Additional Coverage:
- Billie Eilish called out billionaires. Mark Zuckerberg was in the audience. (businessinsider.com)
Billie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires at Awards Ceremony, Urges Philanthropy
At last night’s WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards, pop superstar Billie Eilish used her acceptance speech to directly address the room’s wealthiest attendees, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and filmmaker George Lucas.
Eilish, who received the music innovator award, encouraged those with significant wealth to use it for good. “If you have money, it would be great to use it for good things and maybe give it to some people that need it,” she stated, drawing cheers from the audience.
She continued, “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?
No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.” This playful yet pointed remark was met with some laughter, though it reportedly became more strained as the gravity of her message set in for some of the ultra-wealthy attendees.
Among those present were Mark Zuckerberg, whose wife Priscilla Chan was honored for her philanthropic work, and George Lucas, who accepted an award with his wife, investor Mellody Hobson, for innovation in design. Zuckerberg’s net worth is estimated at $226.2 billion, while Lucas’s is $5.3 billion.
Representatives for Eilish, Zuckerberg, and Lucas have not yet responded to requests for comment.
It’s worth noting that Chan and Zuckerberg have previously pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares during their lifetimes, and Lucas has committed to giving away at least half of his wealth. He and Hobson also fully funded the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, slated to open next year.
Eilish’s remarks come amidst growing scrutiny of economic inequality and the role of billionaires. Over the summer, protests against billionaires took place in affluent areas like the Hamptons, and New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani frequently targets them.
The singer herself is actively engaged in philanthropy. Earlier in the evening, Stephen Colbert, who presented Eilish with her award, announced that she would be donating $11.5 million from her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour proceeds to combat food insecurity and climate change.
Read More About This Story:
- Billie Eilish called out billionaires. Mark Zuckerberg was in the audience. (businessinsider.com)