Hollywood showed up in force for Kamala Harris at DNC, even if Beyoncé and Taylor were absent

As a long-time observer of politics and pop culture, I must say that the intersection of these two worlds has always intrigued me. In my younger days, I remember being captivated by Bill Clinton’s use of pop culture to connect with voters, particularly his saxophone performance on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” It was a masterful move, one that resonated deeply with the American people and helped him secure the presidency.

If you were one of those who anticipated Beyoncé appearing live during the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, you might have felt let down when Leon Panetta, without a hint of glittery embellishments on his simple blue suit, took the stage instead.

Since Queen Bey allowed Kamala Harris’ campaign to use “Freedom” as their theme song weeks ago, there has been growing anticipation that she might perform at the convention and potentially collaborate with another pop powerhouse, Taylor Swift, to help elect a woman as President. On Thursday, these theories gained momentum on social media, mainly due to a tweet from an anonymous user hinting at a surprise performance on the last night of the event.

If the Bey-Tay rumors, without confirmation, seem like a wave of widespread excitement online, it’s also clear why people got caught up in the speculation surrounding show business. The star power during the four nights of the Democratic National Convention was so strong, the atmosphere so hopeful, that it seemed natural for two celebrities whose fame and influence extend beyond a rapidly fragmenting cultural sphere to appear as well.

2024 may seem challenging, but the organizers managed to transform the event, initially rescheduled due to President Biden’s withdrawal from the race, into a highly anticipated television spectacle just weeks prior.

The Democratic National Convention was quite diverse culturally, catering to a wide range of tastes, except possibly for supporters of veteran wrestlers. It featured musical performances from artists like Jason Isbell, Pink and her daughter Willow Sage Hart, Patti LaBelle, Sheila E., Stevie Wonder, and Lil Jon, who transformed the state roll call into an energetic dance party. Each night was hosted by celebrities, with Mindy Kaling making jokes about Bennifer 2.0’s breakup, Kerry Washington organizing a reunion of her “Scandal” co-star Tony Goldwyn, and Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving “SNL” cast member, performing a humorous yet chilling sketch about Project 2025.

1) Steph Curry, Golden State Warrior player, and his coach Steve Kerr both gave their endorsements. Over the first three nights, approximately 20 million viewers tuned in each time, while Thursday night drew a crowd of 26 million – surpassing the viewership of the Republican National Convention held last month. Similar to the Oscars, some memorable moments didn’t come from famous celebrities but rather from everyday individuals like Gov. Tim Walz’s son, Gus, who showed great emotion when he saw his father on stage.

Without Beyoncé making an appearance, Oprah Winfrey’s surprising visit on Wednesday stole the spotlight. Known as a media titan, she came back to Chicago – the city where she constructed her empire – to passionately support Harris as “the epitome of America.” Previously, Winfrey has demonstrated political influence: A study shows that her endorsement of Barack Obama in 2007 likely earned him around a million votes.

And while few stars these days wield her kind of influence, they can still have a potent voice.

“When a trusted source communicates about participating in our democracy in an authentic way, people are responsive,” said Ashley Spillane, who was author of a study by the Ash Center for Governance at Harvard University, which looked at efforts by celebrities like Billie Eilish and Washington to mobilize voters. It found that celebrities can have a powerful influence on the electorate — if the conditions are right. “The most important thing was that they were delivering a message to their community of fans in a way that felt on brand and authentic. As long as you are talking to people in your community in a way that is transparent and relatable, you can have a very significant impact,” Spillane said.

Over the past month, and particularly in the last four days, the enthusiasm for Kamala (a nickname) has grown significantly, leading people to draw parallels with Obama. Even though he’s no longer president, Obama continues to be adored by Hollywood. Together with his wife, Michelle, who was once first lady, they have established a successful film production company that won an Oscar.

The Democratic National Convention presented a marked difference from the Republican National Convention, where a select few celebrities, many of whom gained their fame in the previous millennium and have been entangled in controversies, played secondary roles in an event that primarily showcased unwavering devotion to one individual: Donald Trump. The lineup included Hulk Hogan, whose infamous use of a racial slur in a sex tape is well-known; musician Kid Rock, who often displayed the Confederate flag at his concerts despite hailing from Michigan; and Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White, who was caught on camera striking his wife last year. If any speeches by Republicans other than Trump left an impression, it was for how unabashedly they fawned over him after initially being his critics.

