Billie Eilish lost 100,000 Instagram followers after provocative post — Here's what happened
Grammy-winning artist Billie Eilish is no stranger to public scrutiny, but even she was caught off guard when a single Instagram Story led to the loss of over 100,000 followers. The incident, which occurred during the viral “post a picture” challenge in 2020, highlighted the stark double standards that persist in how society perceives women—and their bodies.
'Billie Eilish.'
billieeilish/Instagram
billieeilish/Instagram
billieeilish/Instagram
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During the challenge, Eilish responded to a fan’s prompt by sharing a photo of her phone lock screen, which featured two topless women. She followed up with a drawing of nude female forms, playfully captioned, “these probably lol I love boobs.” The post, while lighthearted, caused a swift backlash. Her follower count dipped from 73 million to 72.9 million within hours.
One fan commented on the mass unfollowing with a mix of shock and humor: “BYE NOT HER LOSING 100K CUZ OF BOOBS.” But instead of issuing a retraction or apology, Eilish embraced the moment with a tongue-in-cheek clapback, reposting the comment on her Stories with a simple, “LMFAOOO y’all babies smh.”
The controversy was not an isolated incident. In 2021, Eilish faced similar backlash after debuting a dramatically new image on the cover of British Vogue. Swapping her trademark neon hair and baggy attire for a corset and form-fitting outfits, she saw another wave of unfollows. The transformation challenged fans’ perceptions of the pop star—some of whom were unwilling to accept her evolving identity.
In an interview with Elle USA, Eilish acknowledged the reaction: “People hold on to these memories and have an attachment. But it’s very dehumanising.” She candidly addressed the fallout, stating, “I lost 100,000 followers just because of the boobs. People are scared of big boobs.”
More than a commentary on her own experience, Eilish used the moment to spotlight a broader cultural issue: the gendered double standard in body acceptance. “Nobody ever says a thing about men’s bodies,” she said. “If you’re muscular, cool. If you’re not, cool… If you have a dad bod, cool. If you’re pudgy, love it! Everybody’s happy with it.”
The difference, according to Eilish, lies in how women view one another: “You know why? Because girls are nice. They don’t give a f**k because we see people for who they are.”
Eilish’s unapologetic stance and willingness to challenge expectations continue to redefine what it means to be a pop icon in the modern age. Her message is clear: women should be free to express themselves—boobs and all—without fear of judgment or backlash.
