What to Know
MAGA influencer Emily Austin has made it very clear that she was not a fan of Billie Eilish’s Grammys acceptance speech. Emily not only mocked Billie’s speech, but also filmed her live reaction and shared it on social media for everyone to see. Reactions to Emily’s video were mixed, but the clip ultimately sparked a lot of backlash.
In Billie’s speech, she addressed the current state of the United States, which has left many feeling like they don’t even know what to say or do. “As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything but, ‘No one is illegal on stolen land,'” Billie said. “It’s really hard to know what to say and what to do right now, and I just, I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”
Billie also said “f— ICE,” which was bleeped out and also mocked by Emily.
Those watching the Grammys at home didn’t hear Billie’s “f— ICE” comment, but they did have the opportunity to hear Emily mock it in the controversial video circulating online. After Billie said “f— ICE,” Emily sneered and later added, “I’m so edgy. I said, ‘F— ICE.’ Oh my god.” She shared her reaction on X and captioned it with, “Live reaction to Billie Eilish going on a ‘F— ICE’ rant. Painful to listen to.”
After Emily mocked Billie, other creators started mocking and criticizing her reaction, with many people on social media questioning who she even is. Lots of people left comments like, “Who is Emily Austin?” and, “It’s always someone you have to google 🙄.” People also noted that Emily’s reaction reeked of “mean girl vibes” and “jealous girl vibes.” Another critic responded to Emily’s clip directly, writing, “Oh look. Cinderella’s step-sisters got Grammy tickets.”
Others questioned what Emily was even upset about. “imagine getting mad bc she said people’s voices and lives matter,” someone wrote. People also wondered what she was even doing at the Grammys in the first place. “Like why even be there or watch if you actively hate everyone and what they believe in?” another person wrote.
— what the 𝙺𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚢 (@keliscope) February 2, 2026
Emily knows that people are hating on her for this, but she hasn’t changed her mind.
The criticism is loud enough that Emily has responded to it multiple times at this point. In a follow-up post on X, she wrote, “Despite all the hate I got, I love America. Even Bad Bunny’s Grammy speech honored the dream of those who had to leave their homes to succeed — IN AMERICA. This country is a place of opportunity — and it wouldn’t be what it is without our law enforcement who protect our freedoms.”
Based on what the influencer told the Daily Mail, it seems like she’s still bothered by Billie’s “f— ICE” comment. She also criticized the speech for being “performative” and assumed that other people disagreed with what Billie said as well. Emily told the publication, “‘In terms of my reaction, I was sneering at her because it was performative and it was disingenuous. But what upset me most was the fact I was the only one not standing. The fact that not one other person in the arena had the spinal cord to think for themselves. Like, ‘f— ICE’? I don’t think everyone in the arena had to agree with that.”
