Billie Piper is one of the biggest names in British show business. The 39-year-old has tried her hand at just about every form of entertainment over the course of her 26 years in the spotlight, and is now considered to be the queen of reinvention. Piper’s been a pop singer, TV star, theatre actress, writer, and filmmaker, and her restless spirit sees her continue to experiment with new mediums and roles.
Piper first made her name as a singer at the tender age of 15, when her debut single 'Because We Want To' rocketed to number one. From 1996 onwards, Piper released various singles and albums (three of her singles reaching No.1 in the charts) but soon tired of her status as music star. By 2003, she had decided to move away from pop and focus upon her burgeoning acting career. So why did Billie decide to end her singing career so early? Read on to find out.
6 Billie Piper Burst Onto The Music Scene In 1996
Piper had begun her performing career at just 13 years old when she first appeared in kids show Scratchy and Co. When she moved into singing professionally, her debut single ‘Because We Want To’ immediately shot to UK number one, making young Billie - at just 15 years old - the youngest person ever to have a UK number one. She became a household name immediately, and struggled with the shift from relative unknown to super stardom at such a young age.
5 But Things Were Over So Quickly
Everything Billie did made newspaper headlines, and the public grew more and more interested in this young star, with her powerful voice and striking looks. Though Billie continued to produce new music, releasing two albums - Honey to the B and Walk of Life - and nine singles - her career in music pretty much ended by the time she turned 18. Piper made a formal announcement about her decision to leave singing behind in favor of acting.
4 Billie Piper Constantly Likes To Try New Things
Though being drawn to acting is a simple explanation as to why Billie walked away at the height of her success, it isn't the whole story. In truth, Billie likes to reinvent, and touched upon this aspect of her personality in an interview with NME.
Piper claimed to be surprised by people who question her move:
“I’m always amazed when people say that, because to me it all just feels like obvious next steps. I’m not sat at home thinking about how to reinvent myself… I’m just quite curious as a person… and I’m not satisfied doing one thing. I guess I’m restless on some level.”
3 Billie Piper Doesn't Dwell On Her Past Pop Career
Though Billie enjoyed aspects of her time at the top of the pops she doesn't think about it all that much.
“I can’t remember much about [my pop career[, which I think says a lot about it,” she said. “The only things I can remember are fun things, which I think, again, says a lot. It’s not something I would be keen for my kids to do, in the way that I did it. [That time] benefited my life and it has taken from my life.”
2 She Used To Feel Negatively About Her Music Career, But Is Now At Peace With It
Billie was almost embarrassed by her foray into pop, and distanced herself from it for many years before making peace with it: “I feel like I’ve slightly pushed through that." Billie said. "I think a lot of that is due to having kids. I think my compassion for my younger self has grown from having children of my own.”
Billie says she just “stopped doing it and went and had fun.” She went a little wild.
“It was my version of uni, I guess. Just out drinking, having a laugh… It was some sort of takeback for myself, and that felt important.”
1 Seeing What Has Happened To Britney Spears Makes Billie Piper Think About Her Own Experiences
Billie says she “really felt” for Britney Spears, having witnessed the similar pressures she endured as a singer, with the impossible expectation of being both pure and sexualized. “I know what a lot of that feels like, but she had it on a whole different level. She was world famous, whereas I was quite locally famous.”
“It makes me really angry, because a lot of that isn’t what it’s like to be a famous person, it’s what it feels like to be female and be called mad because you’re driven mad by something. You’re not born crazy. You’re driven mad by certain things. Then you’re used and hung out to dry. That’s what made me feel cross and sad.”
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGiuobFdl7atuMieZKmhoJq%2FbrHNnWSsoZ6ctq%2BzjJyYq52Vp3w%3D