Billie Eilish is no stranger to the spotlight, but on October 29, 2025, she used her moment at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York to do more than just accept another trophy. The 23-year-old Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist took the stage at the Museum of Modern Art, surrounded by some of the world’s most powerful and wealthy figures, and delivered a message that was as pointed as it was playful: she called on billionaires to share their fortunes and to use their resources for the greater good.
"Love you all, but there's a few people in here that have a lot more money than me. If you're a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but give your money away, shorties," Eilish said, her words ringing out to a room that included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, his wife Priscilla Chan, and even Star Wars creator George Lucas, according to IBTimes. The line drew a mix of polite applause, laughter, and perhaps a little discomfort—after all, it’s not every day that the ultra-wealthy are challenged so directly, and in person, by a pop star at an event meant to honor their innovation and influence.
Eilish, who was receiving the Music Innovator Award, didn’t just stop at words. She matched her challenge with action. Before she took the stage, presenter Stephen Colbert announced that Eilish would be donating $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour earnings to organizations focused on food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution—a move reported by both USA Today and IBTimes. The gesture was as much a statement as her speech, underscoring her belief that those with means have a responsibility to do more than just accumulate wealth.
"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 during her acceptance speech. "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." Her words echoed through the hall, a blend of genuine concern and youthful candor that’s become her trademark.
Of course, Eilish’s remarks didn’t come out of nowhere. The debate around wealth inequality has been heating up for years, with economists and campaigners warning that the number of billionaires is rising faster than ever, and that the concentration of wealth at the top is accelerating. According to IBTimes, this trend is happening even as wages stagnate and the cost of living continues to climb for ordinary people. The result, critics say, is a deepening social divide that can’t be bridged by philanthropy alone.
That said, philanthropy has long played a role in how the wealthy manage their legacies. Back in 1889, industrialist Andrew Carnegie penned "The Gospel of Wealth," urging the rich to give away their fortunes during their lifetimes. Fast forward to 2010, and Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett launched the Giving Pledge, encouraging billionaires to donate most of their riches. Yet, as IBTimes points out, only a fraction of those who signed on have actually fulfilled their commitments, and many billionaire fortunes have continued to grow despite their promises to give back.
It’s against this backdrop that Eilish’s comments landed. Her question—"Why are you a billionaire?"—was less an accusation than an invitation to reconsider what it means to be wealthy in a world where so many have so little. And she wasn’t just talking the talk. Eilish has a track record of supporting sustainability and climate initiatives, working through her Changemaker Program and collaborating with environmental organizations like Reverb to make the music industry more climate-conscious. On her recent tour, she made tangible changes: biodegradable confetti, recycled materials, and plant-based catering were all part of her efforts to reduce the environmental impact of her shows. As she told WSJ Magazine, "You can literally make all the same stuff with sustainable materials, and people just aren’t doing it. Everyone can actually do it. It’s just that mostly they don’t."
The audience at the Innovator Awards wasn’t made up solely of tech moguls and entertainment giants. Priscilla Chan, who was honored separately for her work in scientific philanthropy, and Zuckerberg have publicly pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetimes. Their commitment is part of a broader, if sometimes controversial, movement among the ultra-wealthy to give back—though, as critics note, pledges don’t always translate into immediate or transformative action.
Reactions in the room were mixed. Some applauded, others laughed, and a few likely shifted in their seats as Eilish’s words cut through the usual celebration of creativity and achievement. But outside the walls of the museum, her message found resonance with a generation increasingly skeptical of extreme wealth unless it comes with visible social responsibility. According to IBTimes, experts like Chuck Collins, director at a leading economic policy institute, argue that philanthropy, while valuable, is not a substitute for a fair and effective tax system. "Philanthropy is not a substitute for a fair and effective tax system," Collins said. "Extreme inequality will require restoring progressivity, including a wealth tax and fairer income taxes."
Eilish’s speech, then, was more than a moment of celebrity advocacy. It was part of a broader, generational shift—one in which young people are demanding transparency, fairness, and accountability from leaders in politics, culture, and business. They celebrate talent and success, but they’re increasingly wary of vast fortunes that aren’t paired with a sense of duty to the wider world.
For Eilish, the solution is simple, if not always easy: use your platform, and your pocketbook, to make a difference. Her $11.5 million donation is a substantial sum, but perhaps more important is the example it sets. By combining public statements with tangible giving, she’s drawing a line in the sand—one that challenges others, especially those with far greater resources, to follow suit.
The evening at the Museum of Modern Art ended as most award ceremonies do, with applause and celebration. But Eilish’s words lingered, a gentle but firm reminder that the true measure of legacy isn’t just what you build or earn—it’s the impact you leave behind. For the billionaires in the room and beyond, her message was clear: in a world facing urgent crises, empathy and action matter more than ever.
