Billie Eilish has faced her share of public scrutiny throughout her career, but one incident in particular drew widespread attention: she reportedly lost 100,000 Instagram followers within an hour after posting a single photo.

Eilish, who rose to fame as a teenager after her song “Ocean Eyes” went viral in 2015, has since become one of the most celebrated young artists in music. With multiple Grammy Awards, major film soundtracks, and global chart success, she has remained firmly in the spotlight — and with that visibility comes constant commentary on her appearance and choices.

Over the years, fans have watched her experiment with her image, from bold hair colors to dramatic shifts in style. In 2021, her British Vogue cover — featuring blonde hair and a more traditionally feminine look — drew mixed reactions. Some praised the change, while others criticized it, prompting the singer to publicly defend her right to express herself. She reminded followers that she had once been judged for dressing in oversized clothing and now was being criticized for embracing a different style, noting, “I can be both.”

Another moment of backlash occurred in 2020 when she participated in a social-media trend asking users to share personal photos. When she posted a sketchbook drawing that included artistic depictions of women, a number of followers appeared to unfollow her soon after.

Eilish responded with humor, brushing off the incident and reminding fans that she is simply expressing her creativity — just as she always has.