Billie Eilish Says Brandy Melville Contributed to Her Body Image Struggles

Billie Eilish, the 22-year-old Grammy-winning singer, opened up about her personal struggles with body image, sharing how the controversial fashion brand Brandy Melville played a significant role in shaping her negative perceptions of herself.

In a recent interview with Complex, published on December 5, 2024, Eilish revealed that her obsession with the brand, known for selling clothes in one size only, began when she was just 11 years old. She expressed how this early fascination led to her developing body image issues.

Eilish’s Early Struggles with Body Image

Eilish recalled a time when she was younger, and her desire to wear clothes from Brandy Melville made her feel insecure about her body. She explained, “I never wore jeans or shorts as a kid. I liked wearing dresses and loose skirts growing up. But when I was around 11, I became obsessed with a brand called Brandy Melville. They only sold clothes in one size, and I was chubby, but I was obsessed with these clothes. I bought a shirt, and it didn’t fit me. That was when my body image issues started.”

The singer also discussed how her early physical development contributed to her struggles. She shared that she developed early puberty, which further complicated her feelings about her body: “I had breasts at nine, and I developed really early,” she continued. “I wasn’t skinny. Plus, I was learning ballet, and that world is full of body issues.”

The Impact of Fashion Choices

As a result of her struggles, Eilish turned to loose-fitting clothing as a way to feel comfortable with her body. Although she initially chose this style because it was her personal preference, she admitted that wearing oversized clothes also helped her cope with her body image issues.

“That’s how I could feel comfortable with my body and not feel tied to how my body looked,” Eilish said. “I didn’t want my body to be a part of my outfit. I wanted my outfit to be my outfit, and my body was just in it.”

Turning Point: Embracing Femininity

Eilish’s relationship with fashion continued to evolve as she gained more success in her career, particularly around the age of 16. She became known for her signature baggy clothing, which allowed her to distance herself from traditional feminine stereotypes. However, she eventually realized the importance of expressing more of her feminine side.

When creating her 2021 album “Happier Than Ever,” Eilish made a bold decision to show her fans that she was more than the image they had built around her. “I had to completely flip everything and become the feminine girl for a second, with pink nails, blonde hair, dresses, skirts, button-up shirts, bras, and lingerie,” she explained. “I really did that just to prove a point. I just wanted to say, ‘F**k you all. I can do whatever I want.’”

Brandy Melville’s Controversial Legacy

Brandy Melville, which started in 2009, became famous for its one-size-fits-all clothing model aimed at young girls. The brand sold trendy pieces like low-rise jeans and super short shorts, becoming popular throughout the 2010s, especially among social media influencers and Instagram stars.

However, the brand has been widely criticized for its limited sizing, which some argue perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards. Moreover, Brandy Melville has faced accusations of fostering a toxic work environment, with former employees alleging instances of racism, anti-Semitism, and sexual exploitation in an HBO documentary titled Brandy Melville: The Cult of Fast Fashion, released in April 2024.

Eilish’s Health Struggles and Body Image

Billie Eilish has also spoken about her physical and mental health struggles in relation to her body image. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, she discussed being diagnosed with joint hypermobility syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes chronic pain due to the extreme flexibility of her joints.

Eilish shared how this condition exacerbated her negative feelings toward her body: “My teenage years were the time when I hated myself and all the stupid things about me, mostly because I was angry at my body. It caused so much pain, and I also had to deal with the losses due to what happened to it.”

Billie Eilish’s journey with body image is a complex one, shaped by external pressures and internal struggles. Her experience with Brandy Melville represents just one chapter of a larger story of how she has fought to embrace her body and define herself on her own terms. Through her openness about her challenges, Eilish continues to inspire many to confront their own insecurities and challenges with body image.