Billie Eilish, 22-year-old singer recently named in the International Female Artist of the Year category at the NRJ Music Awards and present in Cannes this evening, does not hesitate to speak authentically about the challenges she encounters while suffering from the syndrome. by Gilles de la Tourette. Guest on the set of the show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction by David Letterman, the artist spoke about this neurological disorder that she has been experiencing since the age of 11. This syndrome, which manifests itself through motor or sound tics, can cause incomprehension and mockery, as she explains.
Tics linked to Gilles de la Tourette syndrome generally appear during childhood, between 6 and 8 years of age, and are sometimes accompanied by associated disorders, such as attention deficit or obsessive-compulsive disorders. Although her tics are discreet, Billie Eilish has explained how they profoundly affect her life: “People laugh sometimes, thinking I'm trying to be funny, but that reaction offends me.” She describes the repetitive gestures that she performs in spite of herself, such as moving her ears, raising her eyebrows or even clicking her jaw. However, she learned to accept these idiosyncrasies, explaining philosophically: “I turned them into friends, I learned to trust them.”
>> PHOTOS – LACMA 2022 : Billie Eilish, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Heidi Klum, Andrew Garfield sont resplendissants
Living with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in the artistic world
When she sings, Billie Eilish experiences moments of respite, as if intense concentration dissipates her tics. Aware of the impact of her testimony, she wishes to raise public awareness and support people affected by the syndrome. “So many people have it and we will never know,” she confided, regretting that few celebrities talk about it openly. By sharing her experience, Billie Eilish hopes to break taboos and open a discussion about a disorder that may be little known or even mocked.
Article written in collaboration with 6Medias.
Photo credits: Backgrid USA / Bestimage
