Lorde Donates $200K to Support Minnesota Immigrant Rights, Criticizes ICE Practices

Lorde is making headlines with her recent decision to donate $204,000 from her Minneapolis tour merchandise sales to support immigrant rights organizations. She accompanied this generous contribution with a handwritten message on social media saying “ICE OUT.”

The New Zealand singer, known for her bold artistic statements, is channeling the earnings from her sold-out Ultrasound World Tour into a powerful political gesture. By doing so, she has aligned herself with the growing ICE OUT movement, which calls for reform of U.S. immigration enforcement.

On Instagram, the 29-year-old pop star announced that the funds from her Minneapolis performances will benefit the Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Defense Network. Her move highlights a broader trend of celebrities using their platforms to advocate for social change.

In recent times, the Grammy Awards have become a venue for stars to voice their protests. Celebrities such as Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Kehlani, and Joni Mitchell have been spotted wearing small ‘ICE OUT’ pins on the red carpet, demonstrating their stance against current U.S. immigration policies.

From Justin and Hailey Bieber to Billie Eilish, Kehlani and Joni Mitchell, celebrities flashed tiny ‘ICE OUT’ pins on the red carpet, signaling their opposition to U.S. immigration enforcement.

Bad Bunny Bunny seized his moment while accepting Best Música Urbana Album, telling the crowd, ‘Before I say, ‘Thank God,’ I’m going to say, ‘ICE out.’ We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.’ 

Lorde is causing a stir with a $204,000 donation from her Minneapolis tour merch to immigrant rights groups – and a hand‑scrawled ‘ICE OUT’ message on social media; (pictured 2025)

The New Zealandsinger, 29, revealed on Instagram that the donation from her Minneapolis shows will go to the MinnesotaImmigration Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Defense Network

Eilish made a similar stand while accepting the award for Song of the Year, telling the crowd she doesn’t feel the need to say much more than that ‘no one is illegal on stolen land.’

She then urged people to keep fighting, speaking up and protesting – adding bluntly, ‘our voices matter, the people matter, and f*** ICE.’ 

Fans rushed to Reddit to weigh in on Lorde’s bold stand, with many cheering the gesture and the size of the donation. 

One wrote simply, ‘F*** ICE!’ – echoing the blunt message she shared.

Others were taken aback by how much she made from merch alone, with one fan admitting, ‘I’m shocked she made that much on merch sales? … you really have to wonder what the Bruno Mars and Taylor Swifts of the world are making.’

And some commenters praised her for backing up her words with action, like the fan who said Lorde’s donation wasn’t just talk, writing that it ‘materially benefits people immigrants in Minneapolis … instead of a more generic good.’

However, not everyone was on board with musicians taking a political stand.

Ricky Gervais reignited his long-running feud with outspoken celebrities on Sunday, targeting Grammy winners who used their acceptance speeches to blast U.S. immigration policies.

From Justin and Hailey Bieberto Billie Eilish, Kehlaniand Joni Mitchell, celebrities flashed tiny ‘ICE OUT’ pins on the red carpet, signaling their opposition to U.S. immigration enforcement 

Kehlani turned the Grammy Awards into a stage for protest 

Ricky Gervais reignited his long-running feud with outspoken celebrities on Sunday, targeting Grammy winners who used their acceptance speeches to blast U.S. immigration policies 

As stars filled the stage and red carpet at the 2026 Grammys with political messages, the 64-year-old English comedian resurfaced a quote from his scathing 2020 Golden Globes monologue.

Posting on X, Gervais shared his warning: ‘If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything.’

‘They’re still not listening,’ he added, referencing the dozens of artists who wore ‘ICE OUT’ pins and spoke out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from the stage at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.

The anti-ICE post came shortly after Lorde had to cancel a concert in Luxembourg in November due to illness. 

The pop star – real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor – explained on Instagram that she had been struck by food poisoning just hours before she was set to perform at Rockhal.

In her Stories, she apologized to fans, writing: ‘Luxembourg, I am so sorry to have to tell you that I came down with ruthless food poisoning last night, and I’m still too sick to play for you today. I’ve been resting all day, hoping I’d be well enough, but I can hardly stand up, and you deserve more. 

‘My sincerest apologies to anyone inconvenienced or upset by this. I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to it.’

Fans were offered refunds or the option to attend another date on her European Ultrasound World Tour.