HOME / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Jesse Rutherford BLASTED for dating Billie Eilish with 11-year age gap, fans say 'groomer, period'

Fans are calling Jesse Rutherford, 31, a groomer as the lead singer of The Neighbourhood first met Billie Eilish, 20, when she was underage

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The young romance between pop star Billie Eilish and The Neighbourhood singer Jesse Rutherford appears to have caught the eye of the public in a wrong sense that has led to the latter receiving backlash from netizens. The 'Ocean Eyes' singer is 20 years old while her alleged new beau is 31. While the 11-year age gap is already triggering the fans, some even state that the pair knew each other when Eilish was only 15. 

The pop duo went public with their romance earlier this week when they were captured making their way out of a haunted maze at Halloween Horror Nights in Los Angeles on Friday, October 14. They were again pictured sharing a PDA moment after a romantic dinner date at an Indian restaurant in Studios City. While the couple is yet to address any of the dating speculations, it looks like the 20-year-olds' fans are not having any of it. 

READ MORE

Billie Eilish becomes two versions of herself in dreamy, noir-inspired Gucci Eyewear campaign

'They are so normal': Billie Eilish recalls how she forgot all protocol on meeting members of the royal family

Fans are calling Jesse Rutherford a groomer as the lead singer of The Neighbourhood knew Billie Eilish when she was underage. "People aren't understanding this... it doesn't matter if Jesse Rutherford met Billie Eilish only once when she was 15... she got famous a few years later, and her age became fully public. He knows she was 15 when he met her. Groomer. Period," a fan tweeted. 

Another fan shared, "Not cool that jesse rutherford is willing to date billie eilish with that age difference like that's a fuckin predator man very very gross and upsetting." "Putting the billie eilish thing in perspective, she’s my age (15 mo older) and jesse rutherford is like 3 months younger than my GROWN ASS MAN brother-in-law," a Twitter user compared the age gap with a real-life situation. 

Some fans, on the other hand, did not see a problem with the age difference between the two and came through in support of the relationship. "Apparently Billie Eilish is dating Jesse Rutherford of the Neighborhood and people are mad because of the age difference. There is no evidence that they did anything when she was a teen. They are both adults. Respect other people's relationships unless it's blatantly bad," a netizen shared. "Billie Eilish and Jesse Rutherford are dating. I don't understand why you all are so upset. Yes, they met when she was 15. She started gaining attraction at that age; she met with more people than just jesse. Billie is also a grown adult. She isn't a little girl anymore," a fan tweeted.

In the circulated snaps and clips, the couple looks extremely happy and uncaring of the paparazzi that follow their every move. They are spotted indulging in hugs, kisses, and holding hands as they stroll down the streets crazy in love. While the internet is hating on their ongoing romance, this is the first time Billie Eilish has embraced her relationship publicly.