Despite their frequent criticisms of “Hollywood liberals,” it’s often the Republicans who seem to value celebrities more, regardless of how insignificant or low-key they might be in cultural terms. As long as these personalities express support for their party, and especially Trump, they are considered suitable. The 2016 convention, for instance, showcased numerous names that could have been featured on a “where are they now?” special, including Scott Baio from “Charles in Charge,” Antonio Sabato Jr. from “General Hospital,” and Rachel Campos-Duffy, a former cast member of “The Real World.”

It’s notable that Trump and his vice-presidential candidate, JD Vance, were both pushed towards politics due to rejections from Hollywood and the liberal community. Trump, who felt slighted when “The Apprentice” was overlooked at the Emmys and often inflated the show’s ratings – even to TV reporters – spent years hinting at a presidential run. According to Roger Stone, it was the harsh ridicule he received from Obama and Seth Meyers at the 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner that finally convinced Trump to seriously consider a White House bid. Vance initially gained fame as a Republican who opposed Trump, writing the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” which liberals read to comprehend the grievances of rural white voters. However, when the film adaptation, directed by Ron Howard, received poor reviews, it reportedly served as a turning point for Vance, who soon transformed into a MAGA supporter and successfully secured a Senate seat in Ohio.

Historically, Democrats have excelled at attracting well-known personalities to their causes, as pointed out by Roth. In fact, over the course of various elections, they’ve been significantly more successful in this area compared to those on the opposite side.

In 1992, Bill Clinton secured victory in the White House, bolstered by his clever integration of pop culture, notably his saxophone performance on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” Remarkably, Fleetwood Mac reunited for the first time in years to perform at his inauguration in 1993 – an accomplishment akin to persuading Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to sing together in public today.

However, it’s important to be mindful of potential pitfalls, especially within a group often accused of being elitist, when providing significant platforms to well-known celebrities whose backgrounds might not align with the ordinary populace.

Roth stated that it’s misleading to consider it as being close to the glitz and glamour. Instead, she suggested that the essential questions should be: “How can we utilize individuals for their exceptional talent in storytelling? How can we guarantee they’re connected to the problems and people who are directly experiencing them?”

Initially, Biden enjoyed backing from Hollywood, particularly during private fundraising sessions. However, his disappointing debate performance in June caused figures like George Clooney to urge him to withdraw. After he resigned on July 21st, the Democratic party swiftly rallied behind Harris, and her campaign has since attracted an ardor similar to Obama’s in 2008 from Hollywood stars.

Following Biden’s declaration, British pop sensation Charli XCX expressed her support for Kamala Harris by tweeting, “Kamala is the cool one.” This statement sparked a wave of memes that appealed to Gen Z, perplexing their elders. At Harris’ inaugural rally in Georgia, Megan Thee Stallion made an appearance. Although not explicitly stating her endorsement, Beyoncé offered the campaign both a theme song and a slogan that encapsulates its stance on various topics, including abortion and gun control.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the immense esteem accorded to Swift’s endorsement. Although she hasn’t voiced her opinion in this year’s election, her 2020 support for Biden has left an indelible mark. Remarkably, even Trump felt compelled to fabricate and disseminate misleading images of Taylor, portraying her as Uncle Sam, with the caption, “Taylor wants you to vote for Donald Trump.” Such is the power of her influence.

According to Spillane, founder and president of Impactual – a social impact agency, both Taylor Swift and Beyoncé boast massive fan bases that thrive on communal experiences. It’s only logical for their admirers to seek out platforms and individuals who can facilitate these connections.

DNC organizers ensured that established celebrities didn’t eclipse the emerging talents within the party or their nominee during the convention. It’s now clear why they declined invitations from big names like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to perform, even if they had offered: Their presence could have undermined the campaign’s effort to project an aura of everyday-ness and connectability. Instead of discussing Kamala Harris’ speech, audiences would likely have focused on Swift’s attire and whether Travis Kelce attended as well.

The gathering was more about highlighting the abundant talent within the Democratic Party than it was about famous activists, featuring notable figures such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, whose speeches were eagerly awaited, much like the headlining acts at a music concert.

Roth mentioned that people are thrilled to find a contender they wholeheartedly support, and they’re also pleased to see their concerns addressed in such a clear manner during the debate.

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2024-08-24 02:33