Billie Eilish Apologizes Amid Backlash Over Resurfaced Video Involving Racial Slur

After footage resurfaced online that includes racist language, Billie Eilish posted an apology on June 21 for her "hurtful" actions.

Watch: Billie Eilish’s Rumored Boyfriend Apologizes for “Offensive” Posts

Billie Eilish is addressing backlash over a TikTok post that appears to feature resurfaced video of the star.

The 19-year-old singer took to her Instagram Story on Monday, June 21 to apologize for footage that seemingly shows the star singing along to a song that includes a racial slur, in addition to speaking in a stylized voice that has been perceived as mocking people of Asian descent. According to media reports, the song featured in the footage is “Fish” by Tyler, The Creator, from the rapper’s 2011 album, Goblin. 

“i love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this,” Billie wrote. “and this is something that i WANT to address because i’m being labeled something that I am not.”

She continued, “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 and used against members of the asian community. 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.”

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E! News previously reached out to Billie’s team about the criticism of the video and has not heard back.

Billie also addressed the stylized voice she was using in another portion of the video. She said, “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. anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life.”

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The “Your Power” vocalist went on to say that “it absolutely breaks my heart” that her actions might have caused pain to anyone. 

“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,” she shared. “i not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality.”

Billie concluded her message by saying we all need to continue “listening and learning.” She added, “I hear you and I love you.” 

This follows the star’s rumored boyfriend, Matthew Tyler Vorce, sharing to his Instagram Story on Wednesday, June 16 that he was “ashamed” and “deeply sorry” for allegedly using offensive language in multiple resurfaced social media posts.  

Billie Eilish’s Rumored Boyfriend Matthew Tyler Vorce Apologizes for “Offensive” Resurfaced Posts

After a series of alleged posts resurfaced online, Billie Eilish's rumored boyfriend, Matthew Tyler Vorce, has publicly apologized, calling his language “hurtful and irresponsible.”

Watch: Billie Eilish’s Rumored Boyfriend Apologizes for “Offensive” Posts

Billie Eilish‘s rumored boyfriend, Matthew Tyler Vorce, is apologizing for allegedly using offensive language in numerous resurfaced social media posts.  
 
On Wednesday, June 16, the 29-year-old actor addressed the matter in a statement shared to his Instagram Story. Vorce said he was “ashamed” and “deeply sorry” for his past comments.
 
“I want to apologize for the things that I wrote on social media in the past,” he wrote. “The language I used was hurtful and irresponsible and I understand how offensive those words are. Whether it was a lyric, a quote, or just me being dumb, it does not matter. I am ashamed and deeply sorry that I used them in any context.”
 
The apology follows a series of alleged tweets and Facebook posts written by Vorce in 2011 and 2012. Vorce is accused of using the N-word, as well as making offensive statements about the Asian and LGTBQ+ community. E! News has not independently verified the authenticity of the resurfaced posts.

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“It is not how I was raised and it is not what I stand for,” the actor also wrote in his apology. “I shouldn’t have used this language in the first place and I won’t use it again. I am so sorry for the hurt I have caused.”

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Vorce’s statement concluded, “I take full responsibility and continue to hold myself accountable for my actions.”

The actor was first linked to the Grammy winning singer when the two were photographed together back in April.

Although neither party has publicly commented on their relationship status, the recent sighting was enough to have most fans draw the conclusion of a blossoming romance between the two.
 
As far as when it comes to the 19-year-old singer herself, she has yet to publicly address Matthew’s comments.

Billie Eilish Avoids Wardrobe Malfunction in Sassy BehindtheScenes Moment From "Lost Cause" Music Video

Billie Eilish took her TikTok followers behind the scenes of her "Lost Cause" music video, in which she and dancers have their own pajama party.

Watch: Billie Eilish Ushers a New Era in “Lost Cause” Music Video

Billie Eilish is showing her followers what it’s like to dance and sing while wearing nothing but silk pajamas, and it doesn’t look easy.

In new behind-the-scenes footage from her “Lost Cause” music video, the 19-year-old artist shows how she and her backup dancers had to go from kneeling on the floor to standing to jumping around, all while keeping your top securely in place. Sure, it sounds easy, but doing it with composure and grace is definitely not. 

As Billie stood up in the video, a caption reads, “t-tties was falling out.”

Indeed, Billie’s chest was at risk of exposure as she and her backup group were twerking and moving with the music, but the teen smartly used a few emojis to cover up. It also helped that she had an oversized brown puffer jacket to pull on during the riskier moves. 

Of course, none of this was included in the actual music video, where she and friends dance to the song in loungewear as they have the ultimate sleepover.

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If viewers found themselves transported back to their teenage days, when all one did is eat junk food and mess around with friends, there’s a reason. The 19-year-old Grammy winner self-directed the entire video. 

She wrote on Instagram, “We had the time of our lives being hot & shooting this heeheeeeeehee. ENJOY LOL.”

In a separate post, she added that the music video is by far one of her “favorites,” and it’s not hard to see why.

Her sophomore album Happier Than Ever hasn’t even come out yet and it’s clear this is a swift departure from her previous work. 

For the 2019 album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go, the teen went for a noticeably darker look with black outfits and neon green highlights. But the L.A. native dyed her hair platinum blonde after attending the 2021 Grammys and is now wearing softer hues like beige and blue. 

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She unveiled the transformation for British Vogue‘s June issue, where she covered the magazine in pin-up attire. Billie admitted to the magazine, “I’ve literally never done anything in this realm at all. Y’know, besides when I’m alone and s–t.”

She added that she previously covered up because of insecurities, but now she wants to embrace her femininity in a way she didn’t feel comfortable before.

“Suddenly you’re a hypocrite if you want to show your skin, and you’re easy and you’re a slut and you’re a whore. If I am, then I’m proud,” she stated. “Me and all the girls are hoes, and f–k it, y’know? Let’s turn it around and be empowered in that. Showing your body and showing your skin—or not—should not take any respect away from you.”