Finneas Slams ‘Powerful Old White Men’ Who Are ‘Outraged’ About Billie Eilish’s Grammy Speech: ‘We Can Literally See Your Names in the Epstein Files’

Finneas O'Connell, the Grammy-winning producer and songwriter known for his collaborative work with his sister Billie Eilish, has publicly defended her following criticism of her recent Grammy Awards speech. Using Instagram Threads, he directly responded to detractors he characterized as "very powerful old white men," implying a potential link between some critics and individuals named in the recently unsealed court documents concerning the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. "We can literally see your names in the Epstein files," O'Connell wrote.

The controversy stems from the 2026 ceremony where Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower," a song she co-wrote with her brother. During her acceptance, Eilish—whose groundbreaking 2019 debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' established her as a generational voice—made a pointed statement on immigration. "I feel so honored every time I get to be in this room," she said. "As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything but that no one is illegal on stolen land." She concluded, "our voices really do matter, and the people matter, and fuck ICE. That’s all I’m going to say. Sorry. Thank you so much."

Eilish's message was echoed by Puerto Rican global phenomenon Bad Bunny. After securing Best Música Urbana Album for 'DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS', he began his speech with the declaration "ICE out," which was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience. He continued, "We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans," advocating for a response rooted in empathy: "The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love... If we fight, we have to do it with love." This mirrored advocacy highlights a trend of artists using their platform at major events; the Grammy Awards, overseen by the Recording Academy, have a long history of such moments, dating back to protests against the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa.

These coordinated speeches underscore how award shows are increasingly leveraged for political commentary, particularly on divisive topics like U.S. immigration policy and the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Established in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security, ICE has been a frequent target of criticism from activist groups concerned with deportation practices and detention conditions. Media analysts note that while such statements often provoke backlash from certain political factions, they also galvanize an artist's fanbase and can shift public discourse. As cultural critic Dr. Anya Sharma observed, "This isn't spontaneous; it's a calculated use of a global stage. The artists are speaking directly to a digitally-native audience that views celebrity influence and social justice as intrinsically linked, creating a powerful feedback loop that extends far beyond the broadcast."

The incident reflects a broader expectation for entertainers to engage with societal issues, further blurring the lines between pop culture and political activism. This shift continues to redefine the responsibilities of public figures, ensuring that major cultural moments are often as much about advocacy as they are about artistic achievement.