There are two signature elements to Billie Eilish’s style: baggy, 90s-inspired clothes (see: her new clothing collab) and her outlandish hair colours (see: the fabled slime-green roots). So why would a magazine put her on the cover bald and shirtless? Well, Billie’s asking the same question.
The singer responded to a (now-deleted, but not before being screencapped) Instagram post showing the new Nylon Germany cover with the question on everyone’s lips: “what the fuck is this shit?”
“1. i was never approached by nylon about this piece whatsoever. i did not know it was happening nor did anyone on my team,” she went on, as reported by Stereogum. “2. this is not even a real picture of me. i had absolutely no creative input.”
“3. youre gonna make a picture of me shirtless?? thats not real?? at 17? and make it the cover???? even if the picture was supposed to look like some robot version of me … i did not consent in any way. 4. ANNNDDD YOU’RE GONNA REMOVE ALL MY FUCKIN HAIR? booooooooooo to you.”
Obviously, if Billie and her team knew nothing about this cover, it can be seen as a pretty flagrant violation of her privacy and the way she wants to present herself. She’s also opened up about body dysmorphia in the past, making the topic even more potentially touchy.
“For this cover, it was never our intention to create a look that is confusing or insulting to Billie Eilish,” Nylon Germany responded in an updated caption before the post disappeared.
“It was only ever our intention to honor Billie’s impact and her work by creating this avatar which is part of a cover series highlighting the power of digital prodigy artists. This avatar is a piece of 3D artwork created in dedication to her achievements and the positive effect she has had on millions around the globe – including us.”
Still, making her bald without consent? Very rude.