Billie Eilish Responds to Criticism Over Alleged Dig at Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Billie Eilish responded to criticism from Taylor Swift fans who were upset with her for calling out the Anti-Hero popstar. The Bad Guy singer expressed her concerns about artists releasing multiple vinyl versions of their albums in different packaging without considering the harmful effects on the environment.

Eilish, who is 22 years old and known for being vocal about sustainability in the music industry, expressed her frustrations in an interview with Billboard on Thursday, March 28.

Although she didn't mention any artists specifically, fans of Taylor Swift, also known as Swifties, started to speculate that Eilish's comment was indirectly aimed at their favorite artist, who is 34 years old.

The Eras Tour star is now famous for not only releasing re-recorded versions of her early albums but also for putting out multiple slightly tweaked physical and digital versions of all her new studio recordings.

Swifties took to social media to support her and criticize Eilish for what one of them called "the shady diss of our queen". Some fans even highlighted Swift's higher album sales compared to Eilish's.

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish Karwai Tang/WireImage

Eilish responded to the backlash by addressing the situation on her Instagram Stories. She clarified that she was not singling anyone out and urged people to read her original Billboard interview. In her statement, she emphasized that the issues she discussed, particularly regarding sustainability, are widespread problems within the industry.

She admitted to also releasing different versions of albums to encourage fans to purchase multiple copies, but she was unsure if it was her own decision or that of the record label.

She mentioned that many artists, herself included, release variants, as stated in the article. She concluded by emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis and the importance of everyone taking responsibility to make positive changes.

Eilish expressed her frustration in a Billboard article about artists creating numerous vinyl packages just to increase sales. She finds it wasteful and annoying that artists prioritize profit and numbers over their art.

Oscar and Grammy winner contributed to the launch and funding of Reverb’s Music Decarbonization Project last year. The project's goal is to reduce carbon emissions produced by the music industry.

In her latest album, Happier Than Ever, released in 2021, Eilish used recycled black vinyl for the base album and recycled scraps for the colored variants. Additionally, she opted for shrink-wrap made from sugar cane to align with her commitment to sustainability.

The singer of "What Was I Made For?" shared her disappointment that other artists do not have the same dedication to the environment. She also mentioned her frustration with the excessive production of multiple vinyl versions of the same album, describing it as incredibly wasteful.

"It's frustrating to see people blatantly ignoring sustainability right in front of us. As someone who actively tries to be sustainable and involve my team in the same efforts, it really bothers me."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the ongoing debate surrounding sustainability in the music industry, with Billie Eilish expressing concerns about the excessive production of vinyl variants. While her comments did not explicitly name Taylor Swift, fans interpreted them as an indirect criticism of Swift's multiple album releases. Eilish clarified that she intended to address broader industry practices and emphasized the urgent need to prioritize environmental responsibility.

Eilish's stance as an advocate for sustainability is commendable. Her efforts to reduce her carbon footprint through initiatives like the Music Decarbonization Project demonstrate a commitment to minimizing the industry's impact on the planet. It is crucial for all artists and industry stakeholders to consider the environmental consequences of their practices and work towards more sustainable solutions. records involves substantial carbon emissions. Eilish's call for artists to prioritize sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials and reducing the number of physical releases, is a step in the right direction towards addressing these concerns.