Billie Eilish is apologizing to fans after some old videos of her seemingly mouthing a racial slur recently resurfaced and went viral.
The clips, which were edited together, appeared to show a younger Billie singing along to Tyler, the Creator’s 2011 song “Fish,” where she mouthed a word from the song which is considered offensive.
The 19-year-old GRAMMY winner has since faced backlash online, with some even calling to boycott her after seeing the clip.
In a lengthy statement on her Instagram Story, Billie apologized and explained that, at the time she estimates she was “13 or 14” then – she didn’t know the word was offensive.
“i love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this. and this is something that i WANT to address because I’m being labeled something that i am not. there’s a video edit going around of me when i was 13 or 14 where i mouthed a word from a song that at the time i didn’t know was a derogatory term used against members of the asian community,” Billie wrote.
“i am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that i ever mouthed along to that word. this song was the only time I’d ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family. regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. and for that i am sorry,” she continued.
She then went on to address another clip, which she describes as her “speaking in a silly gibberish made up voice,” and is in no way meant to make fun of anyone.
“the other video in that edited clip is me speaking in a silly gibberish made up voice… something i started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends, and family. it is absolute gibberish and just me goofing around, and is in NO way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent, or culture in the SLIGHTEST,” Billie added. “anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life. regardless of how it was interpreted i did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others and it absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labeled now in a way that might cause pain to people hearing it.”
Concluding her message, Billie told fans, “i not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality we all need to continue having conversations, listening and learning. i hear you and i love you. thank you for taking the time to read this.”
