Billie Eilish made headlines at the 2025 WSJ Innovator Awards in New York City on October 29, 2025, where she received the music innovator award. The 23-year-old artist used her acceptance speech to address the wealth disparity in society, directly calling out billionaires in attendance, including Mark Zuckerberg.
During her speech, Eilish expressed, “Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me.” She challenged billionaires, saying, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but give your money away, shorties.” Eilish emphasized the pressing need for compassion and support, stating, “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.”
The singer, known for her hit song “Bad Guy,” concluded with a powerful message, urging those with wealth to use it for good: “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.” Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, was present at the event with his wife, Priscilla Chan. His net worth is estimated to be around $227.9 billion, while Eilish has a reported net worth of $50 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth.com.
Eilish, who has faced scrutiny as a “nepo baby” due to her parents’ backgrounds in acting, showcased her commitment to social causes by announcing a donation of $11.5 million from her recent Hit Me Hard and Soft World Tour. These funds will support charities focused on fighting food inequity and addressing climate change.
In a related interview published in WSJ Magazine on the same day as the awards, Eilish discussed her efforts to make the tour more sustainable. She implemented practices such as plant-based catering, biodegradable confetti, and the use of recycled cotton for merchandise.
Eilish has also been vocal about humanitarian issues, urging Congress to support aid for Gaza. Recently, she responded to a TikTok video by popular children’s content creator, Ms. Rachel, highlighting the struggles faced by Palestinian children, including limited access to food and baby formula. Eilish took action by tagging several congressional leaders, including Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Adam Schiff, in a call for support.
Through her actions and words, Billie Eilish continues to leverage her platform to advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian aid. Her willingness to address wealth inequality directly at a high-profile event has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of the wealthy in addressing global issues.
