Billie Eilish’s controversial comments about meat-eating have officially gone larger than life. After the Grammy winner sparked massive online backlash for saying people cannot truly love animals while still eating them, PETA is now throwing its full support behind the singer with a big billboard towering over Times Square.
The animal rights organization unveiled the huge display at 1530 Broadway in Latest York City, strategically placing it near fast-food giants McDonald’s and Popeyes while 1000’s of tourists and fans go through the busy area each day. The campaign launch also coincides with fans heading into AMC and Regal theaters on forty second Street to observe Billie Eilish’s latest concert film.
The viral controversy began after Eilish declared during a recent interview that “eating meat is inherently improper” and argued that individuals cannot claim to like animals while continuing to devour them. Her comments immediately divided social media, with many meat-eaters criticizing the singer while others praised her for speaking openly about veganism and animal cruelty.
Quite than backing down amid the backlash, the “All the pieces I Wanted” singer doubled down on Instagram by posting graphic slaughterhouse footage to her greater than 125 million followers. The disturbing clips reportedly showed calves being kicked and thrown into trucks, pigs twitching while being dragged across slaughterhouse floors, and other scenes tied to the meat and dairy industries.
“[G]o watch a documentary or two and a few footage of what is finished to the animals u claim to like and what it does to the planet u pretend to like as well,” Eilish wrote. “[I]f that footage was hard for u to observe I encourage u to pls take a take a look at urself.”
PETA Says Billie Eilish Is ‘Not Afraid’ To Speak Out
Based on PETA, Eilish’s posts inspired many followers to rethink their diets, with some users even crediting the singer for influencing them to develop into vegetarian or vegan. “Billie Eilish made me go vegan,” one social media user reportedly wrote, while one other added, “Just saw Billie’s Instagram story. I’m now a vegetarian.”
PETA President Tracy Reiman applauded the “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” singer for using her platform to spark uncomfortable conversations about animal rights. “In the event you claim to like animals but you’re still eating them, you’re lying to yourself, and Billie Eilish and PETA aren’t afraid to say it,” Reiman said per an email sent to The Blast.
“Helping animals, the environment, and our own health is as easy as leaving animals off our plates, and PETA’s free vegan starter kit can assist anyone make the switch,” she added.
Eilish Previously Pressured Oscar de la Renta To Ban Fur
Long before her latest comments about meat-eating sparked controversy online, Billie Eilish had already made headlines for using her celebrity status to push major changes inside the fashion industry. Back in 2021, the singer famously agreed to wear an Oscar de la Renta gown to the Met Gala only after the luxurious fashion house committed to permanently banning fur sales.
On the time, Eilish spoke openly about her stance on animal cruelty while discussing the choice with The Latest York Times. “It was shocking that wearing fur isn’t completely outlawed,” she said.
The Grammy winner also admitted she felt proud to assist influence change at such a serious fashion brand, describing herself as a “catalyst” behind the corporate’s policy shift.
Billie Eilish Continues To Mix Pop Stardom With Animal Rights Activism
Beyond fashion campaigns and viral social media debates, Eilish has continued to align herself closely with animal rights organizations and grassroots activism efforts. The singer and her brother, Finneas, have each participated in events supporting Farm Sanctuary, which is recognized as the primary farm animal rescue organization of its kind in the USA.
Over time, Eilish has consistently used her massive platform to attach mainstream popular culture with conversations surrounding veganism, factory farming, and animal welfare. And with PETA now amplifying her latest remarks across Times Square, the singer’s message is once more reigniting debate over whether people can truly claim to like animals while continuing to eat them.