Billie Eilish responds to the 'wish you were gay' backlash

7 March 2019, 15:40

By Sam Prance

Billie Eilish discusses the 'wish you were gay' backlash in a new interview with PopBuzz.

Billie Eilish season is in full swing. The 17-year-old artist is currently gearing up to release her highly anticipated debut album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? (Mar 29) and it already looks set to be one of the biggest records of 2019.

This week (Mar 4) Billie released 'wish you were gay' as a teaser track from the album. The song is about being rejected by a guy and wishing they were gay to make the rejection feel less personal. For the most part, it's been well received by fans but a couple of people have taken issue with it. Some have accused Billie of gaybaiting because the song isn't about fancying women.

The story behind Billie Eilish's ‘wish you were gay' lyrics

Now Billie has addressed the 'wish you were gay' backlash in an interview with PopBuzz.

Discussing the song, Billie said: "First off I want to be so clear that it's so not supposed to be an insult. I feel like it's been a little bit misinterpreted. I tried so hard to not make it in any way offensive. The whole idea of the song is, it's kind of a joke. It's kind of like "I'm an ass and you don't love me. And you don't love me because you don't love me and that's the only reason and I wish you didn't love me because you didn't love girls."

She then added: "And it could be the opposite way. It could be a girl interested in a girl and maybe that girl likes girls also but she doesn't like her back. And then it's like 'Well damn. I wish you were straight!' You know what I'm saying, it could be exactly the other way. I wish you were straight because you didn't like me because you like boys."

Billie also said: "It's just supposed to be "I'm selfish and an ass". I don't wanna take my L so I'm just gonna pretend that you didn't just reject me." When asked about the boy, and if they are still friends, Billie said: "Yes. He's a sweetheart. I love him." and added: "He came out to me a couple months after I wrote that song which is kind of insane.".

Listen to 'wish you were gay' below.

Billie Eilish - wish you were gay (Audio)

Considering the title of the song, it's understandable why fans thought it might have been an LGBTQ+ anthem. However, it makes sense that it isn't; it relates directly to Billie's experience. Not only that but it isn't derogatory and, in many ways, it's refreshing to hear a popstar talk about sexuality in such a casual way.

Head back to PopBuzz's for the full interview with Billie Eilish soon.

What do you think? Are you a fan of the song?