The pop star accepted the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards on Thursday night
Billie Eilish in Palm Springs on Jan. 4, 2024. PHOTO:
Billie Eilish was in her feels at the 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards.
On Thursday night, the pop star, 22, accepted the Chairman’s Award for her Grammy-nominated Barbie soundtrack hit “What I Was Made For?” and delivered an emotional speech along with it at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
After receiving a tribute from Barbie director Greta Gerwig, Eilish accepted the award alongside her brother and collaborator, Finneas.
“I would really like to say that this award and any recognition that this song gets, I just want to dedicate to anyone who experiences hopelessness, the feeling of existential dread and feeling like, what’s the point, why am I here and why am I doing this?” Eilish said.
Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish in Palm Springs on Jan. 4. 2024.
KEVIN WINTER/GETTY
Billie Eilish Reveals She’s ‘Almost Done’ with Upcoming Third Album: ‘At Some Point, You Will Know More’
The “Happier Than Ever” singer continued: “I think we all feel like that occasionally, but I think if somebody like me, with the amount of privilege that I have and the incredible things that I get to do and be and how I have really not wanted to be here… sorry to be dark, damn, but I’ve spent a lot of time feeling that way.”
Eilish, who has been candid about her mental health struggles in the past, added: “I just want to say to anyone that feels that way, be patient with yourself and know that it is, I think, worth it all.”
She also said “it’s good to be alive now” after not feeling like that for “a very long time.”
Billie Eilish in Palm Springs on Jan. 4, 2024.
AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC
Eilish also explained that when she and Finneas, 26, were approached to work on the Barbie soundtrack, she “was in a dark episode and things didn’t make sense in life. I just didn’t understand what the point was and why you would keep going. [I was] questioning everything in the world.”
But after the pair watched a 35-minute cut of Gerwig’s film, the concept “resonated” with Eilish.
“I felt so seen, and I did not expect that,” said the “Bellyache” artist, who then incorporated the film’s themes into what would become “What Was I Made For?”
“I think that this movie is the most incredible, most empowering and beautiful and funny and just unbelievable piece of art in the world, and I’m so honored to be a part of it,” said Eilish.
Finneas and Billie Eilish at the World Premiere of “Barbie” at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in July 2023 in Los Angeles.
AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN/FILMMAGIC
Billie Eilish ‘Was Concerned’ Her Career Might Be Over Before She Wrote Her ‘Barbie’ Hit
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
During a red carpet interview with ET at the awards show, Eilish and Finneas also addressed why they didn’t make a cameo in Barbie.
“It wasn’t about that, it wasn’t about that. It was Barbie’s little heart thing, you know? I wasn’t… it’s not about me, it’s about her,” Eilish said, while Finneas added that “it was too late.”