Australian Activist Says He Was Sent Home From US After Joke About Billie Eilish's House

An Australian activist says he was not allowed into the United States and was sent back to his country. He made social media posts that joked about moving into singer Billie Eilish's house. US border officials detained him for a long time before sending him home.
By Newsroom | World News, United States |

Drew Pavlou, an Australian political activist, alleges he was denied entry into the United States and deported after making social media posts suggesting he intended to move into pop star Billie Eilish's mansion. Pavlou claims these posts were intended as satire and political commentary, sparked by Eilish's "no one is illegal on stolen land" remark at the Grammy Awards. US border officials detained him for an extended period before sending him back to Australia.

Timeline of Events

Pavlou initiated a campaign and made public posts about traveling to the US with the intent to "occupy" or move into Billie Eilish's Malibu home. This followed Eilish's statement at the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, where she stated, "no one is illegal on stolen land." Pavlou launched a fundraiser for his travel and filming costs, initially on GoFundMe and later on GiveSendGo. He posted on X (formerly Twitter) on February 2, 2026, stating his intention to fly to the US the following Friday to attempt to move into Eilish's mansion. He arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where he was detained by immigration authorities. Pavlou claims he spent approximately 30 hours in processing, attempting to explain his online statements were jokes. He was subsequently deported from the US.

Read More: UK to Host Big Meeting on Money Issues

Man Deported From The US After 'Sh*tposting' About Moving Into Billie Eilish's Mansion Claims He Was 'Joking' - 1

Key Figures and Actions

  • Drew Pavlou: An Australian political activist and influencer, known for confrontational campaigns and social media provocations. He is the central figure in this incident, alleging his deportation.

  • Billie Eilish: A globally recognized pop star. Her statement at the Grammy Awards regarding "stolen land" served as the catalyst for Pavlou's actions and online posts.

  • US Border Authorities / Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Officials at LAX who detained and ultimately deported Pavlou.

Pavlou's Account of Events

According to Pavlou, his intention was to stage a form of "performance art" or a satirical protest. He believed his statements were clearly jests, not genuine plans to trespass. He noted that the officers at LAX "laughed at the idea" but proceeded with his deportation nonetheless.

"Billie Eilish got me deported from the US - I think her legal team contacted DHS (Department of Homeland Security)," Pavlou claimed.

Read More: New Way to Vote Could Help American Politics

Pavlou also stated that he was traveling on the "wrong visa" for his intended activities. He later remarked, "And I guess I am just a bad guy." He was reportedly released without charge following his deportation.

Man Deported From The US After 'Sh*tposting' About Moving Into Billie Eilish's Mansion Claims He Was 'Joking' - 2

Immigration and Border Control Processing

Pavlou's experience at LAX involved a prolonged detention of around 30 hours. During this period, he alleges he was interrogated by DHS agents and attempted to persuade them that his social media activities were satirical. Despite his explanations, he was ultimately denied entry and deported.

The "Stolen Land" Commentary

The incident is directly linked to remarks made by Billie Eilish at the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026. Eilish stated, "no one is illegal on stolen land," a comment that drew significant criticism from various groups, including conservative commentators and political figures, who accused her of hypocrisy given her personal wealth and property ownership. Native American tribes, such as the Tongva, also commented on her remarks, noting that her home is situated on ancestral lands.

Read More: UK Says Russia Used Frog Toxin on Alexei Navalny

Man Deported From The US After 'Sh*tposting' About Moving Into Billie Eilish's Mansion Claims He Was 'Joking' - 3

Pavlou's Motivations and Online Activity

Pavlou's online campaign was framed as a response to Eilish's Grammy statement. He launched a fundraiser to support his travel and filming costs for the "attempt to move into Billie Eilish's beachside Malibu mansion." His posts were characterized as "satirical" and "performance art" by himself and some reports.

Official Statements and Evidence

  • Pavlou's Claims: The primary source of information regarding the deportation and its reasons comes from Drew Pavlou himself, through his social media posts and statements reported by news outlets.

  • Lack of Public Evidence: There is no public evidence presented to support Pavlou's assertion that Billie Eilish's legal representatives alerted US authorities.

  • Visa Status: Reports indicate Pavlou arrived in the US with an inappropriate visa for his stated intentions, a factor cited in his deportation.

Official Deportation Grounds

While Pavlou asserts his online posts were jokes and a form of protest, the official grounds for his deportation appear to be tied to his entry with an incorrect visa and potentially the nature of his stated intentions upon arrival, which may have been interpreted by immigration officials as a risk or misrepresentation.

Read More: All Jeffrey Epstein Files Are Now Public, Many Names Included

Man Deported From The US After 'Sh*tposting' About Moving Into Billie Eilish's Mansion Claims He Was 'Joking' - 4

The incident highlights the intersection of social media expression, political activism, and immigration law. Border authorities have the discretion to deny entry based on various factors, including the purpose of travel, prior statements, and documentation. The use of social media for provocative statements can have real-world consequences, even if intended as satire, particularly when interacting with immigration systems.

Conclusion and Implications

Drew Pavlou's deportation from the US following his satirical social media campaign targeting Billie Eilish's mansion underscores the potential repercussions of online provocations, especially when interacting with immigration control. While Pavlou maintains his actions were humorous commentary, US border authorities ultimately denied him entry. The precise interplay between his social media posts, his visa status, and any potential input from Eilish's representatives remains a subject of Pavlou's allegations, with no external verification currently available for the latter. This event serves as a stark reminder of the strictures of international travel regulations and the scrutiny individuals face at international borders based on their expressed intentions and online footprint. Further details regarding the specific immigration statutes invoked during his processing are not publicly available.

Read More: UK and Allies Say Russia Poisoned Navalny with Frog Toxin

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the activist go to the US?
The activist said he was joking on social media about moving into singer Billie Eilish's house after she made a comment at an awards show.
Q: What happened when he arrived?
He was stopped by border officials at the airport and kept for about 30 hours.
Q: Why was he sent back to Australia?
He said he was told he had the wrong kind of visa for what he planned to do.
Q: Did Billie Eilish have anything to do with it?
The activist thinks her team might have told the US government, but there is no proof of this.
Q: Were his social media posts serious?
The activist says his posts were jokes and a form of protest, not real plans.