Billie Eilish Has Apologized After Videos Of Her Being Problematic Resurfaced

This past week, Billie Eilish began facing backlash after clips allegedly showed her mouthing along to an anti-Asian slur in a song and imitating an Asian accent and using a Blaccent.

Billie performing on stage
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Live Nation

Here are the clips in question:

On Monday night, Billie took to her Instagram story to apologize and address the situation:

  David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images
David M. Benett / Dave Benett / Getty Images

“Many of you have been asking me to address this. This is something I WANT to address because I’m being labeled something that I am not,” Billie wrote.

  Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images
Cbs Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

"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 used against members of the Asian community. I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word," she continued.

  Rich Fury / Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Rich Fury / Getty Images for The Recording Academy

"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 that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry."

  Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Billie then went on to address claims that she was both speaking in a Blaccent and Asian accent. “Speaking in a silly gibberish made-up voice [is] something I started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends, and family," she wrote. "It is in no way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent, or culture in notes slightest. Anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life.”

  Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nurphoto / NurPhoto via Getty Images

“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.”

  Gareth Cattermole / Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
Gareth Cattermole / Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

“I not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity, and equality. We all need to continue having conversations, listening and learning.”

  Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for iHeartMedia

You can read Billie's statement in full here:

  @billieeilish / Via Instagram: @billieeilish
@billieeilish / Via Instagram: @billieeilish