Billie Eilish says she's stopped reading online comments because 'it was ruining my life'

Updated

Billie Eilish has said she recently stopped reading comments on Instagram because “it was ruining my life.”

The 18-year-old singer — who has been propelled into the spotlight, winning five Grammys and singing the new James Bond theme “No Time To Die” — admitted she recently had to stop looking at what people were writing about her on social media.

Asked by the BBC if she read Instagram comments, Eilish said: “No, no I stopped like two days ago. Literally two days ago. I stopped reading comments fully. Because it was ruining my life. Once again.”

Her brother Finneas O'Connell, 22, with whom she writes her music, said, “I think you might see someone like a famous celebrity and you may think, ‘Sticks and stones, nothing I say is going to be potent to them’ … but it’s all very equal online.”

Eilish added: “It’s worse, it’s way worse than it’s ever been right now.”

Former child star Justin Bieber, 25, said in a recent interview that he was concerned for Eilish and wanted to protect her.

Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell agreed that online comments can be damaging. (Photo: Getty Images)
Eilish's brother Finneas O'Connell agreed that online comments can be damaging. (Photo: Getty Images)

In a tearful interview the “Sorry” singer said, “Let her do her thing. If she ever needs me I’m going to be here for her.

“Just protecting those moments because people take for granted encounters and … I just want to protect her, you know. I don’t want her to lose it.”

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