How well do you know Billie Eilish?
She released her first song as a teenager and won two Oscars before turning 23. These six questions follow Billie Eilish's rise, from a bedroom studio to the world's biggest stages.
Did you know?
- In 2022 Billie Eilish organised Overheated, a series of climate events at London's O2 Arena that ran alongside her concerts there. It included talks with scientists and activists, a sustainable fashion market and a documentary screening, aimed at making climate action feel practical and approachable.
- 'No Time to Die' was recorded while the film's release was being delayed, and Billie Eilish performed it live for the first time at the Brit Awards in 2020, with Hans Zimmer and Johnny Marr joining her on stage. The song reached number one in the United Kingdom.
- Finneas is a successful artist in his own right, releasing solo albums and producing songs for other musicians. The siblings share several Grammys and both Oscars, and they are among the few brother-and-sister songwriting teams to win so many major awards together.
A career built at home
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell was born in Los Angeles in 2001 into a family of actors and musicians. She and Finneas were home-schooled, which gave them time to write songs, and she sang with the Los Angeles Children's Chorus from about the age of eight. Her music mixes whispered vocals, pop hooks, electronic beats and dark humour, and her success showed that a teenager recording at home could compete with major studio productions around the world.
The bedroom studio
The siblings' working method became part of their story. Finneas's bedroom held a desk, a computer, a microphone and not much else, and some songs used everyday sounds, such as the whine of a dentist's drill, recorded on a phone. Because they worked alone, they could spend days on small details of a vocal. After their early success, they continued to write in similar small spaces rather than moving into large, expensive recording studios.
Records and awards
Her 2020 Grammy sweep made headlines worldwide, but it was only the start. She went on to win further Grammys for later songs, and her work for films brought her two Oscars before the age of 23. She has also performed at many of the world's largest festivals, including headlining Glastonbury and Coachella in 2022. Her concerts are known for huge singalongs, with fans often knowing every word of songs that were never released as singles.
Music with a message
Billie Eilish uses her platform for causes she cares about, especially climate change. Her tours have included measures such as refill stations for water bottles, reducing single-use plastic, and inviting local climate groups to set up stalls at concerts. She was raised vegetarian and later became vegan. In interviews she has spoken openly about pressures of fame and mental health, encouraging young fans to talk about their feelings and ask for help.