Billie Eilish has been accused of subtly criticizing Taylor Swift amid their competition for the top spot on the Billboard album chart following their recent releases.
Though the two have previously expressed admiration for each other, some social media users now believe they are feuding. This speculation arose after Eilish called three-hour concerts “psychotic” in a recent interview. Speaking on Stationhead after releasing her new album, Нit Me Hard and Soft, Eilish, 22, criticized lengthy shows, saying, “Nobody wants that. You guys don’t want that. I don’t want that. I don’t even want that as a fan.” She added that even her favorite artist wouldn’t hold her interest for three hours.
Swift’s fans, known as Swifties, quickly defended the 14-time Grammy winner, whose Eras Tour features three-hour-plus performances. Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour, similarly, ranged from two and a half to three hours.
Interestingly, just last year, Eilish had praised both Swift and Beyoncé for their lengthy performances, calling them “filled with so many incredible moments” for their fans. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, she described Swift as an “untouchable superstar.”
Eilish’s comments follow her criticism of artists releasing multiple vinyl editions of their albums, which she called wasteful. Though she didn’t nаme Swift directly, many fans saw it as a jab at Swift, who has released numerous vinyl versions. Eilish reiterated her stance in a Billboard interview in March, denouncing the practice for its environmental impact.
Despite her critiques, Eilish’s album Happier Than Ever had eight vinyl variations, but she noted they were made from recycled materials. She emphasized her frustration with artists prioritizing sales over sustainability.
After facing backlash, Eilish clarified on Instagram that she wasn’t targeting anyone specifically and highlighted that these are industry-wide issues.
Swifties also noticed that Eilish’s manager, Danny Rukasin, allegedly liked then unliked tweets criticizing Swift, which further fueled the feud rumors. One tweet claimed Swift tried to overshadow other artists, citing instances like releasing her catalogue on Spotify the same day Katy Perry released her album and dropping new versions of her album on the same day as Eilish’s release.
Eilish also faced criticism from Swifties for saying her previous album, Happier Than Ever, had too many songs, a comment some perceived as a dig at Swift’s latest album, which has 31 tracks. Additionally, Eilish sending a promo package for her new album to Kim Kardashian, Swift’s long-time rival, added to the speculation.
Swift has not publicly responded to any of Eilish’s comments but has previously supported Eilish’s career. In 2019, Swift presented Eilish with the Woman of the Year Award at Billboard’s Womеn In Music event, praising her as a transformative figure for female artists in the music industry. Eilish thanked Swift for her kind words and contributions to the industry during her acceptance speech.
