Billie Eilish’s older brother Finneas O’Connell has found success as a songwriter and producer right along side his younger sister, and now the 22-year-old has shared his best advice for ‘young creatives.’
But the advice — to ‘work super hard alone’ and ‘let [people] come to you’ — has struck many people as both tone-deaf and clueless.
Exasperated Twitter users have accused Finneas, 22, of being oblivious to the benefits of his own privilege, pointing out that he and Billie grew up in LA and have a mom who works in the music industry.
Yikes! Billie Eilish’s brother, whom she frequently collaborates with, has shared advice for young creatives that critics are calling ‘tone deaf”
Ooookay, dude… Finneas O’Connell told people to work hard and not pester others for help — just expect them to come to you if you’re good
‘A piece of advice to young creatives,’ Finneas wrote on Sunday. ‘”Shooting your shot” is promoted widely and I think honestly, it’s a little overrated.
‘Work super hard alone or with your closest friends. Make s*** so good it speaks for itself. Don’t pester people to work with you, let them come to you.’
The tweet earned 37,000 replies and several supportive replies — but was also inundated with criticism.
‘Kinda privileged, that idea that people will come to you,’ wrote one.
‘This couldn’t be more ignorant,’ wrote another, while a third called his advice ‘tone deaf.’
‘This is a horrible take and your privilege stinks,’ said yet another.
Several pointed out that he didn’t have to ‘shoot his shot’ because he has connections. His mother, Maggie Baird, is also a working actress who has appeared in episodes of Bones, Six Feet Under, Friends, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The X-Files, and The West Wing. She also self-released an album in 2009.
Easy access? Many pointed out Billie and Finneas are well connected to the industry through their parents; both mom Maggie Baird and dad Patrick O’Connell are successful actors
Nepotism: Several critics pointed this out, saying that it’s easy for Finneas not to reach out personally when his mom and dad might know people
Their father, Patrick O’Connell, has been in episodes of The West Wing, Without a Trace, Supergirl, and NYPD Blue.
While they’re hardly superstars, while working in Hollywood they have certainly built some industry connections, and are likely to know at least a few well-placed people that could have helped their childrens’ careers.
‘Nepotism evasion at its finest. Somebody came to them ‘by accident’ — sure, sure,’ snarked one commenter.
‘I don’t think everyone’s parents were actors/actresses in the media industry like yours,’ said another. ‘I believe no one would have heard of you or Billie if you hadn’t had the same parental guidance or made some effort to network and shoot your shot… talent isn’t all that’s required.’
Others noted that he and Billie grew up in Los Angeles, placing them geographically close to record labels.
‘I feel like that isn’t an option for the majority of people… people without roots in LA/other industry hubs, preexisting connections etc,’ wrote one.
They also noted that he’s had the financial stability to dedicate most of his time to his creative projects.
On his own merits! Critics have piled on with attacks on his obliviousness to his own privilege — and the fact that he doesn’t seem to think luck played into is success
‘Spoken like someone born to two actors in LA. Here’s my piece of advice: check your privilege,’ wrote one. ‘Some of us have full time jobs, and are desperate to escape those conditions. My dad was a mechanic. I can’t even afford his funeral. I have $700 in my bank. So yeah, I’ll shoot my shot.’
Others lectured him about his white privileged, noting that a person of color who doesn’t know anyone in the music industry could hardly just work hard and hope someone would notice them.
‘You really need to check your privilege of 1. Being white. 2. Having some sort of industry connections. And the first is the greater privilege,’ wrote one.
‘Someone much more talented and hard-working than you is still not getting their break cause of their personal conditions that they’re born into and can do nothing about.’
‘WORST advice ever,’ said another. ‘I built something out of nothing and I HUSTLED my a** off. Being POC, Gay, & not having a lot of privileges makes you work twice as hard. I don’t wait for people to come to me. I SHOW them why they need me. & some of my best work is from SHOOTING MY SHOT.’
Finally, dozens were shocked that Finneas didn’t realize the way luck comes into play with success.
Awareness: Several also noted that Finneas is also ignoring his white privilege
One asked: ‘When will millionaires realize they all got lucky?’
‘I have to disagree with you in this finneas,’ wrote another. ‘It worked for you two but it’s a rare case. Tons of artists are overlooked due to lack of exposure or luck being discovered by the right people. The world is full of talented people, struggles of some are different from your story.’
‘If that was the case, many artists who have lots of potential shouldn’t be as underrated as they are atm,’ said yet another. ‘Sometimes it’s not about that and just about pure luck.’
Finneas has since attempted to defend himself, saying that he wasn’t as financially well-off as some commenters have implied.
‘During my life time, our parents were never able to fully financially support us off of their work as actors. Our dad worked 12 hour days 7 days a week as a construction worker for Mattel and our mom was a teacher. Our parents gave us love but knew no one in the record industry,’ he said.
‘I paid off their mortgage last year and Billie pays them each salaries to tour with us full time though they have told us many times they would work for us for free.
‘Anyone who saw us tour in 2019 knows our dad insists on sweeping the stage each night before we perform.’
He has not, however, answered those who’ve pointed out his connections to the industry.