Billie Eilish reflects on fame, COVID-19 in 2020 annual Vanity Fair interview

Much has changed for Billie Eilish in four years.

The teen music phenomenon, who swept all four major categories at this year's Grammy Awards, began a yearly interview project with Vanity Fair when she was 15. Every year since, Eilish has revisited the interview, reflecting on her past and updating fans on what's next.

This year, the now 18-year-old artist is far from the up-and-comer she was in 2016. She once celebrated her first late-night TV appearance as someone who "might get recognized once a week"; now she's a 5-time Grammy winner turning to fellow stars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande for guidance on navigating fame as a young performer.

"Before COVID, I (didn't) go in public anyway, because it's a complete disaster," she said, reflecting on how often fans recognize her and her signature green hair in the interview conducted in October and released Nov. 30.

With more fame comes more scrutiny. She addressed a paparazzi photo of her from earlier this year – Eilish has been open about her decision to wear baggy clothing so "nobody can have an opinion" about her body. The photo featuring her in a tank top garnered body-shaming comments from the public.

"Everyone was like, 'Damn, Billie got fat.' And I was like, 'No, this is just how I look, you've just never seen it before," she said.

Ultimately, Eilish hopes her messages about body positivity can make an impact on her young fans.

“The reason people are looking up to you is because you’re you. They’re not looking up to you so that you’ll tell them something that you would never actually tell them," she said. "They’re looking up to you so that you tell them something that you would tell them yourself. love having kids relate to me and tell me that I make them feel comfortable in their bodies. Like, if I can do anything I want to do that.”

This year obviously didn't end up looking the way Eilish expected – COVID-19 meant she had to stay home instead of performing a world arena tour. While 2019 Eilish wanted to buy herself a Lamborghini, her 2020 self realizes there are more helpful ways to use her money right now.

"We went to tons of protests. We fought for people. That was a big thing this year too," she said. "We will never stop fighting. I will never stop fighting for you, Breonna (Taylor). I will never stop fighting for all the Black and brown people who have lost their lives to police brutality and literally just racism. I will never stop fighting for you, ever."

More: Rihanna, Lizzo, Billie Eilish, hundreds of entertainers called for police reform

Up next for Eilish: She has 16 new songs in the works – does that mean a sophomore album could be coming soon? Perhaps by the time her fifth annual interview rolls around.

"I will say I have made and created things that I don't think I ever would have without this period of time," she said, referring to her time off due to the coronavirus pandemic. "I would like for things to be normal though again, but I will say I'm grateful for what it's given me."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Billie Eilish in 2020 Vanity Fair interview talks COVID-19, fame