Billie Eilish’s Grammy Awards acceptance speech sparked immediate reaction far beyond the music world. After the singer made a pointed comment about “stolen land,” online debate quickly followed. Now, a Native American tribe whose ancestral territory includes Los Angeles has weighed in, offering clarity rather than condemnation.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Kendrick Lamar: 'I learned, when I look in the mirror…'—Top quotes by the most awarded rapper in Grammy history
After winning Song of the Year for “Wildflower” alongside her brother Finneas on Sunday, February 1, Billie Eilish used her acceptance speech to address immigration and protest.
As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but no one is illegal on stolen land,” she said.
She added, “It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. And I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”
Eilish closed the moment by saying “f**k ICE,” referencing ongoing controversy around President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, as quoted in a report by National Enquirer.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: 'Mistakes are always forgivable,…'—Inspiring quotes by the renowned martial artist
Why Did the Comments Spark Backlash Online?
Soon after the ceremony, social media users began scrutinizing Eilish’s remarks. Several posts claimed the singer’s multimillion-dollar Los Angeles home sits on land historically belonging to the Tongva tribe, the Indigenous people of the Los Angeles Basin.
Political commentator Eric Daugherty wrote on X that Eilish could “graciously host illegal aliens in her mansion,” adding, “After all, she has the moral high ground. Put up or shut the F up.”
Another user wrote, “Billie Eilish calls America ‘stolen land.’ Ok, Billie. Your $14,000,000 mansion in LA is built where the Tongva tribes once lived. Any plans on returning it?”
While some praised Eilish for criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, others questioned whether her words should be matched with action, as quoted in a report by the National Enquirer.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Woebegone
In a statement to the Daily Mail on Monday, February 2, a spokesperson for the Tongva tribe confirmed that Eilish’s home does allegedly sit on their ancestral land. The statement emphasized context rather than confrontation.
“As the First People of the greater Los Angeles basin, we do understand that her home is situated in our ancestral land,” the spokesperson said. “Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when Public Figures provide visibility to the true history of this country.”
They added that Eilish has not contacted the tribe directly regarding her property but acknowledged the broader impact of her comments, as quoted in a report by the National Enquirer.
The spokesperson made clear the tribe’s focus is on recognition and education.
“It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory,” the statement said.
The response reframed the controversy as an opportunity to highlight Indigenous history rather than escalate online criticism.
Did the Tongva tribe criticize Billie Eilish directly?
No. The tribe acknowledged the land’s history and welcomed increased visibility of Indigenous issues.
Has Billie Eilish contacted the Tongva tribe?
According to the tribe’s spokesperson, she has not reached out regarding her property.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Kendrick Lamar: 'I learned, when I look in the mirror…'—Top quotes by the most awarded rapper in Grammy history
What Did Billie Eilish Say at the Grammys?
After winning Song of the Year for “Wildflower” alongside her brother Finneas on Sunday, February 1, Billie Eilish used her acceptance speech to address immigration and protest.
As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but no one is illegal on stolen land,” she said.
She added, “It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. And I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”
Eilish closed the moment by saying “f**k ICE,” referencing ongoing controversy around President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, as quoted in a report by National Enquirer.
ALSO READ: Quote of the Day by Bruce Lee: 'Mistakes are always forgivable,…'—Inspiring quotes by the renowned martial artist
Why Did the Comments Spark Backlash Online?
Soon after the ceremony, social media users began scrutinizing Eilish’s remarks. Several posts claimed the singer’s multimillion-dollar Los Angeles home sits on land historically belonging to the Tongva tribe, the Indigenous people of the Los Angeles Basin.
Political commentator Eric Daugherty wrote on X that Eilish could “graciously host illegal aliens in her mansion,” adding, “After all, she has the moral high ground. Put up or shut the F up.”
Another user wrote, “Billie Eilish calls America ‘stolen land.’ Ok, Billie. Your $14,000,000 mansion in LA is built where the Tongva tribes once lived. Any plans on returning it?”
While some praised Eilish for criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, others questioned whether her words should be matched with action, as quoted in a report by the National Enquirer.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Woebegone
What Did the Tongva Tribe Say?
In a statement to the Daily Mail on Monday, February 2, a spokesperson for the Tongva tribe confirmed that Eilish’s home does allegedly sit on their ancestral land. The statement emphasized context rather than confrontation.
“As the First People of the greater Los Angeles basin, we do understand that her home is situated in our ancestral land,” the spokesperson said. “Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when Public Figures provide visibility to the true history of this country.”
They added that Eilish has not contacted the tribe directly regarding her property but acknowledged the broader impact of her comments, as quoted in a report by the National Enquirer.
What Is the Tribe Hoping For Going Forward?
The spokesperson made clear the tribe’s focus is on recognition and education.
“It is our hope that in future discussions, the tribe can explicitly be referenced to ensure the public understands that the greater Los Angeles basin remains Gabrieleno Tongva territory,” the statement said.
The response reframed the controversy as an opportunity to highlight Indigenous history rather than escalate online criticism.
FAQs
Did the Tongva tribe criticize Billie Eilish directly?
No. The tribe acknowledged the land’s history and welcomed increased visibility of Indigenous issues.
Has Billie Eilish contacted the Tongva tribe?
According to the tribe’s spokesperson, she has not reached out regarding her property.
