Billie Eilish on Her Sexuality: “Didn’t Realise People Didn’t Know”

When Billie Eilish spoke openly about being attracted to women in late 2023, she thought she was stating the obvious. The then-21-year-old pop phenomenon told Variety in December, “I love them so much. I love them as people. I’m attracted to them as people. I’m attracted to them for real.” It was a candid, unguarded moment from an artist known for blending vulnerability with sharp wit.

The public reaction, however, surprised her. “I kind of thought, ‘Wasn’t it obvious?’ I didn’t realize people didn’t know,” she said in the same interview. Eilish had assumed her music, public persona, and interactions with fans had already made it clear. Instead, the comment became a headline—and for some, a revelation.

A Surge of Attention

Media outlets and fans dissected her words, with discussions stretching across social platforms. A November 2023 Reddit post reflected the divide: “What’s crazy is even after she blatantly said she’s attracted to women I still saw people saying it means nothing and she’s probably straight.” The speculation underscored the persistent tension between public curiosity and personal privacy for global celebrities.

In an April 2024 Rolling Stone profile, Eilish expanded on her feelings: “I’ve been in love with girls for my whole life, but I just didn’t understand—until last year.” But by the time she appeared on the cover of Vogue in November 2024, her tone had shifted.

From Openness to Privacy

“I wish no one knew anything about my sexuality or anything about my dating life. Ever, ever, ever,” she told Vogue. “I’m never talking about my sexuality ever again.” She emphasized that she never intended to “come out” formally, believing fans had already picked up on her attractions.

The pivot reflected her growing discomfort with the intense scrutiny that followed her initial comments—especially during the heightened visibility of awards season. What had felt like an offhand, authentic remark had quickly snowballed into an international talking point.

Dating Life in the Background

Eilish’s romantic history—publicly linked to Matthew Tyler Vorce from 2021 to 2022 and The Neighbourhood frontman Jesse Rutherford for eight months before their May 2023 split—has also been a magnet for headlines. But since late 2024, she has kept her dating life firmly out of the spotlight.

A Case Study in Celebrity Disclosure

As of mid-2025, Eilish has remained true to her decision not to discuss her sexuality publicly. Her experience speaks to a larger reality for public figures: personal revelations, no matter how casually made, can take on a life of their own in the media ecosystem. For Eilish, it’s a reminder of the delicate balance between authenticity and privacy—a balance she now guards closely.

“I thought everyone knew,” she told Variety in 2023. In hindsight, it was less a revelation about her sexuality than it was about the disconnect between what artists feel is apparent and what the world insists on hearing them say out loud.