Multiple Grammy Award-winning singer Billie Eilish called on billionaires to share their wealth with those in need. And she showed it by her own example.
At the WSJ Innovator Awards 2025 ceremony, which took place the day before at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, 23-year-old Eilish gave an emotional speech to the wealthiest people on the planet.
“We live in dark and troubling times. If you have money, use it for good deeds. There are people here who have much more than I do. If you are a billionaire, why?” said the artist, addressing guests, among whom were Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan.
During her speech, the singer emphasized that the modern world “needs more empathy than ever before.” The singer didn’t just say anything; she announced that she was donating $11.5 million to organizations fighting food inequality and climate change.
The WSJ Innovator Awards, organized by the Wall Street Journal, traditionally honor people who are “changing the game” in their field. This year, in addition to Billy, the honorees included Spike Lee (cinema), Ben Stiller (entertainment), Hailey Bieber (beauty), Priscilla Chan (science philanthropy), and others.