Finneas O'Connell has come to the defense of his sister and frequent collaborator, Billie Eilish, following backlash over her verse in Charli XCX's new "Guess" remix. A TikTok user accused Eilish's contribution to the track of being "high-key predatory" and claimed she was queerbaiting for commercial gain.
The remix, part of the extended edition of Charli XCX’s latest album "Brat," features Charli singing provocative lines like, "guess the color of my underwear" and "know what I’ve got goin’ on down there." Eilish’s verse, which includes explicit lyrics such as “I wanna try it, bite it, lick it, spit it / Pull it to the side and get all up in it / Kiss it, bite it, can I fit it? / Charli likes boys, but she knows I’d hit it,” drew particular ire from some listeners.
A TikTok user, @windows199x, criticized Eilish’s verse, calling it "high-key predatory" and accusing her of queerbaiting since the "Lost Cause" controversy, saying, “Ever since the 'Lost Cause' controversy, she’s been reducing girls to mere objects, all in an effort to convince the masses that she’s actually into them lol. Charli is 32 and engaged FYI.”
Eilish's brother, Finneas, responded sharply to these allegations, commenting on the TikTok post, “What a take, you little clown. I got to watch the entire internet slam my sister for queerbaiting for an entire year when, in reality, you were all forcing her to label and out herself.” Although his comment was later deleted, it highlighted his frustration with the ongoing scrutiny of Eilish’s personal life and artistic choices.
In 2021, Eilish faced similar accusations of queerbaiting following the release of her "Lost Cause" music video, which depicted her and several women dancing and flirting at a sleepover. Eilish later addressed these speculations in an interview with Rolling Stone, where she mentioned having "been in love with girls" throughout her life.
Despite the controversy, the "Guess" music video has been a major hit, amassing over 5 million views within a day of its release. The video features Eilish in various provocative scenarios, including driving a bulldozer and tumbling down a mountain of bras and underwear. Notably, the undergarments used in the video were donated to the I Support the Girls organization, which provides essential items like bras, underwear, and menstrual hygiene products to people experiencing homelessness and impoverishment.
This charitable act has garnered positive attention, showcasing the social responsibility behind the video's production. The organization expressed gratitude, stating that these donations help individuals "stand tall with dignity."