Billie Eilish is clarifying her recent comments critiquing artists for releasing multiple vinyl variants in an effort to increase sales and their position on the charts.
After the pop star, 22, went viral for speaking out in a Billboard interview about how “wasteful” it is for stars to sell various pressings and packagings of their records, she posted to Instagram on Sunday to explain that she “wasn’t singling anyone out.”
In a post on her Instagram Story, the Grammy winner requested that fans read the full article — which featured her and her mother, Maggie Baird, opening up about their sustainability initiatives — and reiterated that she was talking about “industry-wide systemic issues,” as opposed to specific artists, as some fans speculated on social media.
Billie Eilish/Instagram
In a candid statement shared alongside a link to the Billboard conversation, Eilish wrote, “okay so it would be so awesome if people would stop putting words into my mouth and actually read what i said in that billboard article.”
“i wasn’t singling anyone out, these are industry-wide systemic issues,” the “What Was I Made For?” singer said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The hitmaker also admitted to selling variants of her own albums in the past and explained why she thinks it’s important to move away from the practice. “& when it comes to variants, so many artists release them – including ME ! which i clearly state in the article,” she continued. “the climate crisis is now and its about all of us being part of the problem and trying to do better.”
“sheesh,” Eilish concluded.
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Penske Media via Getty
The “Bad Guy” singer’s originally spoke out against vinyl variants while explaining how she’s made efforts to make her own releases more sustainable, like by selling her 2021 album Happier Than Ever in eight variants that were all made from recycled materials.
“We live in this day and age where, for some reason, it’s very important to some artists to make all sorts of different vinyl and packaging,” the singer-songwriter said, “which ups the sales and ups the numbers and gets them more money.”
Eilish continued, “I can’t even express to you how wasteful it is. It is right in front of our faces and people are just getting away with it left and right. I find it really frustrating as somebody who really goes out of my way to be sustainable and do the best that I can and try to involve everybody in my team in being sustainable — and then it’s some of the biggest artists in the world making f—ing 40 different vinyl packages that have a different unique thing just to get you to keep buying more.”
“It’s so wasteful, and it’s irritating to me that we’re still at a point where you care that much about your numbers and you care that much about making money — and it’s all your favorite artists doing that s—,” added the Oscar winner.
Baird, 65, meanwhile, noted that the issue is “systemic” and suggested more “rules” be in place in terms of the chart data so that artists vying for a No. 1 album don’t abuse the practice.
Lester Cohen/Getty Images
Eilish has long used her platform to advocate for sustainability.
In March 2020, her mother founded the nonprofit Support + Feed, with the goal of addressing the climate crisis by providing more plant-based food to those in need. The superstar herself has supported the organization by integrating it into her tour, where she provides fans with resources.
The “Bury a Friend” singer also frequently partners with the environmental non-profit REVERB, which is dedicated to increasing sustainability in the music industry. Last summer during Eilish’s headlining performance at Lollapalooza, the two teamed up so that her set was run entirely by solar-powered battery systems.
Aside from her eco-conscious efforts, the musician seems to be gearing up to release her third studio album. Coming off the success of her contribution to the Barbie movie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?,” which swept awards season, Eilish revealed in late February that her next release is “mastered” in a post on Instagram.
