Billie Eilish Called Out Billionaires At An Award Ceremony, Telling Them To Give Away Their Money
“If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.”
American singer Billie Eilish called out billionaires to give away money at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards after she donated US$11.5 million from her recent tour.
The 23-year-old was awarded the Music Innovator Award at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
In her award acceptance speech, Eilish called out billionaires, saying, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.”
Just before she took the stage, host Stephen Colbert announced that Eilish was donating US$11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to groups working on food equity, climate justice and reducing carbon pollution.
Eilish said the state of the world “is really, really bad and really dark and people need empathy and help,” urging billionaires to use their wealth “for good things” and “give it to some people that need it.”
“Love you all, but there’s a few people in here who have a lot more money than me,” Eilish said, calling out people in the audience.
The audience included billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, the third richest person in the world, and his wife Priscilla Chan, as well as stars like beauty entrepreneur Hailey Bieber, filmmaker Spike Lee and George Lucas.
Zuckerberg did not clap after Eilish’s comments, according to Business Insider.
Eilish’s speech quickly went viral.
Eilish has supported Gaza, Black Lives Matter, veganism and climate action, and has used her tours to fund sustainability and mental-health programs.
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