Singer Billie Eilish faced criticism online after referencing “stolen land” during her acceptance speech at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday.
Eilish won Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER,” a track from her third album Hit Me Hard and Soft. She accepted the award alongside her brother, Finneas O’Connell, and both wore pins that read, “ICE OUT.”
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said from the stage.
Some social media users responded by pointing out that Eilish lives in the Los Angeles area—land that historically belonged to the Tongva people. The Tongva have deep historical ties to the region, though they are not federally recognized, according to the California Native American Heritage Commission.
One user on X claimed Eilish’s home “is built where the Tongva tribes once lived,” adding, “Any plans on returning it?”
Another wrote that they were “done with sanctimony from celebrities,” arguing Eilish was condemning “stolen land” while owning property on former Tongva territory, and suggested she should “deed it back” if she was serious.
The San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno Tongva told Newsweek that they understood Eilish’s home sits on their ancestral land. The organization said Eilish has not contacted the tribe directly about her property, but added that it values moments when public figures draw attention to the country’s history.
Why It Matters
Eilish’s remarks come as President Donald Trump’s administration continues federal immigration enforcement operations in major U.S. cities—actions that have drawn protests and renewed scrutiny.
The debate has intensified after two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good, were fatally shot by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations last month.
Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, was killed during an operation in Minneapolis on January 24. The Department of Homeland Security said on social media that an individual—later identified by family as Pretti—approached Border Patrol officers with a handgun. However, videos filmed by bystanders show Pretti holding what appears to be a phone, and the footage does not appear to show a visible weapon.
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed on January 7 during a traffic stop in a residential Minneapolis neighborhood. State and local leaders have disputed DHS claims that the ICE officer involved acted in self-defense.
Eilish wasn’t the only celebrity to criticize ICE at the ceremony. Bad Bunny also spoke out while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album, saying, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans.”
What to Know
The Tongva people’s ancestral homeland includes what is now the Greater Los Angeles Basin—Los Angeles and surrounding areas where many celebrities live.
The San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno Tongva said it has reached out to Eilish’s team “to express our appreciation for her comments,” and said it hopes future conversations more explicitly name the tribe so the public understands the region remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory.
The organization also said this year marked a milestone for the community: the Grammys Premiere Ceremony opened with a welcoming led by Chief Anthony Morales, Andrew Morales, and Mona Recalde.
The group added that it partnered with the Recording Academy to help author the official Land Acknowledgment statement shared during Grammy Week and at the premiere ceremony.
What People Are Saying
Eilish said during her Grammys speech: “It’s just really hard to know what to say, and what to do right now. I just feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting, speaking up, and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter. F*** ICE is all I want to say. Sorry.”
The San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno Tongva told Newsweek: “The Recording Academy has been an incredible partner to our tribe, and we look forward to continuing the relationship to ensure the voices of the First People of this land are heard and honored. Ekwa Shem- We are here!”
