At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for her track "Wildflower." During her acceptance speech, Eilish made a bold political statement, declaring, "No one is illegal on stolen land," and criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency with an expletive. This statement was met with applause from the audience and sparked widespread discussion. (nme.com)
Eilish's remarks were part of a broader trend at the Grammys, where several artists used the platform to protest the Trump administration's immigration policies. Bad Bunny, who made history by winning Album of the Year for a Spanish-language album, also condemned ICE during his acceptance speech, emphasizing the humanity of immigrants. (time.com)
In response to Eilish's comments, the Tongva tribe, whose ancestral lands include the area where Eilish's Los Angeles home is located, issued a statement. They expressed appreciation for Eilish bringing visibility to the true history of the country but noted that she had not contacted the tribe directly regarding her property. The tribe hopes for explicit references in future discussions to ensure public understanding that the greater Los Angeles basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory. (foxnews.com)
Eilish's speech has ignited debates about celebrity activism and the complexities of addressing historical injustices. While some praise her for using her platform to advocate for marginalized communities, others have called attention to the perceived contradiction between her statements and her personal circumstances, highlighting the ongoing challenges in reconciling advocacy with personal actions.