Billie Eilish calls on billionaires: “Give your money to charity!”

At the 2025 WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards, Billie Eilish delivered one of the most talked-about speeches of the evening – a heartfelt yet pointed message urging the world’s richest individuals to use their wealth to make a difference.
Her words earned loud applause from much of the audience, while billionaire couple Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan sat in notable silence, their expressions turning the glamorous ballroom momentarily awkward.

Billie Eilish calls on billionaires to “use their money to do good” – Photo: Page Six

A Night of Celebration Turns into a Wake-Up Call

The 2025 Innovator Awards, hosted by WSJ Magazine, took place on the evening of October 29 (local time).
The ceremony celebrates global pioneers in fields such as music, science, fashion, technology, and social innovation.

Comedian Stephen Colbert, who hosted the event, presented Billie Eilish with the “Music Innovator of the Year” award, recognizing her not only for her creative artistry but also for her activism and commitment to sustainability.

Before inviting her on stage, Colbert shared an inspiring fact:

“Billie has donated $11.5 million from her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to organizations fighting hunger and climate change.”

The announcement drew admiration from the crowd, setting the stage for a speech that would soon dominate headlines.

“If You Have Money, Use It for Good”

Taking the stage in her signature understated style, Billie began her acceptance speech with gratitude – but soon shifted to a message far bigger than herself.

“We’re living in a time when the world feels really dark,” she began. “People need empathy and help more than ever – especially in this country.

If you have money, it would be amazing if you used it for good, or helped those who truly need it.”

Her tone was sincere, but her message was sharp. As the room listened, Billie turned her gaze toward the front tables – where some of the wealthiest and most influential guests were seated, including Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, Hailey Bieber, George Lucas, Tory Burch, and Karlie Kloss.

“I love everyone here,” she continued with a wry smile, “but some of you are definitely richer than me.

If you’re a billionaire, why do you even need to be a billionaire? No hate – but seriously, put your money to good use, people!”

Her words drew a mix of laughter, applause, and surprise. Cameras caught much of the audience smiling or clapping in support – except for the Zuckerbergs, who remained stoic and silent. The contrast quickly went viral online.

When contacted later by Page Six, a spokesperson for Meta declined to comment.

Zuckerberg’s Wealth and Philanthropy: A Point of Tension

According to Forbes, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is currently the third-richest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of $257 billion.

Ironically, his wife Dr. Priscilla Chan was also an honoree that evening, receiving the “Science Innovator for Community Impact” award for her work with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) – a foundation focused on developing tools for medical research and disease prevention.

CZI has made headlines for its long-term philanthropic pledges. In fact, during the event, the WSJ Innovator introduction noted that the Zuckerbergs had previously committed to donating 99% of their Meta shares to charity over the course of their lives – one of the largest philanthropic promises ever made.

Even so, Eilish’s words appeared to strike a chord – perhaps reminding the billionaires in attendance that good intentions mean little without visible, ongoing action.

Billie Eilish: Redefining What “Sustainability” Means in Music

Beyond her call for generosity, Billie Eilish has long used her platform to push for sustainability in the music industry. Her Hit Me Hard and Soft world tour was designed to minimize environmental impact – a feat few global pop stars have attempted at her scale.

At each concert, her team provided plant-based food options, used biodegradable confetti, and sold merchandise made from recycled cotton. Fans were encouraged to bring refillable water bottles and use public transportation to attend shows.

In a 2024 interview with Billboard, she spoke candidly about her frustration with wastefulness in music production:

“It’s exhausting,” she said. “I try so hard to live sustainably, to make choices that are better for the planet, and I ask my whole team to do the same.

But then I see some of the biggest artists in the world releasing 40 different vinyl editions of the same album – each with tiny changes – just to get fans to buy more. It’s ridiculous.”

Her comments have sparked important industry-wide conversations about consumerism, ethics, and environmental accountability in entertainment.

Mark Zuckerberg on the red carpet of the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards 2025 – Photo: Page Six

The Room Reacts – and the Internet Explodes

Following her speech, WSJ Magazine’s video clip of the moment began circulating widely on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

Many viewers praised Billie for speaking truth to power in a room filled with billionaires. “She said what needed to be said,” one user wrote. Others noted the tension between her comments and the silent reaction of Zuckerberg and Chan, calling it “the most awkward but honest moment of the night.”

A handful of critics, however, accused Eilish of virtue signaling, arguing that she too profits from a massive entertainment empire. Yet supporters were quick to counter, highlighting her consistent record of giving, activism, and environmental advocacy.

A Voice of Conscience in Pop Culture

Billie Eilish’s remarks underscore her growing reputation as not just a pop icon, but a moral voice of her generation – someone unafraid to challenge power, wealth, and hypocrisy, even in elite spaces.

While she may have made the room uncomfortable, her speech served a larger purpose: reminding the world that empathy and action should carry more value than fortune or fame.

In a time when the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen, and global crises demand urgent attention, her simple challenge – “If you have money, use it for good” – may be the call to conscience that even billionaires cannot ignore.