In what has surprised many, Golden from KPop Demon Hunters did not take song of the year at the Grammys. The award instead went to Wildflower by Billie Eilish, with the singer using the moment of her big win to discuss ongoing controversies surrounding immigration law.
Ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, industry observers and music journalists widely discussed the strength of Golden, a song from the animated film KPop Demon Hunters, as a potential Song of the Year winner. The track received extensive attention following its nomination, with coverage pointing to its broad appeal and historic position as a K-Pop–associated contender in one of the Grammys’ top categories.
When the award was announced at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, however, Song of the Year went instead to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for Wildflower. The result surprised some commentators who had viewed Golden as a strong contender going into the ceremony.
A screenshot from the trailer to KPop Demon Hunters – YouTube, Sony Pictures Animation
Wildflower appears on Eilish’s 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft. Eilish and O’Connell accepted the award together onstage. Eilish used the moment to criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and broader U.S. policy.
She said, “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “F— ICE.”
Eilish Uses Acceptance Speech to Address Immigration Policy
After accepting the Song of the Year award, Eilish used her time onstage to deliver a political message focused on U.S. immigration enforcement. She thanked the Recording Academy and fellow nominees before shifting to criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and broader federal policy.
Billie Eilish calls America “stolen land”
Ok, Billie. Your $14,000,000 mansion in LA is built where the Tongva tribes once lived. Any plans on returning it?
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 2, 2026
Her acceptance speech, she said:
“Thank you so much. I can’t believe this,” Eilish said, standing beside her brother during her acceptance speech. “Everyone else in this category is so amazing. I love you so much. I feel so honored every time I get to be in this room. 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. And, yeah, it’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now, and 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, and f— ICE. That’s all I’m going to say. Sorry. Thank you so much.”
Audience members responded with applause and cheers. Several news outlets characterized the remarks as one of the most politically explicit moments of the ceremony.
Eilish as well as several other celebrities wore “ICE out” pins to the Grammys. The Wildflowers singer was not the only artist to address immigration. Bad Bunny stated in his acceptance speech, “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.”
Other artists at the 2026 Grammys also addressed immigration and related issues in their speeches.
Public Reaction and Broader Context
Following the broadcast, Eilish’s remarks circulated widely online. Some commentary focused on her reference to “stolen land,” noting her own multi-million home is on former indigenous land.
🚨 BREAKING: Americans are calling on Hollywood elitist Billie Eilish to RETURN her $14M LA mansion to the Tongva tribe after she claimed, “no one is illegal on stolen land”
She could also graciously host illegal aliens in her mansion. After all, she has the moral high ground.… pic.twitter.com/WGivdABveH
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 2, 2026
Los Angeles is located on land historically inhabited by Indigenous peoples including the Tongva, Tataviam, Serrano, Kizh, and Chumash.
Eilish’s comments and the ensuing reaction comes as the nation grapples with increasing polarization on the immigration policies and ICE. Many protests have erupted across the country, decrying the nation’s immigration policies as well as what some see as excessive force from ICE agents. Others raise concerns at the increase in violent attacks against ICE agents in recent months.
Golden Still Earns Recognition in Visual Media Category
Although Golden didn’t take Song of the Year, the song received a major honor earlier in the evening. It won Best Song Written for Visual Media during the Grammys’ pre-telecast ceremony. The track is performed by the fictional K-pop group HUNTR/X, with vocals by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
The award went to the song’s credited writers, including EJAE, Park Hong Jun, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Mark Sonnenblick. Coverage following the win frequently described it as the first Grammy victory for a K-Pop song.
A screenshot from the trailer to KPop Demon Hunters – YouTube, Sony Pictures Animation
Despite that recognition, discussion surrounding the ceremony continued to focus on the Song of the Year outcome, given the category’s visibility and the expectations placed on Golden.
What are your thoughts on statements made by Billie Eilish at the Grammys? Which song do you think deserved song of the year? Let us know your thoughts civilly in the comments below.
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In case you need a translator:
“And, yeah, it’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now,”
-> Why isn’t the world like me, a rich celebrity, wants it to be? Why don’t normal and poor people listen to me? My agent didn’t prepare me for this.
” and I feel really hopeful in this room,”
->Oh my sweet, sweet safe space bubble! You protect me so from the burden of discourse and diverging opinions and thinking!
“and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting,”
->I support [current thing].
“and our voices really do matter, and the people matter,”
-> I am one of you! Hello, fellow normal people!
“and f— ICE. That’s all I’m going to say.”
-> me is rebell, disregard bank account.
“Sorry.”
-> not sorry.
“Thank you so much.”
-> Buy my sh*t.
There you, go.
It doesn’t matter which song wins at these awful circle jerks. If anything it’s a recommendation on what to avoid.