I had this weird idea on a whim

Artists on Artists for Variety with Billie Eilish and Mars Tosin

The set was intimate—two chairs facing each other, cameras strategically placed to capture every angle of their interaction. A cozy ambiance filled the room, the kind that invited deep conversations and moments of laughter. Billie and Mars sat across from one another, their chemistry effortlessly on display. The production team buzzed around them, setting up mics and adjusting lighting, but all Billie could focus on was the woman sitting opposite her.

Billie leaned back in her seat, her hair styled in a casual updo, with a few strands framing her face. She wore gold hoops—her signature accessory—and a relaxed expression, though her blue eyes sparkled mischievously as they locked onto Mars.

Mars looked equally stunning, her hair freshly braided into cornrows with a crisp line-up framing her forehead. Her tawny skin seemed to glow under the warm lights, and though she wore a mix of causal and formal—a loose black button-up and tailored slacks—they did little to hide her athletic physique. Her mismatched eyes, gleaming under the soft studio lighting as she returned Billie's gaze.

"Stop looking at me like that," Billie said with a giggle, breaking the silence between them.

Mars tilted her head, clearly amused. "Sorry, I'll look this way," she said, dramatically turning her head to face the empty space beside them.

"No, don't do that!" Billie laughed, leaning forward. "I like it when you look at me. Just... you're making it so obvious."

Mars chuckled, her deep voice smooth like honey. "Can't help it. You're too gorgeous, pretty girl."

Billie rolled her eyes playfully, trying to suppress the warmth creeping up her cheeks. She toyed with one of her rings, spinning it absentmindedly on her finger. "You know," she started, "there was this time, like a couple of weeks after we met—back when we were still texting all the time. And the first time we met up again after that, I totally forgot you were British."

Mars raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Really?"

"Yeah," Billie admitted with a grin. "You just text so... normal, you know? Like, no 'mate' or 'bloody this' or 'innit' or whatever."

Mars threw her head back in laughter, the rich sound filling the space. "What kind of British people have you been talking to?"

"I don't know!" Billie giggled, shrugging. "I guess I just expected more British slang. I mean, you text the same way Americans do with like, lil Portuguese words in between."

"Sorry to disappoint," Mars teased, shaking her head. "Next time I'll throw in some 'cheers, love' or 'fancy a cuppa?' just for you."

Billie snorted. "Please don't. I'd never take you seriously again."

Mars smirked. "Wouldn't be the first time."

They both burst into easy laughter, the kind of carefree joy that comes from knowing someone deeply. Their banter felt natural, unforced, a testament to the connection they'd built over time.

As their laughter subsided, Billie rested her chin on her hand, gazing at Mars with a curious glint in her eye. "So, Mars," she began, adopting a mock-interviewer tone, "since we're doing this whole 'Artists on Artists' thing, let's talk careers. You're an actress, singer, Grammy-winner and an Emmy-winner. How does it feel to do literally everything?"

Mars gave a modest shrug, though the corner of her mouth quirked up in a playful smile. "I mean... you have an oscar but to answer your question, it's exhausting," she admitted with a chuckle. "But it's also fun. I like keeping busy, and I love what I do. Music and acting—they're two different beasts, but I get something different out of each of them."

Billie nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, I feel that. Music has always been my thing, but acting brings a whole new kind of thrill."

"Oh, definitely." Mars leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees. "When I'm acting, it's like... I get to be someone else for a while. I get to disappear into a role and tell a story that's not my own. But with music, it's the opposite—it's me, raw and unfiltered. It's personal."

Billie smiled, the sincerity in Mars' words resonating with her. "That's beautiful. I guess that's why people connect with your music so much. It feels real."

Mars gave a small, appreciative nod. "Same goes for you, Bills. Your music has this way of... I don't know, reaching people right where they are. Like, even when you're singing about your own experiences, it feels universal."

Billie tilted her head, her expression softening. "That's probably the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."

Mars smirked. "No its not you liar."

