Billie Eilish Embraces Her Solo Tour and Closes the Door on Public Scrutiny

Billie Eilish at the premiere of “Barbie” in Los Angeles on July 9, 2023 ©BelgaImage

Billie Eilish is entering a new phase in her life and career, embracing her independence as she embarks on a solo tour without her family. Known for her candidness, the singer recently shared that past tours brought “dark times” and feelings of loneliness. 

Now, she’s ready to make the experience more enjoyable and to keep certain parts of her personal life out of the public eye, including her sexuality and relationships.

Reflecting on her past tours, Eilish admitted that she often felt like touring was temporary—a means to an end. “I’ve had some really dark times on tour. For a long time I was kind of living like it was temporary,” she shared.

 Now, as she sets out on her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour, Eilish is determined to savor every moment, even as she embraces being away from her family for the first time.

In the past, Eilish’s family has been a significant presence on her tours, with her brother and collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, playing guitar and their parents joining them on the road. 

This time, however, it’s different. Her mother, Maggie Baird, humorously compared it to Eilish’s “going off to college year,” as it marks a departure from the family-oriented touring setup they had before.

While Finneas will join her on select dates, he’s also focused on promoting his solo album. Eilish noted that this change brings mixed feelings. “I spend all of my time on tour and in rehearsals like ‘Oh my God, Finneas wants to leave’ or ‘Finneas is unhappy,’” she told People.

Now, she has to find joy and satisfaction on stage without constantly worrying about her family’s well-being.

Billie Eilish (Invision)

Eilish also took the opportunity to address her decision to stop discussing her sexuality publicly. Last year, she felt pressured to “come out” as queer and later regretted being so open. In a conversation with Variety, she mentioned her attraction to women, but in her recent Vogue interview, she reflected on the consequences of sharing that part of herself with the world.

“I wish no one knew anything about my sexuality or anything about my dating life,” she said, emphasizing that from now on, she plans to keep her personal life private.

“I’m never talking about my sexuality ever again. And I’m never talking about who I’m dating ever again.” For Eilish, the intense scrutiny surrounding her private life has made it difficult to navigate her identity as freely as others her age.

As a young artist in the spotlight, Eilish has had to come to terms with the fact that every word she says can be magnified by the media. “We’re all babies,” she remarked, explaining that young people like herself are still learning about who they are.

She’s found it challenging to live her life under a microscope while figuring out who she wants to be.

Reflecting on her experience of “coming out,” she expressed frustration with the concept, asking why it’s necessary for people to label themselves publicly. “Why can’t we just exist?” she questioned, hinting at her desire to move beyond societal expectations.

Eilish acknowledged that while she’s glad some fans were able to connect with her openness, she wishes she could explore her identity more privately.

Billie Eilish for Vogue. Photo: Mikael Jansson/Vogue

Eilish is also reconnecting with her love for music in a way that feels more organic. For the first time, she’s allowing herself to play and create without the pressure of producing a hit. “I didn’t realize that I could make touring enjoyable,” she said. Recently, she’s started to jam just for fun, a welcome change from the highly structured process she experienced as a teenager.

Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft  tour is not just a new chapter in her career—it’s a chance for her to reclaim her love of performing and redefine her relationship with the music. She’s ready to let go of the pressures that once weighed her down and focus on enjoying both the shows and the days in between.

By setting boundaries around her personal life and embracing her independence, Billie Eilish is charting a path that reflects her growth as an artist and a person. Her decision to keep her private life private speaks to her desire for control over her narrative, while her excitement for this new tour signals a more enjoyable and fulfilling journey ahead. 

Fans can look forward to seeing a more liberated Billie Eilish on stage, as she takes this opportunity to fully embrace her artistry without the constraints of past expectations.