Billie Eilish has always been open about her admiration for Rihanna, and in a recent interview, she couldn’t hide her excitement about the possibility of working with her idol. The 22-year-old singer, known for hits like “Happier Than Ever” and “Ocean Eyes,” had some heartfelt words to say about the Barbadian superstar.
Speaking with Complex Magazine, Billie revealed just how much Rihanna means to her, especially after the moment in October when Rihanna, speaking at the launch of her Fenty X Puma collection, referred to Billie as her “dream collaborator.” At the time, Billie was floored by the compliment.
“I thought it was AI, first of all,” Billie admitted with a laugh, referencing her shock at hearing Rihanna’s praise. “I’ve never met Rihanna. She’s my idol. She’s the greatest of all time,” Billie gushed. It’s clear from Billie’s words that her admiration for Rihanna goes beyond just music. To her, Rihanna is a beacon of inspiration in both the music world and beyond.
Billie further elaborated, saying, “She’s my complete dream collab.” But when asked about potential collaborations with artists in general, Billie hesitated. “I don’t even answer that question when people are like, ‘Who would you like to collab with?’” she shared. However, she couldn’t help but confess, “I always think Rihanna.”
The candid conversation continued, and Billie expressed how she never truly thought a collaboration with Rihanna was a real possibility. “I’m not going to say that, though! Why would I say that?! It’s not real,” she explained. Billie admitted that her imposter syndrome took over, and she continued, “She probably doesn’t even like me.” Despite the uncertainty, Billie maintained a sense of humor, joking, “I have never heard from her and I’ve never had any interaction with her, ‘so why would I have ever even thought about it?’”
While some may wonder if Billie truly believes a collaboration could happen, her enthusiasm made it clear that she’d be thrilled at the opportunity. “Honestly, what do you mean, ‘If only?’ It’s like, as if I’ve been saying, ‘No.’ Rihanna! Riri? I’ll do anything you want. That’s insane,” she added with a laugh.
Billie’s genuine admiration for Rihanna shines through in every word she says. Whether or not they ever get to work together remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the possibility of collaborating with Rihanna would be a dream come true for Billie Eilish.