“Not My Responsibility”: Billie Eilish’s Stark Rejection of Body Shaming and the Burden of Perception

In a career marked by innovation and introspection, Billie Eilish’s short film Not My Responsibility stands out as one of her most personal and powerful artistic statements. Released in 2020 during her Where Do We Go? World Tour and later included as an audio track on her Grammy-nominated album Happier Than Ever, the four-minute piece is more than an interlude—it’s a direct confrontation with the culture that has scrutinized her body since she was a teenager.

Set in a dimly lit space and unfolding through a slow, deliberate undressing, the film begins with Eilish in her signature oversized clothing. As she speaks, she removes layers of clothing—not for performance, but to expose the vulnerability of existing as a young woman in the public eye. “Do you know me? Really know me?” she asks, challenging the illusion of public familiarity and control. By the end, she submerges herself into a thick black liquid, emerging transformed, coated in a symbolic armor of defiance.

Eilish’s spoken-word monologue walks the line between introspection and accusation. “If I wear what is comfortable, I am not a woman. If I shed the layers, I’m a slut,” she says, calling out the impossible double standards imposed on women’s bodies. The film’s closing question—“Is my value based only on your perception? Or is your opinion of me not my responsibility?”—serves as both a personal assertion and a universal challenge.

When Not My Responsibility premiered on YouTube in May 2020, it instantly resonated, trending worldwide and sparking widespread media attention. Its themes were praised as a bold indictment of body shaming and a rallying cry for body autonomy. Critics from Pitchfork and Rolling Stone recognized it as a thematic centerpiece of Happier Than Ever, although some noted its emotional potency was more impactful when paired with the visuals.

Importantly, this wasn’t a departure from Eilish’s ethos—it was a continuation. Her decision to wear baggy clothes from the beginning of her career was not a fashion statement, but a form of protection. In a 2019 Calvin Klein campaign, she admitted: “Nobody can have an opinion because they haven’t seen what’s underneath.” Not My Responsibility removed that barrier—not for validation, but to underscore that even vulnerability should not invite judgment.

The film also brought attention to how society consumes celebrity women, especially young ones, often assigning worth based on body type and clothing choices. Eilish’s commentary joins a broader cultural conversation about gender, power, and media expectations—issues that remain pressing today.

As of 2025, Not My Responsibility remains a defining piece of Eilish’s creative legacy. It’s taught in gender studies courses, referenced in think pieces, and continues to shape the way fans and critics discuss fame and femininity. Even without recent updates to the film, its message endures, proving that sometimes the most powerful art doesn’t shout—but stares directly back and refuses to flinch.

For Billie Eilish, the takeaway is clear: your perception of her is not her responsibility. And in making that truth loud and visible, she gave voice to countless others tired of being measured by someone else’s tape.