2 minute readrundown
Billie Eilish won the Music Innovator Award at the 2025 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards in New York City. During her speech, Eilish encouraged wealthy people to use their money for “good things.” Later, host Stephen Colbert announced that Eilish had donated $11.5 million to various organizations.
Billie Eilish used her onstage moment at the WSJ Magazine 2025 Innovator Awards to send a message to the wealthy.
The “Birds of a Feather” singer spoke candidly to the crowd Wednesday night as she accepted the Music Innovator Award at a ceremony at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. “We’re in a really, really bad, really dark time in the world right now, especially in our country, where people need empathy and help more than ever,” she said. “If you have money, I think it’s good to use it for good and give it to people who need it.”
Eilish continued, “I love you all, but there are some people here who have more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, donate your money, little people.”
Before her speech, host Stephen Colbert revealed that Eilish would be donating the $11.5 million she earned from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to help others.
“Billie Eilish will donate proceeds from her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour to support organizations, projects, and voices dedicated to food equity, climate justice, reducing carbon pollution, and combating the climate crisis,” Colbert said. “Folks, that donation will be $11.5 million. That’s amazing. Billy, on behalf of humanity around the world, thank you.”
Eilish attended the event with her mother, Maggie Baird, wearing a navy blazer and skirt layered over a gray sweater and collared shirt.
She joins other honorees including Hailey Bieber, Ben Stiller and Spike Lee.
