrediting one's feelings and thoughts solely based on their age, which is something she constantly faces as a young person in the spotlight. During her come-up, she has experienced her fair share of heartaches such as the death of her friend and former artist, Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy - professionally known as XXXTentacion - and it has been suggested that he inspired one of the tracks on her upcoming album.

One must certainly admire her approach to her fame, which she expresses complete distaste but gratefulness towards. Her relationship with her fans is beyond admirable and she makes sure to let her fans know how much she loves and appreciates them regularly, which others her age would otherwise forget to do or be 'forced' into doing, highlighting their insincerity - not that she can relate. Another admirable trait is her passion for what she does which is evident in everything she does.

Eilish, however, has gained a lot of backlash for numerous things across her fame growth, one being how her music supposedly encourages depression amongst her young fans as well as dark feelings and thoughts. She has firmly fought back against these claims, instead arguing that her music acts as a diary for her own thoughts, feelings and experiences that by chance, turn out to be relatable. This instead provided more (much needed) attention towards young people who require greater emotional support, with others - parents even - arguing that she has helped to raise awareness for those her age and/or similar. Her latest single 'Wish You Were Gay' has also accumulated a lot of backlash for expressing somewhat homophobic views, with many misinterpreting the song for her liking someone that identified as gay and therefore didn't like her. However, in a recent interview with Popbuzz, she has been quick to hit back and say 'that it's not an insult' and that she 'tried hard for it not to be offensive', instead describing the song to be about her being 'an ass' and wishing the person she loved didn't love her because of their sexual orientation rather than not loving her for who she is. Some may see this as insensitive however in a day and age where almost everything is politically incorrect, sexually objective or mistakingly offensive, it's important we don't discredit those who sincerely and innocently express themselves through their art forms or any other form for that matter.

Aside from her music, Eilish is also prominent on the fashion scene also, having collaborated with Takashi Murakami earlier this year and having major fashion designers send her their pieces, all free of charge - she recently rocked a new Gucci track set from their latest line. Many have questioned her fashion sensibility, often critiquing her for the lack of shape and the sporadic nature to it, however, most admire and she doesn't care because it's how she expresses herself, which is a notable attribute we could all take from the young innovative. She has stated countless times that she would 'love to have [my] own fashion label' which she has already started doing with her Blohsh merch line, which her fans adore. The budding creative has already featured in Vogue, and this was before she featured in the promotion for the new Nike Air Max 720s, so what Billie has in store for fashion this year, only she knows...and her management of course. 

For those who couldn't tell, Billie Eilish is definitely one-to-watch for 2019.

Her debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?' is out worldwide on March 29th and tickets have already gone on sale for her new tour. You can also listen to her music on all streaming platforms and Billie is due to be performing in the UK at Leeds and Reading festivals this summer and you can buy tickets by clicking here.