“I Really Do Not Recognize Her”: People Are Shook Over Billie Eilish’s Transformation For “The Bell Jar”
by Leyla Mohammed · BuzzFeedPosted 2 hours ago
Back in March, it was reported that Billie Eilish was set to make her leading acting debut in Sarah Polley’s adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar.
First published in 1963, Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel follows a young woman named Esther Greenwood whose glamorous summer internship in New York slowly unravels as she navigates society’s impossible expectations of her.
Billie hasn’t yet commented on her upcoming acting venture, but this week, new photos of her on set in Toronto were published online.
In the pictures, which you can view here, Billie strayed far from her signature style, rocking a vintage-inspired outfit, bright red lipstick, and notably auburn-brown hair.
Several internet users were left shocked at Billie’s transformation, admitting on Reddit that they hardly recognized her in the new photos. “She looks so different,” one person wrote. “I really do not recognize her at all,” another user said.
“Wouldnt have recognised her. She reminds me of Claire Foy here,” one person suggested, while someone else agreed, “She looks a lot like Claire Foy in this hair & makeup. It’s neat seeing her in something so different than her usual style!”
“Based on these pictures alone, it’s very possible I could’ve watched this whole movie and not realized it was even her,” one user admitted. “I wouldn’t have recognized her outside of the pics where she is smiling or laughing,” another person echoed.
“I know the clothes and period centric makeup and vibe are doing a lot of heavy lifting but she does NOT look like a pop star at all and one of the most challenging things to do as an actor is disappear into a role,” another comment read.
Sharing theories as to why Billie’s transformation was so shocking, one person suggested, “I think it helps that her normal style is so different,” while another agreed, “she has the benefit of 'not looking like a popstar' even when she's performing as one. she's always embraced a very nontraditional look.”
Someone else wrote, “She’s beautiful but doesn’t look like she has perma-filter face, which means she can actually emote! It’s sad that it’s getting to the point where all I’m asking from an emotional role is that the actors can ya know…emote.”
“Her face actually works well for a period film,” one more user said.
Let us know what you think in the comments!
Some Reddit comments have been edited slightly for length or clarity.