Billie Eilish Urges Billionaires to Increase Philanthropic Efforts at WSJ Innovator Awards New York, NY – Pop sensation Billie Eilish used her platform at the WSJ. Innovator Awards on Wednesday night to deliver a potent message to the world’s wealthiest individuals, challenging them to contribute more to global causes. Eilish, 23, was honored with the Music Innovator Award, an occasion she leveraged to advocate for greater empathy and financial generosity from billionaires. During her acceptance speech, Eilish announced that her recent "Hit Me Hard and Soft" tour had successfully raised over $11.5 million. These funds are earmarked for The Changemaker Program, a charitable initiative dedicated to supporting organizations worldwide that address pressing issues such as food insecurity and the climate crisis. Eilish did not shy away from directly addressing the affluent audience, which reportedly included figures like Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan. "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," Eilish stated from the podium. She continued, "If you have money, it would be great to use it for good things and maybe give it to some people that need it." In a particularly pointed moment, she asked, "If you're a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?" She concluded with a direct appeal: "Give your money away, shorties. Love you guys. Thank you so much." Her remarks have ignited considerable discussion across social media platforms, with many praising her courage and commitment to social responsibility. The speech underscores a growing public sentiment regarding the role of extreme wealth in addressing global challenges.
Billie EIlish has called out the billionaires and urged them to use their money to help people "that need it" while giving away over $11m to charity.
