Influencer Drew Pavlou Claims Singer's Legal Team Tipped Off DHS After 'Stolen Land' Mansion Stunt

February 16, 2026 | Los Angeles, California — An Australian political activist and social media influencer has publicly accused Grammy-winning singer Billie Eilish of getting him barred from the United States, alleging her involvement led to his detention and swift return home.

Drew Pavlou, a 26-year-old Brisbane-based right-wing commentator known for provocative online campaigns, claimed he was held for 30 hours at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials before being denied entry and flown back to Australia.

The incident reportedly stems from Pavlou's response to Eilish's recent Grammy Awards acceptance speech, where she declared, "No one is illegal on stolen land," and added criticism of U.S. immigration enforcement. Shortly after, Pavlou posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he would "move into" Eilish's reported $6 million Malibu beachfront mansion on the same principle, launching a satirical crowdfunding effort to support the "relocation."

"Exciting news: I’ve decided to move into Billie Eilish’s $6 million Malibu beachfront mansion because no human being is illegal on stolen land," Pavlou wrote in an early February post.

On February 15, he escalated his claims, posting: "Billie Eilish got me deported from the US — I think her legal team contacted DHS. I spent 30 hours at LAX immigration trying to explain that my s*** posts were just a joke and that I didn’t actually plan to personally move into her mansion."

Pavlou shared what appeared to be removal documentation and suggested Eilish's representatives compiled a "dossier" on his activity, though no direct evidence linking the singer or her team to the immigration decision has surfaced. Community notes on his posts and reporting from outlets like Newsweek have clarified that he was denied entry rather than formally deported after arrival, a key distinction in U.S. immigration law.

Multiple media sources, including Fox News, the New York Post, and Australian outlet news.com.au, have covered Pavlou's allegations, which have gone viral amid debates over free speech, immigration policies, and perceived hypocrisy. Critics online have accused Eilish of supporting deportations despite her anti-ICE remarks, while others point to standard border screening processes—including reviews of social media history—as more likely explanations for the denial.

Eilish has not responded publicly to the claims, and representatives for both the singer and DHS have not issued statements. Pavlou has framed the episode as a form of "performance art" gone awry, but the incident highlights tensions in post-election U.S. immigration enforcement, where social media posts have reportedly influenced entry decisions for some international visitors.

The story continues to unfold on social platforms, with supporters and detractors weighing in on whether Pavlou's stunt crossed into harassment or remained protected satire.