SUPERSTAR BILLIE EILISH GIVES THE WORLD A RARE LOOK AT HER BIKINI STYLE ON A BEACH IN BARCELONA.

It is surprising, as she is widely recognized for her signature oversized style, influenced by her struggles with physical appearance and body image.

Only two years ago, in an interview with Vogue magazine, she discussed how the body shaming and negative comments she endured in the past continue to affect her, even to this day.  She achieved fame at the age of 14 due to the extraordinary success of her song "Ocean Eyes" in 2015.

However, she struggled to cope with her sudden fame, experiencing a prolonged adolescent crisis. She did not perceive herself as beautiful, describing herself as chubby and poorly proportioned.

Sensitive to public scrutiny and negative comments about her appearance and unusual behavior, she endured a prolonged period of depression, often isolating herself by staying confined to her parents' house in Los Angeles.

This era of profound darkness, despite the remarkable successes of her early musical career, was mirrored in the somber themes and melancholy present in her songs.  Feelings of illness and persistent suicidal thoughts tormented her mind to such an extent that she was convinced she would not live to see her 17th birthday.  Fortunately, her mother lessened the demands of her rigorous touring schedule and ensured she had access to therapy.

And one day she awoke to the realization that she had become excessively isolated, prompting her to make a concerted effort to engage in what she refers to as "human activities."  Going out with friends, playing sports with them, having fun, was beneficial for her.  Laughter became her therapy. 

Despite enduring ongoing online scrutiny, Billie Eilish remains committed to the journey of self-acceptance. While she has repeatedly acknowledged the impact of hurtful comments on her well-being, she continues to work on prioritizing her own emotions over the opinions of others, highlighting the significance of self-love and resilience.

She recently said : «the older I get, there really have been many periods of doubt and fear and feeling so much pressure, and then when more people knew me, more people had something to say.  It was hard to remember to trust myself or even believe in myself sometimes.  It's still a process.  I think I'm doing pretty good.  

I've also always been very strong-willed and very much myself, so I do think that plays a part.  I am undeniably who I am, and I have absolutely no other choice, and sometimes it feels like a burden - but I happen to also like that girl.  Although it does feel at times definitely inescapable.  I will say I've really grown to like who I am a lot at this point.  Thank God.  With exceptions...»

Billie Eilish, of Irish and Scottish heritage, has grown significantly since her challenging teenage years. She firmly rejects being confined to a single label or a stereotypical, prejudiced category.  «Over time it's kind of become a thing "Billie Eilish, the creepy, weird, scary girl".  And I don't like that.  It's lame.  I just don't want to stay one thing.»

Eilish is truly an original artist. Her vocal style is unparalleled, and her stage presence is remarkably distinctive, especially for a young woman. She shattered the mold and defied the stereotype that defined the "sexy" singers of the preceding generation. 

But as much in her clothing style as in her musical style, she is not one-dimensional.  She acts according to her desires while staying authentic to herself and the experiences that have shaped her since birth.  She is adamant about preserving an air of mystery regarding her personal affairs, particularly her romantic life.

Having emerged from the isolation of her adolescence, Billie utilized her celebrity and the significant influence of her remarkable musical career to actively engage in causes close to her heart, striving to transform a world in need of change.  «There could have easily been a world without me, but since I'm in the world, I am going to try to help people and be impactful and change things that have been in place for so long and are so outdated.»

She has been outspoken about environmental issues, particularly raising awareness of climate change.

She is an active advocate on social media, promoting animal rights and veganism.

She criticized the sexual exploitation of young women, particularly by men in positions of power over them.

Eilish aligns herself with the U.S. abortion rights movement and expressed her anger when Texas enacted its anti-abortion laws in 2021.

She advocated for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.

Last year, she, along with her brother and artistic collaborator Finneas, endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 United States presidential election.

Billie has frequently addressed the topic of women's rights in her speeches and statements.  She wrote and produced the 2020 short film "Not My Responsibility" in response to body shaming directed at her and the double standards imposed on women's appearances.

Her struggle against body shaming empowered her to overcome this challenge.  This is why we started witnessing her confidently appearing in public wearing a bikini, as seen two years ago on her friend Annabel Zimmer's Instagram account and again last year during the Fourth of July celebrations.

She has once again made headlines in Barcelona, donning a red string bikini during her vacation as she prepares to resume her European Tour, "Hit Me Hard and," next month.

Here she is performing the song that made her famous (Ocean Eyes) with Lana Del Rey, who was a big influence in her career.

ELLE MacPHERSON AND KATE UPTON AMONG SI MOST FAMOUS STARS ON THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.

The renowned Sports Illustrated magazine faced challenges in achieving success following its inception in August 1954.  It was only about ten years later that it became profitable for its owners, thanks to a few innovations.

One of them had a significant influence in 1964 when the magazine's editor, André Laguerre, released a special edition featuring photographs of models in bikinis.

Originally published annually in February, and subsequently in May starting from 2019, this special issue has grown in significance and has become the renowned "Swimsuit Issue." It consistently achieves the highest sales and garners the most attention, whether through positive or negative comments.

