Billie Eilish's Pay It Forward Live-Stream Supports Her Old Dance Studio, Revolution Dance Center

During a live-stream performance for Verizon's Pay It Forward initiative, Eilish signal-boosted her old dance studio, Revolution Dance Center, a small business that's been struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, many small businesses are undergoing substantial financial strain. In an effort to alleviate some of this pressure, pop sensations Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O'Connell have joined Verizon's Pay It Forward Live series, a weekly live-stream that spotlights celebrities giving back to small enterprises. The Grammy-winning siblings dedicated their performance to Revolution Dance Center, a Californian dance studio where they spent considerable time during their formative years as dancers. Eilish, renowned for her vibrant voice and lyrical acumen, shared on the live-stream that prior to making waves in the music industry, her entire life revolved around dance. To aid Revolution Dance Center, where both Eilish and O'Connell were former students, they conducted a FaceTime call with the studio's proprietors, Julie Kay Stallcup and Darrell Stallcup. They also used the platform to urge viewers of the live-stream to make donations to support the business. Despite facing significant financial adversity due to their studio's closure, Julie Kay and Darrell continue to fully compensate their employees, whilst also providing refunds for those unable to attend classes due to the pandemic. They've adapted to these challenging times by offering virtual dance sessions, ensuring students can stay active while in isolation.

As many small businesses grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, the Stallcups are managing day-to-day uncertainties and have opened up for contributions. To boost this initiative, Eilish recounted her experiences and those of her brother at the dance studio. Of particular note is the narrative of "Ocean Eyes," the track that propelled her to fame. It was birthed from a collaboration with her previous dance instructor, Fred Diaz. Eilish narrated how when she was just 13, Diaz challenged her and her sibling to produce a song to which he could devise corresponding choreography. In only two days, the pair presented "Ocean Eyes" on SoundCloud for Diaz. The track virtually became an overnight internet sensation, marking the commencement of their successful musical journey, credited largely to the dance studio, as shared by Eilish during the live stream. (Related: Billie Eilish Delivered a Powerful Message About Body-Shaming In a Chilling New Performance)

Through its live-stream initiative, Verizon is making a contribution of $10 towards small businesses every time the hashtag #PayitForwardLIVE is used, with a maximum cap of $2.5 million. Eilish expressed her honor in supporting this cause as she said, "It's imperative that we stand by these small businesses in times of crisis, which form an integral part of our community." She went on to commend these local businesses which have had a positive impact on her life and are making efforts to create a positive change in the world.