Billie Eilish poses for a photograph.

Billie Eilish delivered a searing anti-Trump speech at the Democratic National Convention, urging Americans to vote like their “lives depend on it”.

The 18-year-old singer is able to vote for the first time this year and is the youngest ever music artist to appear at the Convention.

“You don’t need me to tell you things are a mess,” she said. “Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about.”

Voicing her support for Joe Biden, she said the country needs leaders who will solve problems such as climate change and coronavirus, rather than “deny them”, and politicians who will fight against systemic racism and inequality.

“And that starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake,” Eilish continued. “Someone who is building a team that shares our values. It starts with voting against Donald Trump and for Joe Biden.

“Silence is not an option and we cannot sit this one out. We all have to vote like our lives and the world depend on it – because they do. The only way to be certain of our future is to make it ourselves. Please register; please vote.”

Eilish then performed her song “My Future” for the first time in public.

Common, Jennifer Hudson and The Chicks were among the other musical performers at the convention.

Eilish and celebrities including Mariah Carey and Rihanna recently signed an open letter supporting police reform legislation in California.