Billie Eilish Reacts to Backlash After Comments About Artists Releasing "Wasteful" Vinyls

Billie Eilish isn't trying to make anyone out to be a bad guy.

In fact, the nine-time Grammy winner was speaking generally about the music business when she recently pointed out how "wasteful" it is for artists to sell different packaging and vinyl pressings of the same album.

"I wasn't singling anyone out, these are industrywide systemic issues," she wrote on Instagram Stories March 31, amid online speculation that she was throwing shade at her fellow singers. "& when it comes to variants, so many artists release them—including ME!"

Billie continued, "the climate crisis is now and its about all of us being part of the problem and trying to do better."

In her post, the 22-year-old also urged people to "stop putting words in my mouth and actually read what i said" about sustainability the original article where her now-viral comments came from. 

Billie added, "sheesh."

The "What Was I Made For?" artist previously called out the common industry practice of releasing variants of the same album to increase sales in joint interview with her mom Maggie Baird about eco-friendly initiatives. "We live in this day and age where, for some reason, it's very important to some artists to make all sorts of different vinyl and packaging," she told Billboard. "I can't even express to you how wasteful it is."

She continued, "It is right in front of our faces and people are just getting away with it left and right, and I find it really frustrating as somebody who really goes out of my way to be sustainable and do the best that I can and try to involve everybody in my team in being sustainable—and then it's some of the biggest artists in the world making f--king 40 different vinyl packages that have a different unique thing just to get you to keep buying more."

At the time, Billie called the trend "irritating" but acknowledged that many artists—including herself—release variants to keep up with industry standard. However, she noted that she is more mindful of creating merchandise these days, including making sure that her clothes are "being made well and ethically and with good materials."

"It's going to be more expensive and that's the thing: People can be upset by that. But I'm trying to pick one of two evils," she added. "It's a never-ending f--king fight."

For a look back at Billie through the years, keep reading.

For the 2020 Academy Awards, Billie wore head-to-toe Chanel with a beautiful quilted jacket and matching trousers. Lightly decorated with sporadic Chanel logos, the singer finished the look with black and white sneakers and matching gloves. 

Combining a few of her signature themes for 2020, Billie sported accents of lime green under an oversized Gucci ensemble for the 62nd Grammy Awards. Unique to the look is her patterned mask and long green fingernails.

Anything but ordinary, the "Lovely" singer really stood out at the 2019 American Music Awards wearing Burberry's iconic tartan with a hood of sparkling gems covering her face. Down to a matching pair of plaid shoes, Billie came through looking regal and modern!

All designer everything. Billie sported a rainbow Louis Vuitton outfit to promote the launch of her Billie Eilish Experience presented by Spotify in 2019. The full coverage extended to a matching bucket hat and face covering—duh!

For Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2019, Billie rocked her go-to shirt and short combo in lime green, but this time, it was decorated with different artistic renditions of her name. Paired perfectly with combat boots and shades, Billie brought the house down.

Billie opted for a classic white tee with an oversized jersey and matching shorts for the Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park in 2019. Paired with a thick silver chain and details of her signature light green, Billie owned this chic 'fit.

On her way to the Vanity Fair after-party at the 92nd Academy Awards, the singer stopped to strike a pose in an all-black Gucci ensemble with lace details under an oversized black t-shirt and pant set. If the matching shades don't say it all, her pose certainly does.

At the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, the 19-year-old opted for a monochromatic, brocade two-piece by Gucci—matching bucket hat and face mask to boot!

Making more of a playful, light-hearted nod to childhood nostalgia, Billie wore the three iconic Powerpuff Girl characters on a vest and matching pants to the 36th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards. 

Who ever said a track suit could be boring? Billie attended the Universal Music Group's 2020 Grammy after-party in an incredible Gucci track suit with an iconic pair of sneakers and bold sunglasses to match. If that's not enough, her green nails added a finishing touch.

For the Glastonbury Festival in 2019, Billie wore an ensemble from Stella McCartney's Yellow Submarine-inspired collection. Making a reference to the 1968 Beatles cartoon film, the Blue Meanies are music-hating beings, so they are perfect for concert attire.

In September 2019, the singer stepped out in New York City wearing her signature, neon green color from head to toe. Completely matching the roots of her hairstyle, Billie styles herself with intention. 

In 2019, Billie attended the iHeartRadio Music Awards sporting an all black ensemble with two depictions of the lead character from Sailor Moon. Pairing the look with several layered cross necklaces and black, chunky sneakers, Billie owned the runway.

While performing at the American Music Awards in 2019, Billie sang a rendition of her hit song "all the good girls go to hell" while sporting a black matching t-shirt and short set covered in red, sparkling flames. The only thing hotter than her translucent sunglasses featured up top is her fire tune. 

Billie transcended time and space in this lime green look at the CBS Radio We Can Survive concert in 2019. Even with an injury, Billie knows how to give a performance!

To attend the Brit Awards in 2020, Billie aptly picked this Burberry look, a nod to the U.K.-based fashion house. To complete the look, the singer wore a translucent plastic hood in the shape of a bonnet.

Billie opened the 2020 iHeartRadio ALTer EGO concert in an oversized Lil B shirt. Sporting mismatched sneakers and her signature space buns, the singer brought the energy and the look!

Before she was "The Bad Guy," she attended the film premiere of Everything Everything in 2017. Sporting a bold yellow t-shirt and some similar camo pants, Billie did anything but blend in.