Kevin O'Leary Warns Celebrities to 'Shut Your Mouth and Just Entertain'

The 'Shark Tank' star criticized Billie Eilish's Grammys speech as a losing business move.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Investor Kevin O'Leary issued a stark warning to celebrities after Billie Eilish used her Grammy acceptance speech to criticize border enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). O'Leary told Fox News that celebrities should avoid making political statements from the stage, saying "Half the people in politics that you piss off won't buy your music anymore."

Why it matters

O'Leary's comments highlight the ongoing debate over whether celebrities should use award show platforms to make political statements. While some argue that public figures have a responsibility to use their platforms to address important issues, others believe celebrities should stick to entertainment and avoid alienating fans with political views.

The details

During her Grammy acceptance speech, Eilish declared "no one is illegal on stolen land," criticizing border enforcement and ICE. This prompted a response from the Tongva Tribe in Southern California, who appreciated Eilish's comments but noted that she had not contacted the tribe directly about her property being on their ancestral land.

  • Eilish made her comments during the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • O'Leary made his remarks on the Fox News program 'America Reports' on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

Kevin O'Leary

An investor and TV personality best known as a 'shark' on the reality show 'Shark Tank'.

Billie Eilish

A 24-year-old pop star who won the Grammy for Song of the Year at the 2026 ceremony.

Tongva Tribe

The indigenous people of the greater Los Angeles basin, who consider the area Eilish's home to be on their ancestral land.

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What they’re saying

“Half the people in politics that you piss off won't buy your music anymore.”

— Kevin O'Leary, Investor and TV personality (Fox News)

“As the First People of the greater Los Angeles basin, we do understand that her home is situated in our ancestral land. Eilish has not contacted our tribe directly regarding her property, we do value the instance when Public Figures provide visibility to the true history of this country.”

— Tongva Tribe (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether Eilish will respond to the Tongva Tribe's statement or if the controversy over her Grammys speech will continue to unfold.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tension between celebrities using their platforms for political advocacy and the potential business risks of alienating fans with divisive views. While some argue that public figures have a responsibility to speak out, others believe celebrities should stick to entertainment and avoid polarizing their audiences.