Billie Eilish was completely vulnerable this week as she accepted an award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
The musician and her brother/ collaborator Finneas O’Connell took the stage at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Thursday night to accept the coveted Chairman’s Award for their song, “What Was I Made For," from the Barbie soundtrack.
While accepting the prestigious award, Eilish got candid about her past struggles with feeling hopeless and dedicated the award — and any future awards for the song — to anyone who feels similarly.
“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 said.
She continued: “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.”
Barbie director Greta Gerwig presented the two with the award, while other Barbie cast members including Margot Robbie and America Ferrera were also in attendance.
“I want to say to anyone that feels that way, be patient with yourself, and know that it’s worth it all,” Eilish continued. “And I think it’s good to be alive.”
“What Was I Made For?” became a chart-topping hit and viral TikTok sensation after being released in tandem with the film last summer. The song plays during a pivotal moment in the movie, as Robbie's character is trying to figure out her next step during an existential crisis. The song has been nominated for five Grammy awards, along with other major awards.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Billie Eilish and Finneas break down how they created the soul-crushing song, with Eilish explaining that she chose to sing it “almost like you were just crying.”
“If I can be honest… I feel like it's one of my best vocal performances I've ever given,” she said.
In a statement, the festival's Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said, “Billie and Finneas, with their unparalleled talent, have created a beautiful and ethereal ballad that perfectly evokes the poignancy of the journey Margot Robbie’s Barbie takes in the film."
