Let’s be real: when the first photos of Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford holding hands at a vegan spot in West Hollywood dropped in October 2022, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. People were confused. They were mad. They were mostly just loud. You couldn’t scroll for five seconds without seeing a think-piece about age gaps or someone digging up old photos of them from years ago when Billie was still a young teen and Jesse was already a rock star.
The Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford era was short, but man, it was intense. It was a seven-month whirlwind that felt much longer because of how much space it took up in the pop culture vacuum. From the infamous "Gucci blanket" red carpet moment to those chaotic Halloween costumes that felt like a giant middle finger to their critics, they didn't exactly hide. But then, just as quickly as it started, it was over. In May 2023, the reps did that thing reps do—they released the "amicable split" statement.
🔗 Read more: Wendy Williams Tits: What Most People Get Wrong About Her "Surgery Girl" Identity
Three years later, people are still asking: what actually happened? And more importantly, how do they stand now in 2026?
The Timeline Nobody Can Quite Agree On
Technically, they were "first" spotted together in late 2022. But if you're a real fan, you know they go way back. There are photos floating around from 2017—back when Billie had that silvery-gray "Ocean Eyes" hair—of her and Jesse hanging out. She was 15; he was 26.
That’s where the "ick factor" started for a lot of people. It wasn't just that they were dating; it was the history. When they finally went public, Billie didn't seem to care about the noise. In her annual Vanity Fair time-capsule interview that November, she was literally glowing. She called him the "hottest f---ing f---er alive" and joked that she "pulled his ass." She sounded like anyone else with a new crush—totally obsessed and a little bit defiant.
Key Milestones of the Romance
- October 2022: Spotted at Crossroads Kitchen. The "hard launch" through paparazzi.
- November 2022: The LACMA Art + Film Gala. They showed up wrapped in a giant Gucci quilt. It was weird, it was high fashion, and it was very them.
- December 2022: Jesse is front and center for Billie’s 21st birthday at the KIA Forum.
- April 2023: Their final public sighting at Coachella. They looked fine, but the vibes were shifting.
- May 2023: The official breakup announcement.
That Halloween Costume: A Masterclass in Trolling
You remember the photo. Billie dressed as a baby with rosy cheeks and a bonnet. Jesse dressed as an old man with a balding cap and gray tufts. It was their response to the "grooming" allegations and the constant commentary on their 11-year age difference.
🔗 Read more: Ben Affleck's reaction to Jennifer Garner wedding: What really happened
Honestly? It was a bold move. Maybe too bold. While some fans thought it was a genius way to mock the haters, others found it genuinely distasteful. It felt like they were making light of a power dynamic that a lot of people find predatory. It’s one of those moments that hasn't aged particularly well, even if the intent was just to be "edgy."
Why Did They Actually Break Up?
The official word was "amicable." The reps were very clear: "All cheating rumors are false. Both are currently single."
But fans have their theories. Some think the pressure of the public eye was just too much. Others point to the fact that Billie was clearly going through a massive period of self-discovery. Shortly after the split, she started opening up more about her sexuality—eventually releasing "Lunch" on her third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft.
She was growing up. Jesse, being in his early 30s, was in a different life stage. Sometimes it’s not a big, dramatic blow-up; sometimes you just realize that the person who "inspired" you when you were 20 isn't the person you want to be with when you're 22 and figuring out who you actually love.
The "No Cheating" Clause
It’s rare for a PR team to explicitly mention cheating unless people are already whispering about it. At the time, Billie had been seen with actress Ava Capri at a Met Gala afterparty. The rep’s "all rumors are false" line was a preemptive strike. It seems they really did just drift apart.
Where They Stand in 2026
If you’re looking for a "feud," you won't find it here. Billie has been incredibly consistent about her respect for Jesse. She’s called him "her homie forever" and "truly one of my favorite people in the world."
In 2024, she was even seen at his &ONE album listening party, dancing and vibing to his music. There’s a line in one of his songs, "Turn Heel," where he mentions getting a text from her. They’ve managed to do the "exes to besties" transition better than almost anyone in Hollywood.
✨ Don't miss: Olivia Munn Nude: Why the Conversation Still Matters in 2026
- They still support each other's music.
- They move in the same Los Angeles circles.
- There is zero "bad blood" publicly.
The Takeaway on the Jesse and Billie Saga
What most people get wrong about Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford is the idea that it was some tragic, messy mistake. To the public, it was a controversy. To Billie, it seemed like a necessary chapter. She’s since been linked to others, including the rumors about her and Nat Wolff in 2025, but she’s remained notoriously private about her dating life lately.
If you’re navigating an "amicable" split of your own, there are actually a few things to learn from how they handled the fallout.
- Keep the private stuff private. They never trashed each other in the press.
- Set boundaries with the public. Billie addressed the split once on her IG story and then moved on.
- Prioritize the friendship. If the foundation was built on "equal admiration," like Billie said, that doesn't have to vanish just because the romance did.
The lesson here is basically that you can date the person you once had a crush on, realize it doesn't work, and still keep them in your life. It's not always a scandal. Sometimes it's just two musicians who realized they were better as "homies" than a power couple.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you're looking to dive deeper into the music born from this era, listen to the lyrics of Hit Me Hard and Soft—specifically the tracks dealing with transitions and "the person I was then." It provides a much clearer picture of Billie's headspace post-Jesse than any tabloid ever could. Check out Jesse's &ONE project as well to see how his sound evolved during their time together.