Singer Billie Eilish has called on the world’s richest individuals to use their wealth to make a positive impact, as she announced a major charitable donation from her latest tour.
The 23-year-old Grammy winner made the remarks while accepting the Music Innovator Award at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Wednesday.
Taking the stage,Billie Eilish used her acceptance speech to appeal to the star-studded audience to show more compassion and generosity.
“We’re in a time right now where the world is really, really bad and really dark and people need empathy and help more than, kind of, ever, especially in our country,” she said.
“I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things, maybe give it to some people that need it.”
The What Was I Made For? hitmaker also addressed the billionaires in attendance directly.
“Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me,” she continued. “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.”
Billie Eilish remarks drew laughter and applause from the audience, which included Mark Zuckerberg, Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Hailey Bieber, George Lucas, Spike Lee, Karlie Kloss, and Questlove.
Reports note that Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta and co-founder of Facebook, did not join in the applause at the end of her speech.
Before Billie Eilish’s address, Stephen Colbert revealed that she would be donating $11.5 million (£9 million) from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour.
“I also have the privilege of breaking a little news tonight. Thank you, Billie, for allowing me to do this. It’s extraordinary,” Colbert said.
“Billie Eilish will be donating proceeds from her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour to support organisations, projects, and voices dedicated to food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution, and combating the climate crisis,” he added. “That donation, ladies and gentlemen, will be $11.5 million.”
Colbert concluded with a heartfelt note:
“That’s wonderful. Billie, on behalf of humans everywhere, thank you.”
