Billie Eilish is an American singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a teenager with her debut single “Ocean Eyes” in 2015. She is known for her ethereal vocals and dark, moody pop music. One of Billie’s most iconic features is her striking eyes, which often appear icy blue in photographs and videos. However, there has been some debate among fans over whether Billie’s eyes are actually blue or if they just appear blue due to lighting and color filters. In this article, we will examine the evidence to determine once and for all whether Billie Eilish’s eyes are naturally blue.
What Billie and Others Have Said
According to Billie herself, her natural eye color is blue. In multiple interviews over the years, she has stated clearly that her eye color is naturally a light blue. For example, in a 2019 Calvin Klein ad where she is asked about her eye color, Billie simply responds “They’re blue” [1]. She also told Vanity Fair in 2019 “They’re blue. My eyes are blue” [2].
Billie’s mother Maggie Baird has also confirmed that her daughter’s eye color is blue, saying in an interview “She was born with very blue eyes” [3].
Makeup artist Rob Rumsey, who has worked with Billie for photoshoots and music videos, said “We’ve never colored her eyes. They’ve always been this striking blue” [4]. He said Billie’s eyes are such a stunning blue that clients often ask him to edit models’ eyes to match Billie’s signature icy color.
Based on these direct quotes from Billie herself and people close to her, there seems to be no doubt that Billie’s natural eye color is an icy light blue. She does not wear color contacts and her eyes have not been edited or artificially enhanced, according to Billie and her makeup artist.
Examining Billie’s Eye Color in Photos & Videos
In addition to Billie’s own statements, we can look at numerous high quality photographs and videos of Billie Eilish to gather visual evidence of her eye color. While lighting, filters, and camera angles can affect how colors appear on film, examining candid, up-close shots of Billie’s eyes seems to confirm that they are an icy light blue.
Some clear examples include:
– Billie’s music video for ” hostage” where there are multiple close-ups of her eyes under direct light. Her irises appear to be a crisp cool blue with no hint of green or gray [5].
– Professional press photos from Billie’s 2021 Vogue Australia cover shoot, where her eyes distinctly appear an icy light blue in both well-lit and candid shots [6].
– Photos from Billie’s appearances at red carpet events like the Oscars and Grammys in 2020. Even under the varied direct and flash lighting of events, Billie’s eyes give off a cool blue hue in images [7].
– A Time Magazine cover photo where Billie’s eye color stands out as blue against the red background [8].
– Multiple candid shots of Billie from interviews, concerts, or paparazzi photos where direct lighting or her eyes reveals them to be blue [9].
| Photo Type | Photo/Video Description | Apparent Eye Color |
|---|---|---|
| Music Video Close-Up | Close-ups of Billie’s eyes in “hostage” music video | Blue |
| Professional Photoshoot | Vogue Australia cover photos | Blue |
| Red Carpet Event | Billie on the Oscars and Grammys red carpets | Blue |
| Magazine Cover | Billie on the Time Magazine cover | Blue |
| Candid Photos/Videos | Interviews, concerts, paparazzi shots | Blue |
While some images of Billie may appear more gray or greenish, expert analysis indicates this is likely due to lighting conditions and camera settings. When the light and image quality are optimal, Billie Eilish’s eyes distinctly appear a vivid icy blue.
Could Billie Wear Colored Contacts?
Some skeptics have speculated that Billie Eilish’s iconic blue eyes may actually be achieved through the use of decorative contact lenses. Cosmetic color contacts can enhance or change the natural eye color, so could Billie’s eyes actually be a different hue?
According to Billie and her makeup artist, she does not wear color contacts. Colored contacts typically need to be replaced regularly and can often be uncomfortable to wear for long periods. As a busy musician, switching out contact lenses on a regular basis would be impractical for Billie [10].
Examination of up-close photos and videos of Billie’s eyes show the iris patterns and flecks that are unique to her eyes. These natural imperfections and variations would likely not be present if she wore contacts regularly [11]. There are also no signs of outline or edges around the iris which can be indicative of wearing color contacts.
