It started as a fluke. Back in 2017, a 15-year-old with silver hair and a baggy sweatshirt sat in a chair to answer some basic questions for a magazine. Nobody knew she was about to become the biggest pop star on the planet. Honestly, the Billie Eilish Vanity Fair interview series became more than just a viral video—it became a digital time capsule that a whole generation watched to see if she’d finally "make it."
Then, she did.
For six straight years, every October 18, we got the same shot. Same questions. Same blue background. We watched her go from 257,000 followers to over 100 million. We saw the hair change from blue to green to blonde to black. But after 2022, things got weird. The video didn't drop in 2023. Fans panicked. Was she done? Was she over it? Basically, the internet spent a year wondering if the most famous "growth" project in YouTube history had just died.
The 2023 "Missing" Year and the Big Pivot
Here’s the thing: she didn't actually stop. Billie later confirmed on her Instagram stories that she’s still filming the interviews every single year. She just isn’t releasing them every year.
"Gonna keep shooting one every year but hold them and put one out every few years," she told fans.
Why the change? Well, if you look at the 2022 edition—the sixth year—you can see she was starting to feel the weight of it. Looking back at your 15-year-old self when you're 20 is intense. Doing it every 12 months in front of 50 million people? That’s a lot of pressure to "evolve" on cue.
What happened in the 8th year?
After skipping the public release in 2023, the Billie Eilish Vanity Fair interview returned in late 2024 for "The Eighth Year." This was a massive moment because it finally bridged the gap. We got to see the 22-year-old Billie reacting to her 21-year-old self (the unreleased footage) and all the way back to that first day in 2017.
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It felt different. More mature. She was wearing glasses. She looked... settled.
What the 2024 Interview Revealed About Her Mental State
In the most recent installment, Billie was surprisingly blunt about her 2024. She called it a "friendship-filled year." That might sound like typical celebrity fluff, but if you've followed the series, you know she spent years talking about how lonely she was. In the early videos, she used to say her only friend was her brother, Finneas.
Now? She’s out here collaborating with Charli XCX on "Guess" and hanging out with a real circle of people.
Some quick stats from the 8th year:
- Instagram Followers: Topped 120 million.
- Spotify Rank: Became the #1 most-streamed artist in the world during the Hit Me Hard and Soft era.
- Relationship Status: She took a "cautious" approach to love but admitted, quite hilariously, that she’d had "a lot of good sex" this year.
- New Family Member: She adopted another dog, checking off a goal she set in the unreleased 2023 footage.
The most striking part was her reaction to 2019 Billie. In 2019, she was at her lowest point. Seeing her current self look at that footage—the girl who was terrified of her own tour schedule—and realize she’s now the "boss" of her own life was a huge payoff for long-time viewers.
Why this interview series actually matters for SEO and Pop Culture
Most celebrity interviews are boring junk. They're polished, PR-managed, and fake. The Billie Eilish Vanity Fair interview works because it’s the opposite. It shows the "cringe" phases. It shows the moments where she was clearly unhappy and the moments where she was arguably too arrogant.
It’s a masterclass in branding, even if it wasn't meant to be.
The Evolution of Style
You can't talk about these interviews without talking about the hair.
- 2017-2018: The "Ocean Eyes" era. Silver/blue, very young, very overwhelmed.
- 2019-2020: The "Bad Guy" era. Neon green roots. This is when she became a household name and won her first sweep of Grammys.
- 2021: The "Happier Than Ever" era. The blonde hair. This was her "old Hollywood" moment, though she later admitted she didn't feel like herself.
- 2022-2024: The "Hit Me Hard and Soft" era. Back to dark hair, red roots occasionally, and a much more "human" vibe.
Addressing the "Outing" Controversy
There was some drama surrounding why the 2023 video was delayed. Some fans speculated it was because of a Variety red carpet interview where she felt she was "outed" regarding her sexuality. People thought she might be mad at the media in general and pulled the Vanity Fair plug.
While Billie was definitely annoyed with Variety, the decision to stagger the Vanity Fair releases seems more about the longevity of the project. She wants to do this until she’s 90. If she puts one out every year, the impact thins out. By waiting, the jumps in her life feel more cinematic.
How to Watch the Full Series Properly
If you're trying to catch up, don't just watch the newest one. You’ve gotta see the progression.
Start with the 2017 original. It’s only a few minutes long. Then, watch how the video length explodes as she gets older and has more to say. By the time you get to the 8th year, the video is almost 30 minutes long. It’s basically a short documentary at this point.
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the "Most Famous Person in My Phone" segment. It goes from "I don't know anyone" to "Justin Bieber" to "Drake" to "Lady Gaga" pretty fast. In 2024, she mentioned Lady Gaga was her most-listened-to artist, which feels like a total full-circle moment for a girl who grew up as a massive fan.
Insights for the Future
Billie Eilish has changed the way stars interact with their own history. Most celebrities try to hide their old, "embarrassing" interviews. She leans into them.
The next public Billie Eilish Vanity Fair interview probably won't drop until 2026 or 2027, based on her new "every few years" rule. But we know the cameras are still rolling every October. She’s documenting the transition from a "child prodigy" to a long-term industry titan.
If you want to understand the modern music industry, stop reading headlines and just watch these eight videos. They tell you more about fame, burnout, and recovery than any biography ever could.
To stay updated on her latest projects, keep an eye on her official YouTube channel or the Vanity Fair "Time Capsule" playlist. It's the only place where you can actually watch a human being grow up in high definition.
Next Steps:
Go watch the "Eighth Year" video specifically to see the 2023 "lost footage" she included. It explains a lot about why she needed a break from the annual release cycle. Afterward, check out her collaboration with Charli XCX to see the high-energy contrast to her more quiet, reflective interview persona.