Billie Eilish Says She No Longer Reads Social Media Comments Amid Bullying Trolls: ‘It Was Ruining My Life’

Billie Eilish told BBC on Tuesday, ahead of her appearance at the BRIT Awards in London, that she no longer reads her Instagram comments due to the hateful comments being left on her post. Eilish has been the subject of heavy scrutiny after she became the youngest person to win the four main categories at the Grammys.

“It was ruining my life,” the 18-year-old Grammy winner revealed to BBC reporter Louise Minchin. “I stopped two days ago. Literally, two days ago. I stopped reading comments fully.” She explained further later in the interview, saying, ”It’s insane that I have even been reading comments up until this point. I should have stopped long ago. The problem is, I’ve always wanted to stay in touch with the fans and keep talking to them — people have ruined that for me. And for them. They’ve ruined it for them, and that sucks.”

This latest revelation follows last month’s call for fans to stop dressing as her in public and tricking bystanders into believing they were the singer.

“Please stop doing this s—. It is not safe for you, and it is mean to the people who don’t know any better. You make me look bad.” Eilish wrote on social media.

As she continued in the interview, she said, “It’s a bunch of trolls. And the problem is a lot of it is really funny. I think that’s the issue. That’s why nobody really stops: because it’s funny. Also, I would say it’s anything for a joke. Say anything to make somebody laugh. I experienced that growing up: I’d say things that I thought people would laugh at, and then later, I would realize that wasn’t a cool thing to say.”

Justin Bieber came to the defense of his female predecessor over the weekend on Zane Lowe’s on Beats 1.

“Let her do her thing, and if she ever needs me, I’m gonna be here for her. I don’t want her to lose it. I don’t want her to go through anything I went through. I don’t wish that upon anybody. If she ever needs me, I’m just a call away.”