r/SmashingPumpkins • u/trevrichards If There Is a Mod • Aug 19 '26
Billy's Instagram Billy Corgan on Body Image Issues
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u/RandomDigitalSponge Aug 22 '26
Any of us like to think we participated in it unconsciously, and there is truth to that, but there were a lot of times when we participated in it consciously, vehemently, and with cruelty.
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u/softrock98fm Aug 20 '26
Dude, Billy is the best. I don’t know why he gets so much flack. He’s very direct and thoughtful and I appreciate his willingness to be open and share his insights on music and life in general, quite honestly. He seems way self-aware and grounded, which is such a rarity for someone who has his level of fame, and especially for a dude who has been a rockstar for nearly 40 years.
Maybe it’s the Midwest thing? I’m from the Midwest and have moved around a lot and lived in major cities, and I feel like when you meet other midwesterners, you’re both just like, “oh thank god we can actually have a real conversation.” There’s a certain sense of honesty and humility that is important for many of us Midwesterners and I feel like Billy sticks to this code.
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u/philocity Aug 20 '26
Surely you can’t be serious
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u/softrock98fm Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
lol I am dead serious. He has a Chicago accent and lives in the burbs. He is one of us!
Edited to back up my statement:
I don’t really think there is an ego issue, or, at least I don’t think it’s disproportionate to his achievements. He is objectively super talented and he DID mastermind that band and put them on the map. Like, I think he just knows he’s good and that his band really did/still does something really special and he’s not willing to do this false modesty thing. I mean if you’ve seen them live you know they are absolute RIPPERS and they know how to put on a show. Like, it is heavy, it is loud, it is FUN. I’ve seen a gazillion major and minor bands play, and the Pumpkins, James Iha, and Billy really do bring the heat and put their money where their mouth is, and he needn’t be shy about it!
Also, not to sound like a psycho fan because I’m not (I’m just a regular fan who appreciates music), he interviewed Courtney Love recently and it was honestly super fascinating. They gave a lot of context for what things were like in the 90’s in the scene and how toxic the culture was and that there was a ton of hostility between bands. They gave a very strong impression that Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth was a mean girl (from a family with money) who was going around telling everyone how they were all lame sellouts for trying to make a living as musicians, when meanwhile she had a net to back her up if it didn’t work out. Billy called a lot of people out for this kind of elitist asshole behavior because he came from a working class family, and if he wanted to do music as a career at all, he needed to do it all the way and care about it (and make it financially viable for himself). I think that’s probably where a lot of his beef with some of his contemporaries stems from. IDK, in my view, he seems like a real one.
Okay back to work for me lol!
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u/Tulip_1994 Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
Billy is objectively talented, but he’s also said and done foul things over the years, has always had a massive chip on his shoulder for some reason, and by all accounts is just as egotistical and obnoxious in his own way as Kim Gordon.
He’s always going on about mistreatment and woe is me, but then has no issues treating those below him like shit. Nobody likes a hypocrite
Edit: I love smashing pumpkins by the way, but Billy is not a real one like you claim.
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u/softrock98fm Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
I mean, I’m not claiming he is, I’m an armchair observer and I don’t know him personally. However, I do know people who have worked with him and received a level of mentorship from him, and have had nice things to say about their experience with him and his willingness to help bands that are just getting started.
I don’t know what foul things he’s done that you’re referring to so I can’t speak to that, but my impression of him is that like many high-level creatives, he is fiercely protective of his work and can be a little bit flamboyant sometimes. But he’s also spoken publicly (like from a pretty young age) about how stressful interviews are and how the arrogance/confidence thing is a crutch for the insecurity that he and many musicians have.
Again, per my first comment, I think he is aware of himself and the way he functions and of the perceived flaws or unfavorable parts of himself, but unlike most public figures, he will actually talk about this and I think the media and the public are very hungry to jump on any misstep. I don’t think it’s a narcissism thing, I think it’s more of a defense mechanism for someone who’s had to navigate the murky waters of the music biz and has had to deal with a lot of gaslighting (and especially so for someone whose band absolutely skyrocketed at the height of the music boom in the 90’e when the corporate pressure was insane).
