SD. Billie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires at WSJ Innovator Awards: “Give Your Money Away, Shorties” 💸🔥
Billie Eilish Calls Out Billionaires at WSJ Innovator Awards: “Give Your Money Away, Shorties” 💸🔥
At the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York City, global pop icon Billie Eilish used her spotlight not to boast — but to boldly challenge the world’s richest to do better.
Standing before a star-studded audience that included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Star Wars creator George Lucas, the 22-year-old Grammy winner urged the ultra-wealthy to open their wallets and their hearts.
“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,” Eilish said.
“If you have money, it would be great to use it for good things — maybe give it to some people that need it.”
The moment came after Stephen Colbert introduced Eilish on stage at the Museum of Modern Art, revealing that she would personally donate $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour to initiatives focused on food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution.
But it was her closing remark that truly electrified the room:
“Love you all, but there’s a few people in here who have a lot more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah — give your money away, shorties.” 😳
The audience responded with a mix of laughter, applause, and visible tension — a rare moment of candor in a space where such truths are often left unsaid.
Eilish’s comments come amid growing global concern over wealth inequality. According to Oxfam International’s 2024 report, “Takers Not Makers,” the number of billionaires worldwide rose by 204 last year alone, underscoring a widening gap between the ultra-rich and the rest of the world.
For Eilish, the message was clear: wealth without compassion isn’t innovation — it’s indifference.
And in a room full of power, she proved once again that using your voice can be just as disruptive as any song on the charts.
💬 What do you think — was Billie brave for speaking up, or did she cross the line by calling them out in person?
