Ricky Gervais Reminds Celebrities Not to Make Political Speeches After Grammys Sees Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish Slam ICE: ‘They’re Still Not Listening’

Comedian Ricky Gervais has taken a fresh jab at the trend of politically charged award show speeches, using the 2026 Grammy Awards as his latest target. On social media, he reposted a segment from his famously provocative 2020 Golden Globes hosting set, where he told celebrities they were in "no position to lecture the public." His accompanying caption, "They’re still not listening," paired with a laughing-crying emoji, served as a clear critique of the evening's tone.

The 2026 ceremony was indeed defined by advocacy, particularly focused on U.S. immigration policy. A coalition of prominent artists, including Billie Eilish, Justin and Hailey Bieber, and producer Jack Antonoff, visibly protested by wearing "ICE Out" pins. Eilish, winning Song of the Year, echoed language from the previous year's Emmys, stating "fuck ICE" and asserting "No one is illegal on stolen land." Album of the Year winner Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican global superstar known for blending reggaeton with social commentary, used his speech to challenge dehumanizing rhetoric: "We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."

Other winners framed their accolades within broader narratives of migration and identity. Best New Artist Olivia Dean dedicated her award to her immigrant grandmother, while Shaboozey, winning for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, made a historical claim: "Immigrants built this country, literally. So this is for them... You give America color." This collective focus reflects a deliberate shift among artists to leverage major platforms for social statements, a practice that has become a hallmark of this awards season. As media analyst Dr. Lena Choi notes, "We've moved from vague calls for unity to specific, pointed demands. This represents a generational shift in how artists view their role and the utility of a captive audience of millions."

For Gervais, this trend is a recurring subject of mockery. This recent post mirrors an identical move he made after the 2025 Emmy Awards, which he later deleted. That event saw "Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder win and use her speech to say "fuck ICE" and "free Palestine," effectively setting a direct precedent for the Grammy speeches that followed. Gervais, the creator of acerbic specials like "SuperNature," consistently positions himself against what he perceives as performative activism from insulated celebrities. His repeated critique taps into a wider debate about the appropriateness of political speech in spaces traditionally dedicated to artistic celebration.

The tension between entertainment and advocacy at major ceremonies is a long-standing one, but commentators agree it has reached a new peak. This escalation ensures the speeches themselves are now as dissected as the winning works, polarizing audiences and industry figures alike. The backlash from figures like Gervais is as predictable as the speeches themselves, creating a cyclical dynamic where each politically charged moment guarantees a counter-reaction, keeping both the art and the accompanying commentary firmly in the public eye.