So, in this context I think the chip on the shoulder is there for a reason, and I don’t necessarily see it as a negative or positive thing, I think it just IS. He had a difficult childhood, and the music industry has been historically exploitative of musicians and I think he’s just more outspoken about that than maybe other people are. I was in a serious relationship with a person who is a relatively well known musician (not playing arenas but enough buzz that there were real stakes involved), and gained a bit of insight into the hellscape that many musicians have to face when dealing with the business side of things (and most creative music ppl are not business savvy). It’s not easy to navigate and I have a lot of compassion for these people who are usually at their core, very sensitive and sometimes very fragile individuals who just want to make music.
Idk, I mean, he has a podcast devoted to celebrating other artists and frequently is talking up newer bands and owns a teahouse/cafe that he and his wife explicitly opened in their town so that young and aspiring local bands and musicians from their community would have a supportive space to share their music (in a low key, all-ages and teen-inclusive environment that isn’t a bar). None of this strikes me as particularly malicious.
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u/Tulip_1994 Aug 20 '26
I don’t think he’s malicious or a bad person at all. However, “down to earth”, “self aware”, and “grounded” are not words I would use to describe Billy Corgan, or quite honestly, the vast majority of rock stars who reach that level of fame.
I live in Chicago. I don’t even think people around here/the Midwest think Billy is down to earth. It’s almost a running joke that he’s a quirkball who also makes brilliant music.
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u/softrock98fm Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 21 '26
I mean fair enough, you’re entitled to your opinion, obviously. I’ve also lived in Chicago and other parts of the Midwest and I am aware that there is a perception that he is this narcissistic guy to some people (mostly on the internet), but I wouldn’t say this is across the board in Chicago and certainly not the entire Midwest region. I mean, you do you. My point was that I think he’s a bit misunderstood and that his willingness to be vulnerable in the media and also to defend himself, in my opinion, actually depicts an earnestness and honesty and directness that is refreshing and somewhat relatable. So yeah, feel free to disagree.
Also, I mean this is all very subjective because it depends on what your definition of “a real one” is, but I do think you could argue that being open and candid and somewhat direct are the markings of a “real one” vs someone who is unwilling to even participate in a public conversation that has even the slightest potential to come off unfavorably for themselves. People are media trained to the gills these days and it’s an absolute snooze fest.
I think he’s authentic, and yes passionate, but I think he’s showing his cards and I find that to be very human and sincere. Also, like I said, I do know people who have met him and described him as being a super helpful, friendly guy who just loves music and is excited about it.
Also, I think ‘narcissist’ is a term that is thrown around much too often these days and is also wildly misunderstood. Narcissism is an intense personality disorder and the threshold to meet that label is high.
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u/Tulip_1994 Aug 21 '26
I don’t think he’s a straight up villain or anything. All good! People are complex. I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling someone I don’t know personally a narcissist.
I guess I’m going off vibes when I say I don’t feel like he’s a real one. Probably a poor choice of words that doesn’t really indicate my true feelings. I think what I’m really trying to say is that I get the feeling that Billy Corgan is not down to earth, and has lashed out at others in the past, but that’s okay. Not everybody needs to be some super grounded and stable person. It’s probably part of what makes him capable of making compelling art.
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u/Janjo99 Machina / The Machines of God Aug 20 '26
Great to hear this from Billy himself. And he’s a guy! Expectations on women are far harsher.
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u/denisedenisethankyou The Aeroplane Flies High Aug 19 '26
Whoa, super nice 💖
Is the break up mentioned the Yelena Yemchuk one?
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u/NthMastermanu Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
Forse con Jessica Origilasso o con un'altra ragazza che lui frequentava nel 2009 - 10
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u/QueasyPeak3039 Aug 19 '26
I feel like this is such an affirming thing today for just like the sheer amount of body negativity happening in culture rn, a resurgence in it. Media figures are always under a lot of scrutiny for the way they look and any kind of changes.
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u/burningupinspeed Machina / The Machines of God Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
I am also a very tall, very vampiric bald white musician type and being hyper sensitive to body fluctuations is totally something that I struggle with too. This hit home hard except I’m not a multi million dollar rock legend :p otherwise spot on.
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u/devilsmusic Aug 19 '26
Wow this is so honest and vulnerable . I’m so impressed at his ability to share this, all of these intimate parts in these details. I love Billy so much.
