Influencer Drew Pavlou Claims Billie Eilish Got Him Deported From US

In a bizarre twist following the 2026 Grammy Awards, 24-year-old Australian activist Drew Pavlou claims he was deported from the United States after a “performance art” stunt involving pop star Billie Eilish.

The controversy stems from Eilish’s acceptance speech for Song of the Year, where she donned an “ICE OUT” pin and told the audience, “No one is illegal on stolen land… F**k ICE.”

The Stunt: “Moving Into” the Mansion

Pavlou, known for his vocal activism against the Chinese government, launched a satirical crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe (and later GiveSendGo) to raise funds to move into Eilish’s $3 million Los Angeles mansion.

• The Logic: Pavlou argued that if “no one is illegal on stolen land,” he should be allowed to set up a tent on her driveway.
• The Flaw: Pavlou was reportedly unaware that the Malibu property he was targeting—previously owned by Eilish’s brother, Finneas—had been sold in 2022 and was later destroyed in a fire.

The Deportation Claim

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Pavlou posted on X that he was detained for 30 hours at LAX before being sent back to Australia.

• The “Dossier”: Pavlou alleged that Eilish’s legal team contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and compiled a dossier on him.
• The Interrogation: He claimed agents questioned him not just about the mansion “threat,” but about his history of anti-CCP activism and whether he had ever plotted to assassinate Chinese officials.
• The Outcome: While agents reportedly “laughed” at the shitposts, Pavlou was ultimately denied entry. He noted that he wasn’t permanently banned but was told he needed a different visa category (likely a business or journalist visa) to enter for such “performance art” or media appearances.

Billie Eilish’s Grammy Backlash

Eilish’s “stolen land” comments have sparked a broader debate in early 2026:

• The Tongva Tribe: The Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, whose ancestral land includes the LA Basin, acknowledged the visibility Eilish provided but requested that celebrities mention the specific tribe by name rather than using general slogans.
• Political Response: Critics like Senator Mike Lee and various media commentators have accused Eilish of “virtue signaling” while living in a gated community.