Billie Eilish got vulnerable as she and her brother, Finneas, received the Chairman’s Award during the Palm Springs Film Awards this week.for their song, “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie movie.
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The sibling duo was presented the honor during the awards ceremony at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Thursday night and were recognized as the first musicians to ever receive the honor. During her acceptance speech, Eilish expressed she was deeply touched by the award as she and Finneas wrote the tune during a particularly dark time for the 22-year-old as she was questioning her own existence. She used the opportunity to encourage others who may be feeling the same way and offer hope for the future.
“I would really like to say that this award and any recognition that this song gets, I just want to dedicate to anyone who experiences hopelessness, the feeling of existential dread and feeling like, ‘what’s the point, why am I here and why am I doing this?’” Eilish expressed. “I think we all feel like that occasionally, but I think if somebody like me, with the amount of privilege that I have and the incredible things that I get to do and be and how I have really not wanted to be here… sorry to be dark, damn, but I’ve spent a lot of time feeling that way.”
She continued, “I just want to say to anyone that feels that way, be patient with yourself and know that it is, I think, worth it all. It’s good to be alive now,” she said before admitting she didn’t feel that way for “a very long time.”
Eilish continued on to praise the movie, as a viewer, for meeting her where she was at and offering her encouragement during her own dark time.
“Basically I was just watching Barbie say and feel things that I really, really, really resonated with and felt so close to. I felt so seen, and I did not expect that,” Eilish said of watching the film, directed by Greta Gerwig. “I think that this movie is the most incredible, most empowering and beautiful and funny and just unbelievable piece of art in the world, and I’m so honored to be a part of it.”
Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988.