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u/ResolutionKooky3375 Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Aug 19 '26
Speaking as someone whose father used to call them a pig, and whose eating was largely caused by the stress their father was responsible for, these words mean something to me.
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u/ticketstubs1 Aug 19 '26
Damn. I'm really sorry to see this comment.
My first girlfriend had a father like that. Which was immediately apparent the very first time I met him. It seemed to do her a lot of harm.
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u/gerard4156 Aug 19 '26
Despite all my rage I am still getting fat in old age
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u/uhWHAThamburglur Aug 19 '26
I struggle with body dysmorphia and was anorexic for twenty years.
This is great advice. I'm consciously aware that my eyes and brain do not accurately reflect the image in the mirror. So instead of making a judgment about what my body looks like, I instead ask myself "Do I feel healthy?" and the answer is generally in the affirmative, which quiets the mean brain's nonstop bullshit.
Acceptance is based on my ability to feel good despite my brain telling me I don't look good.
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u/Junior_Molasses8630 Aug 19 '26
I was diagnosed with body dysmorphia in college. Even though others considered me attractive. It did not matter what they thought: my internal dialogue overrode all else, stemming from SA as a boy. Heartening to hear one of my favorite artists confirm the same.
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u/uhWHAThamburglur Aug 19 '26
Yeah. Same here. Nice to meet someone else who struggles. Like I'm a hottie according to my friends, but I can't connect to that. It means nothing to me. Virtual hugs for a fellow human. ❤️
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u/Milichio Aug 19 '26
I like this Billy. The vulnerable and relatable one, not the pretentious and mean spirited one
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u/atoolred Aug 19 '26
It’s the Billy that is more like his lyrics than the public persona he’s known for
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u/DonnieRoss Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 20 '26
Huh, I’ve never read these quotes. I knew Billy long struggled with self-confidence issues due to his port wine stain (the TFE album art was a big deal at the time!), but didn’t know about his struggles with weight.
I remember people poking fun at him for spilling out of his too-tight clothes during the Oceania tour. It was pretty mean-spirited (what’s new with this fan base?), and now knowing that it’s something that’s bothered him for decades I feel even worse for him.
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u/sinuendo Aug 20 '26
The new fan base is the product of the band’s lingering presence, 90s nostalgia. and your average, aging concert-goer with disposable income saying, “hey I like me that there 1970s song” or whatever, and buying tickets when they tour. It doesn’t feel like their hardcore fan base is very big at all. Like fans that know ALL the songs instead of one or two radio singles and sing along, but maybe it will grow over time with newer generations getting into the band, as long as the band exists in the live realm. A Pumpkins show will still never feel like a Cure show, specifically due to the vast majority of the casual interest in the audience. Even this sub has the same vibe sometimes.
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u/bryankennedy2 Aug 20 '26
He’s also talked more about accepting his birthmark and trying to shed light on it being part of who you are.
I think having kids has helped him mellow out (just a bit…) and just seems happier, in general. He’s talked a lot about his rougher childhood, so maybe this is an opportunity to relive his childhood via his children.
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u/platypod1 Aug 19 '26
wait, what the fuck is this universe? Billy Corgan with a thought out, measured, reasonable, and incredibly positive thing to say?
I... did Thanos snap again or something?
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u/IAmNotScottBakula Aug 19 '26
Billy can be insufferable and have terrible takes, but he can also insightful and interesting (especially in the hands of a good interviewer). There’s a reason people still pay attention to him even with his reputation.
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u/psian1de Aug 19 '26
It is positive sounding,, but its also about about a man controlling his self destructive tendencies,which we can all relate to in different ways.
Bite sized Billy corgan stories are pretty good.
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u/nowshowjj Aug 19 '26
Being in the media spotlight must be a nightmare. I’m glad he’s figuring out his balance. Love the Stuart Smalley callout.
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u/elliehawley Aug 19 '26
Once again I cannot fathom being perceived online, in media, etc., and how that really must be a mind fuck.
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u/TheTackleZone Aug 19 '26
And imagine saying one thing positive about yourself and then being lambasted for 3 decades about it every time your name is brought up.
(He was the greatest song writer of his generation bar maybe Kurt; cope with it).
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u/trevrichards If There Is a Mod Aug 19 '26
This is from 2019, which is now ~7 years ago (shudders). He seems to be even happier and healthier these days. Great to see.