The Tongva tribe, which claims ownership of the land where Billie Eilish’s expensive Los Angeles mansion sits, has asked that celebrities acknowledge them explicitly if they want to comment on the land’s history.
After Eilish criticized ICE during her Grammy acceptance speech, stating that “no one is illegally living on stolen land,” the tribe confirmed that her $3 million property is situated on their “ancestral land.”
The indigenous peoples of the Los Angeles Basin, referred to as “First Angelenos,” expressed appreciation for Eilish’s sentiments but emphasized that she has yet to connect with them directly. They urge her to mention the tribe specifically in future statements.
A spokesperson for the Tongva tribe stated that Eilish has not reached out regarding her property. They emphasized the importance of public figures illuminating the true history of the country. “We hope that in future discussions we can clearly mention this tribe so that the public understands that the Los Angeles Basin remains the territory of Gabrieleno Tongva,” they added.
During her acceptance speech, Eilish vocally denounced ICE, invoking laughter and criticism for her remarks about America being “stolen land.”
Commenting on Eilish’s statements, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sarcastically suggested she should be evicted from her mansion, which he claimed is on “stolen land.” Sen. Mike Lee from Utah echoed this sentiment, stating that those acknowledging “stolen land” should relinquish their property to Native Americans, implying that if they don’t, their claims are insincere.
Independent journalist Manny Marotta also weighed in, noting that Eilish, who has a net worth of $50 million, has not donated anything to the original residents of the area she refers to as “stolen land.”