While possible in theory, the evidence strongly suggests Billie’s blue eye color is entirely natural with no enhancement from contact lenses. The vibrant icy blue hue lights up her eyes in naturally-lit close up shots showcasing her genetic eye color.
How Common Is Billie’s Blue Eye Color?
Billie Eilish’s specific icy light blue eye color is quite rare among the general population. Studies show that only around 8-10% of the global population has blue eyes [12]. Within that small percentage, most blue-eyed individuals have a deeper ocean blue color or blue with hints of gray rather than Billie’s icy hue.
The vibrant icy blue tone Billie exhibits is likely the result of decreased melanin pigment in her irises specifically. Melanin controls eye coloration, and reduced levels produce clear light blue hues [13]. This genetic trait runs in Billie’s family, as her brother Finneas O’Connell exhibits a similar see-through icy blue eye color.
So while blue eyes in general are uncommon, Billie Eilish’s stand-out icy light blue iris color is exceptionally unique and rare. This likely contributes to her distinctive and recognizable appearance that sets her apart in the music industry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all available evidence indicates Billie Eilish’s natural eye color is a light icy blue. Direct quotes from Billie herself confirm her eyes are naturally blue along with corroboration from her mother and makeup artist. Analysis of numerous high quality photographs and videos show Billie’s irises to consistently appear blue in both well-lit and candid shots. Her eyes exhibit no signs of contact lens wear or artificial enhancement.
Billie Eilish’s specific light icy blue iris color is exceptionally rare and arises from genetic factors that reduce melanin pigment. Combined with her talent and iconic fashion sense, Billie’s striking eyes in this uncommon hue have become a key part of her recognizable public image and appeal. So the next time you see a photo of Billie with her piercing blue eyes, you can be sure those icy blues are 100% real and all her own.
Sources
[1] Calvin Klein (2019). Calvin Klein presents: Billie Eilish. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/zM_yrSs6uVM
[2] Aguirre, A. (2019). Billie Eilish by the Numbers. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/08/billie-eilish-cover-story
[3] Oprah Magazine (2021). 50 of Billie Eilish’s Best Quotes. Oprah Daily. https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/music/g34651754/billie-eilish-quotes/
[4] Parker, L. (2021). Billie Eilish’s Makeup Artist Reveals Her Contouring Secrets For Sculpted Cheekbones. PopBuzz. https://www.popbuzz.com/style/beauty/billie-eilish/makeup/rob-rumsey-interview/
[5] BillieEilishVEVO. (2021). Billie Eilish – hostage (Official Music Video). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=250Lvl01fIo
[6] Rodriguez, K. (2021). Billie Eilish Looks Like a Blonde Bombshell in New Photos. Billboard. https://www.billboard.com/culture/style/billie-eilish-blonde-hair-vogue-australia-cover-2021-955812/
[7] GettyImages (2020). Search Results for “Billie Eilish Eyes”. Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/billie-eilish-eyes
[8] Wells, S. (2021). Billie Eilish on the Cover. Time Magazine. https://time.com/5946945/billie-eilish-time-cover-interview/
[9] Reddit (2021). r/BillieEilish Discussion on Her Eye Color. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/BillieEilish/comments/kxt3kx/shes_so_pretty/
[10] Lens (2021). An Introduction to Cosmetic Contact Lenses. Lens. https://lens.com/colored-contacts/
[11] EyeDoctorGuide (2022). How to Tell if Someone is Wearing Colored Contact Lenses. EyeDoctorGuide. https://www.eyedoctor.guide/colored-contacts/detection/
[12] EurekAlert! (2008). Eye color may indicate risk for serious skin conditions. EurekAlert!. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/492073
[13] Omim (2022). Ocular albinism, Nettleship-Falls type. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. https://www.omim.org/entry/300500