During the WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards ceremony in New York City on November 1, 2023, musician Billie Eilish used her acceptance speech for the Music Innovator Award to address wealth inequality and challenge billionaires to contribute more to society. The remarks reportedly left billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, visibly upset.
Eilish highlighted the urgent need for empathy and assistance in a world facing significant challenges. “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,” she stated. She urged those with financial resources to consider using their wealth for positive change: “If you have money, it would be great to use it for good things, maybe give it to some people that need it.”
Eilish’s Bold Challenge to Wealthy Attendees
As she continued, Eilish directly addressed the wealthy audience, saying, “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.” Her comments were particularly pointed given the presence of Zuckerberg, who was among the wealthiest individuals in attendance, alongside other notable figures like Hailey Bieber, Spike Lee, and George Lucas.
Witnesses reported that Zuckerberg did not join in the applause following Eilish’s speech, suggesting his discomfort with the message. Despite his substantial philanthropic efforts, which include a pledge to donate 99 percent of his Facebook shares through the Zuckerberg Chan Initiative, it seems her remarks struck a nerve, possibly implying that billionaires’ contributions are insufficient given their vast fortunes.
Eilish’s commitment to social causes is evident beyond her words. During the ceremony, Stephen Colbert, who presented the award, announced that Eilish will be donating proceeds from her upcoming Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour—an impressive total of $11.5 million—to various organizations focused on food equity, climate justice, and reducing carbon pollution.
Contextualizing Wealth Disparities
Eilish’s net worth is estimated at around $50 million, a stark contrast to Zuckerberg’s fortune of approximately $264 billion, making him the third richest person globally. For perspective, the U.S. Department of Education had a budget of $268 billion for the year 2024, which was recently affected by policy changes under the previous administration.
While Zuckerberg’s charitable contributions are considerable, Eilish’s comments reflect a growing sentiment that, despite philanthropy, the existence of billionaires—and the relatively low taxes they pay—serves as a reminder of the widening gap between the wealthy and the less fortunate.
This incident highlights a broader dialogue about wealth, responsibility, and the role of billionaires in addressing social issues. As more artists like Eilish use their platforms to advocate for change, the conversation about wealth distribution and its implications for society continues to evolve.
