The singer-songwriter won the award for “Wildflower” and took the opportunity to encourage people to protest
Billie Eilish’s hit “Wildflower” won the coveted award for Song of the Year at the 2026 Grammys on Sunday — and the singer used her speech to condemn ICE and speak up for the rights of immigrants.
Carole King presented the award to Eilish, who was joined onstage by her brother and collaborator Finneas. Both siblings wore”ICE Out” pins as Eilish urged people to stand strong against ICE raids and aggression. “No one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said. “It’s really hard to know what to say and what to do right now… I just 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.” Before walking off stage, Eilish declared: “Fuck ICE”
The winning song contended with Rosé and Bruno Mars’ collab “APT.”, the Bad Bunny hit “DtMF,” “Golden” by Huntr/x from KPop Demon Hunters, Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” and Doechii’s Anxiety.”
Eilish was one of several artists who spoke up against the Trump administration’s violent immigration policies and ICE’s excessive use of force. Earlier in the night, Bad Bunny encouraged the world to turn away from hateful rhetoric. “I’m going to say, ‘ICE out,’” he said. “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.” Olivia Dean also nodded to her immigrant roots while accepting the Best New Artist award. “I want to say I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated,” she said.
“Wildflower” is the fourth single from Eilish’s third studio album, 2024’s Hit Me Hard and Soft. The win marks the singer-songwriter’s 10th Grammy. Eilish won Song of the Year in 2020 for her colossal hit, “Bad Guy,” and again in 2024 for the Academy Award-winning single “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie soundtrack. She also took home Album of the Year for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?.
