We’ve all thought it. Many have said it out loud. Shut up and act, sing, dance, or whatever you do that made you a celebrity. You’re not the political influencer you think you are. We don’t like you because of your political beliefs; we like or like you for your talents as a performer. It’s simple and easy to understand.
Just as you won’t take investment advice from the cashier at the supermarket, we’re also not taking political advice from a group of wealthy millionaires who are completely out of touch with the struggle every day Americans are facing and dealing with.
In the lead-up to the recent election, Hollywood’s biggest names rallied hard for Kamala Harris, but the results suggest their efforts didn’t sway voters as they’d hoped. High-profile concerts, social media advocacy, and star-studded events dominated the campaign season as celebrities went all out to make their voices heard. Yet, despite their massive platforms and influence, the electorate appeared to send a clear message: Hollywood’s opinions didn’t carry the weight they might have imagined.
High-profile celebrities openly rallied behind the ticket, with some putting their careers on the line to publicly criticize Trump supporters. The support extended to massive events, including concerts headlined by top artists, organized by Kamala Harris’s team to energize their voter base. Meanwhile, social media became a battleground, with celebrities actively calling out, trolling, and even chastising fans who questioned or opposed Harris and her platform.
Despite all the glitz and the tweets, the message from voters was clear. Hollywood’s intense push didn’t yield the shift they had hoped for, and the election outcome seemed to signal a turn away from celebrity influence in the political sphere. In a time when Americans are increasingly scrutinizing the power and reach of elite voices, the loudest message from voters was a simple one: at the ballot box, Hollywood’s opinions might not matter as much as they think.
Some of the biggest names in music, like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, threw their support behind Harris, framing the election as more than a political issue but a personal call for change. Beyoncé took the stage in her hometown of Houston, while Swift urged her millions of followers to vote for Harris, expressing her own concerns about the future. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Jon Bon Jovi performed at campaign events aimed at energizing key swing state voters.
On social media, stars were just as vocal, and platforms became a rallying ground for celebrity endorsements. Cardi B, known for her unfiltered approach, shared her frustration with Trump supporters and expressed support for Harris’s platform. Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, too, used their reach to push for voter turnout, openly advocating for Harris’s policies and stressing the urgency of the moment.
Despite this full-throttle celebrity backing, Donald Trump’s victory showcased a growing divide between Hollywood’s ideals and those of the wider voting base. The result suggests that while celebrities can raise awareness and amplify their voices, they may not significantly impact voter decisions in the way they anticipate. The 2024 election underscored a reality that star-studded support doesn’t always translate to ballots, highlighting a potential disconnect between Hollywood activism and the broader public’s priorities.