Lorde’s $200K Donation Fuels Immigrant Rights: A Bold Stand Against ICE in Minnesota

Lorde has made headlines with her generous contribution of $204,000 from her tour merchandise sales in Minneapolis to organizations supporting immigrant rights. She also took to social media, sharing a handwritten message that read “ICE OUT,” aligning herself with the movement against U.S. immigration enforcement policies.

The acclaimed pop artist is leveraging the success of her Ultrasound World Tour to make a significant political impact. By channeling the profits from her completely sold-out tour into a powerful statement, she has joined forces with a broader movement aiming for change.

On Instagram, the 29-year-old New Zealand native announced that the proceeds from her Minneapolis performances would benefit the Minnesota Immigration Rights Action Committee and the Immigrant Defense Network, underlining her commitment to supporting immigrant communities.

Lorde’s headline-making donation coincides with a trend among celebrities using major events like the Grammy Awards to voice their dissent. Many stars are using their platforms to advocate for social issues.

At the Grammys, big names such as Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Kehlani, and Joni Mitchell were seen sporting small “ICE OUT” pins, a symbolic gesture of their opposition to the current immigration enforcement practices in the U.S.

Bad 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.