Billie Ellish urges billionaires to 'give your money away'

Billie Eilish has taken aim at billionaires.

The Grammy and Oscar-winning artist, has pledged to donate $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour to charities supporting climate action, food equity, and environmental sustainability.

Currently in the final three weeks of her 106-show international tour, which has sold over two million tickets, the 23-year-old singer announced her plans at The Wall Street Journal Magazine’s Music Innovator of the Year event in New York on Wednesday, 29 October.

During her acceptance speech, Eilish questioned why the ultra-wealthy are not doing more to help those in need.

“We’re in a time right now when the world is really, really bad and really dark,” Eilish said.

“People need empathy and help more than ever, especially in our country. I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things and maybe give it to some people that need it.”

After a short round of applause, she continued: “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.”

Eilish has long been vocal about environmental and social issues.

In a 2023 Rolling Stone interview, she said that while she has never aimed to be a role model, she hopes her advocacy for sustainability and conscious living inspires others.

“If you’re going to think I’m a role model, think I’m a role model in terms of trying to save the environment, being more conscious of how you live, your carbon footprint, and your contribution to animal agriculture,” she said.

In 2022, Eilish also signed Global Citizen’s open letter urging world leaders and billionaires to take stronger action against poverty and the climate crisis, a mission she continues to champion both on and off stage.

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