Billie Eilish Denies Falling Out With Finneas and Defends Speaking Out Against Billionaires and ICE: ‘Why Is it Controversial to Step in When Someone’s Getting Bullied?’

Billie Eilish has revealed that her eagerly anticipated fourth studio album is now "more than halfway" complete, though specifics regarding its musical style and thematic direction remain tightly guarded. The seven-time Grammy-winning artist shared this milestone during an interview for the cover of Elle magazine, timed alongside the theatrical release of her concert film, “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D).” Known for groundbreaking tracks like “Bad Guy” and “Happier Than Ever,” Eilish has built a career on weaving deeply introspective lyrics with sharp social commentary. Her 2019 debut, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”—which shattered streaming records and made her the youngest solo artist to win Album of the Year at the Grammys—catapulted her to global fame at just 17, a feat that industry experts say reshaped pop music's landscape for a new generation.

In the same interview, Eilish expanded on her vocal activism, particularly her outspoken critiques of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), billionaires, and other politically charged subjects. “I was raised like this,” she explained, emphasizing the sense of duty she feels towards her massive platform. “When you have this insane platform you can use to advocate for people, but you’re not doing it because you don’t want to be controversial? Why is it controversial to step in when someone’s getting bullied and try to stop it?” This defiance was vividly displayed at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, where she wore an “ICE Out” pin and shouted “fuck ICE!” during her acceptance speech for Song of the Year for “Wildflower.” She added, “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.” Her activism is deeply rooted in her upbringing in Los Angeles, where her parents—both actors and musicians—fostered a household that encouraged critical thinking about social justice issues.

Eilish’s advocacy extends well beyond immigration reform. At the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards last November, she delivered a pointed speech challenging billionaires, delivered directly in front of Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. “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 ever, especially in our country,” she remarked. “Love you all, but there’s a few people in here that have a lot more money than me. If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire? No hate, but yeah, give your money away, shorties.” Days later, she took to Instagram to criticize Elon Musk, calling him a “fucking pathetic pussy bitch coward” for hoarding wealth as he approaches trillionaire status. Importantly, Eilish’s rhetoric is matched by concrete action. That same night, she pledged $11.5 million from her tour earnings to various charities and organizations. Music industry analyst Sarah Jenkins observes, “Eilish’s willingness to leverage her financial success for social causes sets a powerful example for her peers, especially given her young age. It’s rare to see an artist in her position put such concrete resources behind their rhetoric, turning protest into tangible aid.”

Elsewhere in the Elle cover story, Eilish opened up about the emotional challenges of touring without her brother and frequent collaborator Finneas for the first time during her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” run. While Finneas did join her for select shows, the tour marked a significant departure from their usual dynamic, where he served as her primary producer and co-writer. Eilish dismissed speculation of a rift between them. “I heard somebody say, ‘Did you guys hear Finneas and Billie had a falling-out?’” she recounted. “Finneas and I have never and will never have a falling-out, ever in our lives. We’ll get in the biggest fucking fight you’ve ever heard of in your life…and five minutes later, we’re back, laughing and making music. It’s sibling shit. There’s nothing else in the world like sibling relationships… If I never saw Finneas at all, I might literally never make a song again…. But how do we move on and have separate lives?” For context, Finneas has been instrumental in shaping Eilish’s sound since her early SoundCloud days, co-writing and producing all three of her studio albums, including the Grammy-winning “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” The singer’s video interview with Elle is available for viewing online.