They shared another laugh, the ease between them making the conversation flow effortlessly. The cameras rolled on, capturing the candid moments that would undoubtedly become viral clips later.

"So," Mars said after a moment, her tone light but curious, "What's it like for you, navigating fame? I mean, you blew up when you were what, twelve?" Mars joked at the end.

"Bleep you— I was fifteen, technically," Billie corrected with a small smile. "It's been... wild, to say the least. Some days I love it, and other days I wish I could just disappear, you know? It's a lot to handle, especially when people feel entitled to your personal life."

Mars nodded in understanding. "I get that. Fame can be overwhelming. People think they know you because they see you on screen or hear your music, but they don't see everything behind the scenes."

"Exactly," Billie agreed, her voice carrying a hint of relief. "It's always refreshing to talk to someone who gets it."

Mars smiled warmly. "I've got you, ma. Always."

The sincerity in Mars' voice made Billie's heart swell, and she reached out to take Mars' hand, their fingers intertwining effortlessly.

They shared a brief moment of comfortable silence before Billie, unable to resist, asked the playful question that had been on her mind. "Okay, serious question now—who's your favorite O'Connell?"

Mars grinned, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh, easy. Patrick," she answered, adopting a thick Irish accent.

Billie doubled over with laughter, nearly falling out of her chair. "Oh my God, not my dad!" she wheezed, clutching her stomach.

Mars joined in her laughter, clearly amused by Billie's reaction. "What can I say? He's a legend."

"I can't believe you just said that," Billie managed between giggles, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. "I thought you were gonna say Finneas or me."

"Finneas is the absolute best dude I've ever known, you are very important in my life," Mars admitted with a smirk. "But your dad? Iconic."

Billie shook her head, still laughing. "That's crazy."

"It's not," Mars teased, winking at her.

Billie rolled her eyes fondly. "It is."

Mars adjusted slightly in her seat, shifting into a more formal tone. "Alright," she began, a playful gleam still lingering in her eyes. "Let's talk about your role as Eva on Swarm, Ms. Eilish."

Billie arched a brow, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Shoot."

"How did it feel to play a cult leader?" Mars asked, leaning in slightly. "And would you want to do more roles in the future?"

Billie took a moment to consider the question, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of her chair. "Honestly? It was wild," she admitted. "Playing Eva was... intense. There was this eerie, manipulative energy to her, and it kinda made me feel like I was stepping into a whole different world. It was cool but also super challenging."

Mars nodded, clearly fascinated. "And the scene where you gaslight Dre—"

"Oh my god," Billie interrupted, laughing. "That scene was insane! Like, I remember doing it and thinking, Am I really saying these things right now?"

"You were terrifying," Mars confirmed with a grin. "Like, genuinely unsettling."

"Thank you?" Billie responded with a playful laugh. "I think?"

They shared another smile, the kind of silent understanding that comes from knowing each other's rhythms and quirks.

"So," Mars continued, "do you think you'll take on more acting roles in the future?"

Billie shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. I mean, I never really saw myself as an actress, but it was such a cool experience. I'd definitely be down to do it again... if the right role came along."

Mars leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "And what if that role was with me?"

Billie's eyes lit up at the suggestion, her excitement impossible to hide. "Funny you say that," she said, grinning. "My mom actually asked me the other day if I'd ever want to be in a movie with you, and I told her, heck yeah."

Mars grinned back, visibly pleased. "Well, now we just need to convince some director to make it happen."

"Right?" Billie laughed. "We'd be unstoppable."

"Y'know," Billie said at one point, her voice softening as she looked around the room, "I feel like this is the first time we've really talked about us... like, in front of other people that aren't family or friends."

Mars nodded, her expression equally tender. "Yeah. But it feels good, doesn't it?"

Billie smiled, her blue eyes shining. "It does."

For the first time in their relationship, they were opening up to the public—letting people see a side of them that had been private, until now, just for the two of them. It was a little scary, but it also felt right. They weren't hiding anymore.

And for Billie, that felt like freedom.