Up close and personal with Bill from the meme everyone kept sharing in late 2015 and early 2016.
A lot of controversy surrounds the man from the meme known simply as Bill, and we were eager to learn more about him. A lot of people, mostly the ones that share his memes, support Bill’s policy of scrolling past things that offend him on the Internet, and not being a dick in general. On the other hand some think that Bill should stop telling them what to do.
When I spoke with Bill he was just a made up character created by an Italian man named Eugeniu Croitoru, who is described on his Facebook page as a beginner music producer. This is a fictional narrative that I wrote and any resemblance to real people is purely a coincidence. Bill has been working a lot since his meme went viral in early 2015, and recently made his debut as a club DJ.
Hi, Bill. Thanks for taking the time.
What do you say to people who think you should go away?
They only prove my point about scrolling past things that offend you on the Internet. I mean when the meme came out all of these blogs – Mashable, Popsugar, Time Magazine, BBC News, the Washington Post wrote one — published articles saying that people should avoid being like me. They all came out at the same time in January, almost as though someone, some hater, had sent out a press release. Anyway the fact that you dislike the meme so much that you have to take time out of your day to blog about it is ridiculous!
Don’t some people find you passive aggressive?
Those people are fuckwads. I will tell them so to their face if they want to come at me. Remember I’m not the one who writes all the memes, I was only featured in the first good one about not trolling others. Of course somebody with a horrible opinion was going to turn it into a stupid joke using Photoshop. The Internet is full of half-baked memes. Just look at the Republican party!
How did you think of the original meme?
Eugene and I — that’s what I call him because I speak English — were hanging out in Italy smoking hashish and drinking wine. It just sort of came really organically. You know? We were talking about how people need to mind their own business on social media, and all the sudden he was like, “Bro, do you want to be in a meme?” Of course I said yes.
And you’re a club DJ now?
Oh yeah. You know pretty much anyone with a large enough social community can get booked at Hakkasan Las Vegas these days. I was already doing the party circuit so this was just a natural progression for me. Growing up I’ve always had a musical upbringing. I’m working on a remix with Eugene. I’m already scheduled for like eight festivals. It’s going to be sick.
What kind of music do you play?
Mostly Top 40, pop, hip hop and EDM.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
I’m a fan of house music pioneers like Bad Boy Bill. I’m super into old school stuff such as Bill Withers and Bill Haley. Kill Bill is a cool movie even though it kind of freaks me out. Bill Clinton was the greatest US president ever.
Is there any truth to the romance rumors?
Emily and I are very private people. We don’t go in for all that typical LA stuff. Of course you can find out all about that on our upcoming reality series on cable television, in which we delve into our personal affairs in front of God and everyone. But then doesn’t really matter because they’re just a bunch of trivial rich people problems that a team of producers and agents made up in their heads.
Wow. I can’t believe you just said that.
It doesn’t even matter. People believe what they want to believe.
What about your various social media beefs?
It’s like I just can’t help myself. I love leaving smart ass comments on people’s wack shit. I’m coming up and they need to recognize!
Take it easy there, Bill.
I’m sorry. Sometimes I get excited about stuff.
That’s okay. Do have anything else to say?
Yes. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @belikebill. Then watch my new show premiering this fall! Bill kills! Literally!
Elizabeth de Moya lives near San Diego, CA. She volunteers for the birds, and she works at the zoo. She is going back to school to study pre veterinary medicine. She has a BA in Linguistics from UC Berkeley.