While accepting WSJ Magazine’s Music Innovator Award on Wednesday (Oct. 29), Billie Eilish didn’t hold back, calling on the billionaires in attendance to use their wealth to make a difference.
“People need empathy and help in our country,” she said during her speech, according to Billboard.
“I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things and give it to some people that need it. Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me. If you are a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?”
She finished her message with a cheeky jab: “No hate, but give your money away, shorties.”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg was reportedly in the audience during Eilish’s speech. According to Forbes, his net worth sits at an estimated $225 billion, ranking him as the fifth-richest person in the world.
But Eilish is leading by example. During the ceremony, Stephen Colbert — who presented her with the award — revealed that she’s donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour to causes focused on food equity, climate justice, carbon reduction, and the fight against climate change.
“Billie, on behalf of humans, thank you very much,” Colbert said.
Other stars recognized at the event included Hailey Bieber, Ben Stiller, and Spike Lee.
Eilish’s generous donation will be distributed among various organizations through her Changemaker Program. Beyond her charitable efforts, the 23-year-old continues to champion sustainability — from offering plant-based meals at her concerts and using biodegradable confetti, to creating merch from recycled cotton and encouraging fans to bring reusable bottles and use public transportation to her shows.
She’s currently on the road for her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour, supporting her third studio album released last year. The tour began in Canada in September 2024, continued across the U.S. from October to December, and picked back up in February with stops in Australia, Europe, the UK, Japan, and eventually back to the U.S.