It is important to note that during the mid-1960s, the wearing of bikinis was only starting to gain social acceptance. Prior to this period, particularly in Puritan-influenced America, such attire was deemed scandalous and immoral, even two decades after its invention in France in 1946 (refer to my blog «BIKINI AND POM POM GIRLS» Regarding this topic⇾ https://bikiniandpompomgirls.blogspot.com/2025/03/history-of-bikini-difficult-times-in.html).

Moreover, it is frequently asserted that the widespread popularity of Sports Illustrated's "Swimsuit Issue" significantly contributed to the acceptance of the bikini in the United States.  Subsequently, Sports Illustrated will also launch and market its own line of swimwear.

Initially, people—particularly feminists—struggled to comprehend why SI officials were sharing these photos of bikini models. They argued that such "provocative and sexist" images were inappropriate for a sports magazine or any other publication, for that matter.

The renowned fashion journalist Julie Campbell, known for her role in the contentious "Swimsuit Issue," viewed it merely as a showcase for "taller and healthier California women." Admittedly, the connection to the themes of Sports Illustrated seems rather tenuous.

Highly profitable for Sports Illustrated, generating tens of millions of dollars in advertising and sales, the special swimsuit issue no longer provokes, as it did in its early days, a substantial number of unsubscribes and negative reviews.  It has transitioned into video format and is now accessible in a digital version.

Its annual launch has become a global advertising event, and despite feminist criticism, it does not appear to be disappearing anytime soon.

The Special Edition Swimwear has celebrated its most favored figures over the past six decades. Elle MacPherson (above) holds the record with five appearances in its pages, spanning the years 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, and 2006.

She is closely followed by Kate Upton, who has appeared in four editions (2012, 2013, 2017, and 2024).

 Five other top models claim three appearances in the pages of the famous sports magazine :

Daniela Pestova

- Christie Brinkley (1979, 1980 and 1981);

- Cheryl Tiegs (1970, 1975 and 1983);

- Kathy Ireland (1989, 1992 and 1994);

- Daniela Pestova (1995, 2000 and 2006);

- Tyra Banks (1996, 1997 and 2019).

AFTER THE END OF THE ERAS TOUR, VACATION ON THE BEACH FOR TAYLOR SWIFT ?

After 149 performances spanning 21 months, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concluded in Vancouver, Canada. 

The 34-year-old American singer shattered all records, grossing $2.2 billion—nearly twice as much as the second-highest-grossing artist tour by Coldplay, which earned $1.14 billion since March 2022 with their Music of the Spheres tour set to extend into 2025). The Eras tour drew 10 million attendees.

Following such a tour de force, the superstar certainly merits some rest and a well-earned vacation. Might we soon spot her on the beaches of a tropical country enjoying herself? Or will she opt to wait for her boyfriend, the football player Travis Kelce, to join her as he did last March?

It may still be a long time coming, because the Kansas City Chiefs, with their current 12-1 record and status as reigning champions of the NFL's American Conference West Division, have a strong chance of reaching the Super Bowl again this year in February, especially after securing the title for the past two years.

Taylor Swift is not frequently photographed on beaches worldwide, unlike other international jet-set celebrities. She has maintained a level of discretion in this aspect. Moreover, the few photos that have been released, and became very popular, were typically of low quality. The most recent photos of this nature emerged last March from the Bahamas, capturing the blonde celebrity swimming with Kelce.

I'm not among the "Swifties," even though I acknowledge Taylor Swift's immense talent. Like many music enthusiasts, I perceive her success as disproportionate when compared to other prominent figures in show business. How, then, can we explain the phenomenon of "Swiftmania"?

Music and marketing experts, along with academics who teach courses on the topic, have provided some insights into this unique phenomenon.

• Initially, Taylor Swift began her career while still young and has achieved consistent progress throughout the years.
• She is a multifaceted artist, excelling as a singer-songwriter-composer and dancer, talents that are uncommonly found in one individual, regardless of gender, but especially rare for a woman.

• She has had a prolific career, releasing eleven albums over 18 years and embarking on six global tours.
• She has crafted her songs across a variety of musical styles, including country, folk, electro-pop, and R&B, enabling her to connect with a broad audience.
• She has received numerous accolades, among them 14 Grammy Awards.

• She has documented her life experiences, including her romantic endeavors, through her music, resonating with her audience who often see reflections of their own lives in her narratives.
• She courageously confronted adversity, (including disparaging remarks from Kanye West), and surmounted her challenging relationship issues, earning the admiration of her fans.
• She has managed to forge a unique connection with her fans, particularly through her "friendship bracelets."

• Album to album, show to show, Taylor Swift consistently surprises her audience with her ability to reinvent herself.
• By sharing stories of her personal life, she creates a narrative that enthralls her audience, leaving them eager to discover what unfolds next.
• Her approach to engaging with her social networks is a significant asset in forging a strong connection with her followers. She has emerged as a representative figure of her generation.
• Ultimately, she represents the latest iteration of the American Dream.