Billie Eilish “Stolen Land” Grammy Speech Sparks Pushback From Native Tribe Whose Ancestral Land Her Mansion Sits On

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Okay, so Billie Eilish made a statement at the Grammys about ‘stolen land,’ and honestly, it didn’t quite land as intended. It’s created a bit of an awkward situation because the Native American tribe whose traditional lands her house is built on has now publicly responded to what she said. It feels like a moment where good intentions didn’t quite translate, and now everyone’s looking at the specifics of the situation.

Honestly, the whole thing started after Billie Eilish’s Grammy speech. She spoke out against how the U.S. handles immigration and, well, it sounded like she was questioning the very idea of America as it stands. It really stirred things up, and that’s where all the debate began.

There’s a growing demand for Billie Eilish to give back her $14 million Los Angeles home to the Tongva tribe. This comes after the singer stated, “no one is illegal on stolen land,” sparking controversy and calls for her to address the historical context of the land on which her property sits.

She also had the means to generously offer shelter to undocumented immigrants at her estate, believing she was acting with superior moral principles.

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 2, 2026

During her speech, Billie Eilish insisted: “No one is illegal on stolen land.”

The statement quickly gained support from online activists, but it also drew a reaction from the Tongva tribe, who are recognized as the original people of the Los Angeles area.

Tribe Confirms Eilish’s Mansion Sits on Ancestral Tongva Land

The New York Post reports that the Tongva tribe has verified Billie Eilish’s $3 million Los Angeles home is built on land traditionally belonging to their ancestors.

The Tongva people are often called the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles area, as their traditional territory included much of what is now the city and surrounding areas.

The tribe understood what Billie Eilish was trying to say, but pointed out that she hasn’t reached out to them personally, even though she owns land in the area they consider their territory.

According to a statement to the Daily Mail, and reported by the New York Post, a representative for the Tongva tribe said that Billie Eilish hasn’t reached out to them about her property. However, the tribe appreciates when celebrities help bring attention to the country’s real history.

I have to say, the official’s statement really hit home. They pointed out that just talking about ‘stolen land’ isn’t enough – you have to name which tribe was affected. It felt like a crucial clarification, and honestly, a really important point to make.

They expressed a desire for future conversations to clearly state the Gabrieleno Tongva tribe’s connection to the land, so the public remembers that the Los Angeles Basin is still their ancestral territory.

When Virtue Signaling Meets Reality

The tribe’s reaction highlights a common problem: when celebrities speak out on issues, they’re often not held to the same standards as everyone else. Billie Eilish, for example, described America as built on “stolen land,” but people pointed out that she still benefits from owning property on that same land – land she acknowledges was taken unfairly.

The disconnect did not go unnoticed on social media.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by questioning the idea of “stolen land.” He suggested the author consider giving up their Southern California home, implying it was also built on land claimed to be stolen.

Senator Mike Lee of Utah echoed this sentiment, suggesting that statements like these are often more about appearances than genuine action.

He argued that if a white person publicly acknowledges that the land they’re on was historically Native American (‘stolen land’ acknowledgement), they should then give that land back to Native Americans. Otherwise, he believes the acknowledgement is insincere, and he strongly suspects it usually is.

As a huge cinema fan, I recently saw a post from journalist Manny Marotta that really struck me. He pointed out the hypocrisy sometimes seen with celebrities who talk about important issues but don’t actually put their money where their mouth is. Specifically, he noted that Billie Eilish, who’s incredibly successful with a net worth of $50 million, hasn’t donated anything to support the Indigenous people whose land we’re on – land many acknowledge was originally taken from them. It just felt like a really valid point about walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

The Problem With Celebrity Activism

As a movie buff, I’ve been noticing this trend with celebrities lately, and it really bothers me. It seems like a lot of times, they’ll make these big, passionate statements about important issues, but it feels…empty. There’s no real sacrifice on their part, they don’t actually do anything to help, and they don’t seem to connect with the communities they’re claiming to support. It’s all talk and no action, and honestly, it feels a little performative.

The Tongva tribe reacted calmly, even with gratitude, but their response also highlighted how easily general political statements can unintentionally overlook the people they’re meant to help.

Billie Eilish’s comments were well-received at the Grammys, but they sparked a larger question: if land is considered stolen, what obligations do current residents have?

So far, that question remains unanswered.

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2026-02-04 15:58