Grammy winner Billie Eilish opens up about thoughts of suicide

Billie Eilish, 18, is the youngest artist to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and she broke records at the 2020 Grammy Awards by winning five awards in total, including in all “big-four” categories of awards: Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Album of the Year, and Record of the Year.

Standing alongside Eilish in her acceptance speech for Song of the Year, Eilish’s brother and producer Finneas O’Connell said, “We didn’t make this album to win a Grammy… we wrote an album about depression and suicidal thoughts and climate change… so we stand up here confused and grateful.”

Recently, Eilish opened up about having suicidal thoughts, and described how she felt isolated and lonely after her quick rise to fame.

In an interview with Gayle King The Gayle King Grammy Special which aired yesterday, Eilish says, “I was so unhappy last year…” (explaining how her quick skyrocket to fame left her feeling isolated and lonely, which fueled her depression). “I was so unhappy, and I was so, like, joyless…. I don’t want to be dark, but I genuinely didn’t think I would make it to 17.”

Eilish also credits her family for helping her through depression. She says she has learned to balance her passion for music and touring with a need for rest.

She describes how her experiences have helped her support fans who are going through similar issues: “I just grab [the fans] by the shoulders and I’m like, ‘Please take care of yourself and be good to yourself and be nice to yourself,’” she said. “‘Don’t take that extra step and hurt yourself further,’” Eilish told Gayle King.