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Billie Eilish's Obsession with Brandy Melville Led to Body Issues

2024-12-06

Billie Eilish, the renowned 22-year-old musician, is opening up about a significant aspect of her life - how a famous clothing brand, Brandy Melville, had a profound impact on her relationship with her weight and self-image. In a cover story interview with Complex on Thursday, Dec. 5, she shared her first-hand experiences and emotions.

Billie Eilish's Fashion Journey and Body Struggles

Early Years and Love for Big Dresses

When Billie Eilish was a little girl, she had a distinct preference for big dresses. All she wore were fairy dresses and skirts; pants and shorts were a rarity. This love for flowy garments showcased her unique sense of style even at a young age.However, at around 11 years old, everything changed. She became obsessed with Brandy Melville, a brand that sold only one size. Eilish, who was chubbier and had developed early with boobs at 9, found herself longing for these clothes that didn't fit her. This marked the beginning of her body problems, as she struggled to fit into the brand's limited sizing.

Impact on Self-Image during Career

As her career took off and she became famous, Eilish found herself in a particular box. People started to associate her only with baggy clothes and saw her as not being a traditional woman or girl, and not being desirable. At 16, she felt the pressure and decided to take things to an extreme. She began dressing in a hyper-feminine style, wearing skirts, dresses, bras, and lingerie.She did this to prove a point. "I couldn't just wear a skirt once. I had to completely reverse everything and be this girly girl for a second and have these pink nails, blonde hair," she said. It was a way for her to show that she could do whatever she wanted and not be defined by others' opinions.

Dealing with Public Perception and Criticism

The public's perception of Eilish and the comments about her body and style have taken a toll on her. In an interview with British Vogue last year, she admitted that the "constant criticism" still affects her. But she also realized that it could have been worse if she had received these comments as a younger child."I like myself more than I used to, and I'm more interested in how I feel than how they feel," she said. Despite the pain, she has learned to deal with it and move forward, using her experiences to grow and become stronger.Billie Eilish's story is a powerful reminder of the influence that fashion can have on one's self-esteem and the importance of staying true to oneself in the face of external pressures.

Mama June Shannon's story of reaching out to her late daughter, Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell, even in the face of no response, is a poignant one. This one-year anniversary of Cardwell's death has brought forth a flood of emotions and memories.

Mama June's Unwavering Love for Her Lost Daughter

Remembering Anna: The Emotional Tribute

It has been a year since Anna Marie Cardwell's passing, and the pain still lingers. Mama June Shannon, at 45 years old, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook. She expressed how much they miss her and the longing to just have a simple conversation with her. "It will be a year on Monday and we miss the hell out of Anna Marie Cardwell and would give my last penny to just talk to her and [for] her [to] be here for her girls," she began. The random times when grief hurts serve as a reminder of the depth of their loss.

The Struggle with Grief

Shannon revealed that she has had no control over her emotions. The anger and tears that come with the loss are overwhelming. Losing Cardwell has been more difficult than any other family member's passing. Living in the house where Anna passed is a constant reminder, not only for her but for the whole family. Yet, they have kept their promise to take her everywhere with them, as she wanted. Her memory lives on, and they will always cherish it.

Anna's Presence in Their Lives

Cardwell is still very much a part of their lives. She is in the family group chat and on Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird's car radio. Shannon said, "[I] just can't and won't delete any text and won't ever take her out the chat, so sorry [to] who gets her number one day, u better not remove your self [sic]." This shows the lasting impact she has on their lives.In January 2023, Cardwell was diagnosed with stage four adrenal carcinoma. Despite a tough fight for 10 months, she passed away at home on December 9, 2023, at the age of 29. Shannon announced the news in an Instagram post, writing, "With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us. She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM. She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months she passed away with her family around her like she won't and we will will [sic] be updating y'all with more information as we get it today." She was surrounded by her sisters and husband during her final moments.This story serves as a reminder of the power of love and the enduring connections we have with our loved ones, even in death.

Apple Martin, the first child of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, found herself at the center of a viral video frenzy following her debutante ball appearance. The event, held at the Hotel Shangri-La in Paris on Saturday, November 30, introduced a select group of young women between 16 and 22 into high society.

Apple Martin's Debutante Ball: A Tale of Criticism and Defense

Controversy Surrounding Apple Martin

After the event, a video of Apple Martin and fellow debutante Aliénor Loppin de Montmort posted on TikTok sparked conversations about Apple's behavior. In the video, Loppin de Montmort posed for her photo, and then Apple jokingly stepped in and confidently posed for the various cameras. Social media users quickly labeled her as a "mean girl," but Loppin de Montmort came to her defense."[Apple’s] genuinely the nicest girl ever! She really doesn’t deserve an ounce of what she’s getting," Loppin de Montmort said. "She was the nicest girl ever towards not only me but all the debs!"

Apple Martin's Fashion at the Debutante Ball

Apple made a stunning fashion statement at the event, wearing a custom Valentino gown. Vogue reports that it took Valentino Creative Director Alessandro Michele's atelier 750 hours to make this strapless blue piece, which was fashioned in six dégradé tiers of silk plissé chiffon and cinched at the waist with a black silk bow. She paired it with matching blue Valentino sandals.This was a significant moment as Apple became the first Le Bal attendee to wear a custom Michele gown. Along with her, her parents and brother also wore Valentino outfits. Chris, 47, and Moses donned custom Valentino tuxedos, while Gwyneth, 52, wore a black gown from Valentino's spring 2025 collection. It featured a sheer overlay and delicate white polka dots, with long sleeves, a skirt, and a high neck covered in ruffles that complemented Apple's ruffled dress and black bow detail.Gwyneth shared her maternal pride by posting color and black-and-white photos of Apple in Michele's creation on her Instagram Stories. "My beautiful daughter in @maisonvalentino," she wrote. On December 2, she also posted an Instagram carousel, including videos and photos of Apple, Moses, Chris, and her mother, actress Blythe Danner, at the November 30 event. "A special long weekend in Paris," she captioned the post.Apple Martin's debutante ball experience was not without its share of criticism and praise. Her fashion choice and behavior during the event became topics of discussion, but her fellow debutante's defense and her family's support showed a different side of her. This event marked a significant moment in Apple's life and showcased her style and grace.