Mark Zuckerberg Reportedly Refused to Applaud After Billie Eilish’s Bold Speech at WSJ Innovator Awards
Billie Eilish wasn’t exactly met with unanimous applause during her speech at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator Awards on Wednesday night. The “Bad Guy” singer, 23, used her moment to address the billionaire class, urging those with wealth to use it for good.
“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,” Eilish said while accepting the Music Innovator Award. “I’d say if you have money, it would be great to use it for good things, maybe give it to some people that need it.”
But Eilish didn’t stop there. At the star-studded event held at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art, she called out several of the richest attendees. “Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me,” the “Birds of a Feather” singer added. Then came a pointed question: “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?” She wrapped up with a playful yet provocative plea: “No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.”
While much of the audience responded with laughter and applause, not everyone was impressed. An attendee told People that Mark Zuckerberg, the 41-year-old Facebook founder and currently the third richest person in the world with a net worth of approximately $257 billion, did not clap for Eilish.
Zuckerberg attended the awards to support his wife, Priscilla Chan, who was honored as a 2025 WSJ Magazine Innovator for her philanthropic work. Chan, 40, was recognized for her efforts with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, a foundation the couple established in 2015 aimed at tackling societal challenges and advancing medical research.
Ahead of the ceremony, a WSJ profile highlighted the couple’s commitment to philanthropy: they have pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative over their lifetimes.
In contrast to the criticism Eilish faced, she recently made a significant charitable donation of her own. During the ceremony, host Stephen Colbert revealed that the singer had donated more than $11 million from her recent tour proceeds to various causes.
“I also have the privilege of breaking a little news tonight,” Colbert said. “Thank you, Billie, for allowing me to do this. It’s extraordinary.”
He continued, “Billie Eilish will be donating 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.”
“That donation, ladies and gentlemen, will be $11.5 million,” Colbert concluded. “That’s wonderful. Billie, on behalf of humans everywhere, thank you.”
The WSJ Magazine Innovator Awards are an annual event recognizing leaders across industries who are “changing the game,” with categories spanning fashion, art, music, beauty, film, and philanthropy.
Besides Eilish, Zuckerberg, and Chan, the event featured other notable billionaires such as George Lucas and Tory Burch, along with celebrities including Chris Rock, Hailey Bieber, Ben Stiller, and Karlie Kloss.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/30/entertainment/mark-zuckerbergs-painful-reaction-revealed-after-billie-eilish-slams-billionaires-at-star-studded-event/
