Eilish offers unfiltered look inside journey to stardom
From Billie Eilish's Facebook Page
For most teenagers, the age 13 undeniably involves living through the most awkward time of their lives, but for Billie Eilish it was when she became a sensation. In November of 2015, Eilish released her first single “Ocean Eyes'' on SoundCloud, launching her to popularity overnight. Since then, she has released a total of 27 singles, three EPs, and one studio album; all by the age of 19. But being a young celebrity comes with both positive and negative consequences, both of which are very apparent in Eilish’s Apple TV+ exclusive documentary. The World’s a Little Blurry brings to light the behind the scenes of Billie Eilish’s life to show the audience the reality of struggling with mental health issues and the other challenges that come with growing up in the limelight.
The film begins in the midst of Eilish’s Don’t Smile at Me Tour, celebrating the release of her 2017 EP. Along with touring, she was writing her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Between scenes of performances and of her and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, recording the album, the film also gives the viewers insight into other, more personal aspects of the young star’s life.
Between the desire to write and record what she wants and the pressure to create big hits, there has been a lot of stress that comes with being a musical artist. With this in mind, it’s understandable when Eilish shares that she hates songwriting. On multiple occasions, while recording or working on songs with O’Connell, she doesn’t attempt to hide this opinion.
Being in the spotlight with the judging eyes of fans and critics on her at all times seems to be pretty demanding. Nobody enjoys seeing their art, something that’s so personal and that takes hours of work, criticized and bashed, especially by thousands of strangers who have high expectations. Eilish, one of many artists who pours their heart and soul into their work, is no exception to this harsh reality.
Aside from the stress of being a celebrity with millions of eyes watching, Eilish also struggles with her mental health, as many people do. Although it’s quite obvious through her music, which often contains dark and depressing lyrics, the documentary gives fans more insight into her mind and her struggles. Eilish shares pages of her journal, covered in drawings and sad lyrics, and stories of her past struggles with self-harm and suicidal ideation. With the mental health epidemic among today’s teens, Eilish’s stories may help those struggling with similar issues to feel less alone and bring more awareness to the topic.
Mental health struggles aren’t the only personal topic covered; the film also features the formerly-secret relationship between Eilish and rapper Brandon “Q” Adams. The documentary covers snippets of their relationship, from the start to the end, and the challenges Eilish faced being a burgeoning, traveling artist trying to maintain a healthy relationship. Viewers will experience the sweet parts of their relationship, but also the drama and, eventually, the unavoidable heartbreak that comes with the end of a relationship.
Not only did Eilish find herself separated from her significant other often due to touring, but from friends as well. At many points, she expressed how difficult and lonely it was to go on tour, even though she had her family with her. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced the same feelings, stuck in their homes and isolated from the outside world. Though these scenarios aren’t exactly the same, the similar feelings evoked by these situations will help viewers empathize with Eilish instead of thinking she’s simply ungrateful for her fame, as some may believe.
Though Eilish admitted that the film was difficult for her to rewatch and she was afraid to share some of the aspects of her life that the film touches on, there are benefits that have come from her vulnerability. Some teens may watch an artist they admire experiencing similar struggles and realize they aren’t alone. Others may see the negative effects that attention has on celebrities and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for those in the public eye. There’s no shortage of important messages that can be taken from watching the film’s depiction of Eilish’s life.
It’s a raw, unfiltered look into the life of one of today’s most recognizable stars, and, at some instances, a story that unfortunately all too many of us can relate to.
Grade: A-
Aside from the important topics that the documentary touches on, The World’s a Little Blurry is overall an entertaining and emotional journey through Billie Eilish’s rise to fame.
By Caitlynn Gehl
Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue 6
March 25, 2021