Billie Eilish attends the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards at The Museum of Modern Art on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in New York. AP Photo
Billie Eilish had a powerful message for the world’s wealthiest during a star-studded night in New York.
While accepting a music award at the WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards on Wednesday, the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist used her moment on stage to call for greater empathy and generosity.
“We’re living in a really dark time,” Eilish said, addressing an audience that included Mark Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, and George Lucas. “People need help more than ever — especially in our country. If you have money, use it for good. Give it to people who need it.”
A Heartfelt Plea to the Wealthy
The 22-year-old singer didn’t hold back while speaking to a crowd filled with influential figures and billionaires. “Love you all,” she said with a smile, “but there are a few people here who have a lot more money than me. And if you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but give your money away, shorties.”
Her words drew laughter and applause, but also carried a serious undertone — a reminder that immense wealth comes with social responsibility.
Eilish’s remarks followed her announcement that she would donate $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour earnings to causes promoting food equity, climate justice, and carbon reduction. Late-night host Stephen Colbert, who introduced her, praised her for using her influence to push for meaningful change.
Leading by Example
Through her Changemaker Program, Eilish has long collaborated with the non-profit Reverb to reduce the environmental footprint of the music industry. Her initiatives — including the Music Decarbonization Project and the Music Climate Revolution — encourage sustainability across global tours.
Her appeal comes amid growing concern over extreme wealth inequality. According to a 2024 Oxfam International report titled Takers Not Makers, the number of billionaires worldwide continues to surge — with 204 new billionaires added this year alone. The same report revealed that billionaire wealth increased three times faster in 2024 than in 2023.
Oxfam warned that at least five people could become trillionaires within the next decade. The organization urged higher taxes on the rich, limits on CEO pay, and stronger regulations to promote fair wages and break up monopolies.
A Debate Rooted in History
Calls for the wealthy to share their fortunes are not new. In 1889, industrialist Andrew Carnegie wrote The Gospel of Wealth, arguing that the rich have a moral duty to give back.
More than a century later, Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett launched the Giving Pledge in 2010 — a commitment for billionaires to donate at least half of their wealth during their lifetime or after death.
Fifteen years on, only 256 billionaires have joined the pledge. A recent report by the Institute for Policy Studies revealed that many who signed it have yet to fulfill their promises — with most of their fortunes growing instead of shrinking.
Chuck Collins, co-author of the report, says Eilish’s words reflect a growing frustration with economic inequality. “Philanthropy can’t replace a fair tax system,” he noted. “To fix extreme inequality, we need progressive taxation and accountability, not just charity.”
As Eilish left the stage, her message lingered — a mix of humor, honesty, and hope. Her call wasn’t just directed at billionaires in the room, but at anyone with the power to make a difference.
