In a candid conversation on comedian Amy Poehler's 'Good Hang' podcast, released on Tuesday, May 5, Billie Eilish opened up about her lifelong experience with Tourette’s syndrome, shedding light on the challenges of suppressing her tics during high-pressure situations like interviews. The 24-year-old singer, known for hits like 'Bad Guy' and her introspective songwriting, described the neurological disorder as often frustrating, particularly due to public misconceptions. Eilish, who was diagnosed as a child, revealed how she constantly battles to keep her vocal and physical tics in check in professional settings, only to release them once alone.
Eilish explained the nature of her tics during the podcast, noting that they primarily manifest as noises rather than words, though she experiences phases where specific words become involuntary outbursts. 'I do have Tourette’s and I have vocal tics but, luckily for me and for everyone else, they’re mostly just noises and I can keep them pretty quiet,' she said. She elaborated on a technique called suppressing, which allows her to control the tics temporarily. 'When I’m in an interview, I’m doing everything in my power to suppress all of my tics constantly. And as soon as I leave the room, I have to let them all out.'
The singer likened Tourette’s to an uncontrollable urge where the mouth vocalizes intrusive thoughts, a description that underscores the involuntary aspect of the condition. This insight comes at a time when Eilish has been promoting her third studio album, 'Hit Me Hard and Soft,' released earlier in 2024, and navigating the demands of her global fame. Her willingness to discuss Tourette’s marks a departure from her previous reticence, as she has historically avoided letting the disorder define her public persona.
Eilish highlighted the emotional toll of misunderstanding surrounding Tourette’s, particularly when people misinterpret her tics as jokes or signs of distress. 'I think what’s troubling about the way that people do not understand what Tourette’s is, if I start having a tic attack, like a lot of tics in a row, people are like, ‘Are you OK?’' she shared. She pointed out that such reactions overlook the normalcy of her symptoms, including constant knee and elbow movements that she conceals during conversations. 'It’s like, if you didn’t see me tic today, you’re not looking at my knees, which are tic-ing constantly under this table, and my elbows that are like … I’m clenching my arms the entire time.'
According to Eilish, not everyone with Tourette’s has the ability to suppress their tics, making the lack of awareness even more frustrating. 'Some people don’t even have the privilege of getting to suppress them at all in any way. The ‘not understanding’ of that is really frustrating, as a person with Tourette’s,' she added. This frustration echoes broader discussions in the medical community about Tourette’s syndrome, a disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations that affects about 1 in 160 children, per estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though many cases go undiagnosed in adults.
Eilish's podcast appearance builds on previous instances where she has touched on her condition, though sparingly. In a 2022 interview with David Letterman on his Netflix series 'My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,' she admitted to rarely discussing it due to unhelpful public reactions. 'It’s really weird, I haven’t talked about it at all,' she told Letterman at the time. She described how people often laugh at her tics, assuming they are intentional humor. 'The most common way that people react is they laugh because they think I’m trying to be funny. They think I’m [ticcing] as a funny move. And so they go, ‘Ha,’ and I’m always left incredibly offended by that. Or they go ‘What?’ and then I go, ‘I have Tourette’s.’'
That 2022 conversation, filmed in Los Angeles, highlighted Eilish's reluctance to be labeled solely by her diagnosis. The singer, who rose to fame as a teenager with her debut EP 'Don’t Smile at Me' in 2017, has long emphasized her artistry over personal health struggles. Letterman's show, which features in-depth celebrity profiles, provided a platform for Eilish to address the topic briefly amid discussions of her career and mental health.
Earlier, in April 2019, Eilish appeared on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' and spoke about living with Tourette’s since childhood. 'It’s something I’ve lived with my whole life,' she told host Ellen DeGeneres during the episode taped in Burbank, California. 'I just never said anything about it because I didn’t want that to define who I was. I didn’t want to be ‘the artist with Tourette’s.’' At 17 years old then, Eilish was on the cusp of superstardom following the success of her album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
'When the Party’s Over' singer also briefly touched on her experience with Tourette’s while appearing on Ellen in April 2019. 'It’s something I’ve lived with my whole life,' she told host Ellen DeGeneres. 'I just never said anything about it because I didn’t want that to define who I was. I didn’t want to be ‘the artist with Tourette’s.’'
These past disclosures provide context for Eilish's more detailed revelations on Poehler's podcast, which was recorded in an informal setting that allowed for greater vulnerability. Amy Poehler, a two-time Emmy winner known for 'Parks and Recreation' and her work with Tina Fey, hosts 'Good Hang' to foster genuine dialogues with guests from entertainment and beyond. The episode, available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, has already garnered attention for Eilish's raw honesty, amassing thousands of streams within days of release.
Experts in neurology, such as those from the Tourette Association of America, have praised public figures like Eilish for increasing awareness. The organization notes that Tourette’s often co-occurs with conditions like ADHD and OCD, affecting daily life in varied ways. While Eilish's tics are manageable through suppression, she emphasized that this isn't universal, pointing to the spectrum nature of the disorder. According to the association, suppression can lead to a buildup of tension, sometimes resulting in more intense tic episodes later, aligning with Eilish's description of releasing tics post-interview.
Beyond her personal story, Eilish's comments arrive amid a cultural shift toward destigmatizing neurodiversity in Hollywood. Celebrities like singer-songwriter Halsey and actor Samuel L. Jackson have shared experiences with similar conditions, contributing to a more inclusive narrative. However, Eilish recounted an incident from 2021 where a reporter allegedly outed her Tourette’s on a red carpet without consent, an event she referenced in relation to her podcast discussion, underscoring ongoing privacy concerns for public figures with invisible disabilities.
The singer's openness may encourage others with Tourette’s to speak out, potentially influencing public perception. In the podcast, Eilish connected her experience to a recent backstage interaction at the 2024 Grammys with Miley Cyrus, where they bonded over relatable pressures of performance, though she didn't delve deeply into health specifics there. As Eilish continues her world tour for 'Hit Me Hard and Soft,' scheduled through December 2024 with stops in Europe and North America, her advocacy could amplify during live shows where tics might be more visible to audiences.
Looking ahead, Eilish's revelations highlight the need for greater education on Tourette’s, which the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes as starting in childhood and persisting into adulthood for many. With no cure, management often involves behavioral therapies and, in some cases, medication. Eilish has not publicly detailed her treatment regimen, focusing instead on the social aspects of the condition. Her story serves as a reminder of the hidden struggles behind fame, prompting calls from advocates for more empathetic responses to neurodiverse individuals in the spotlight.
As discussions around mental and neurological health gain momentum, Eilish's voice adds a prominent perspective. Fans and medical professionals alike have responded positively to the podcast episode, with social media buzz emphasizing her courage. Whether this leads to further personal disclosures or fuels broader awareness campaigns remains to be seen, but Eilish's words on May 5 have undeniably sparked important conversations about living with Tourette’s in the public eye.