On Nov. 5, millions of Americans will vote in the 2024 United States presidential election. As the most important position in American politics, the president has great power in the shifting tides of American political life. Extremely divisive presidents like Donald Trump are widely seen as worsening division in America, while others such as George Washington are highly revered as exemplary leaders.
In recent cycles, candidates have worked tirelessly to garner endorsements from celebrities. This year, Taylor Swift, Kesha, Charli xcx, and Billie Eilish announced their support for Harris. Likewise, Kanye West, Kodak Black, and Lil Pump declared that they are voting for Trump. The value of celebrity endorsements is high because of the message that they send to potential voters and longtime supporters alike. An endorsement is how the celebrity says, “I believe in you and the value of your ideology. My alignment is with your beliefs.” The blurring of the line between politics and entertainment has the ability to influence how fans develop their values.
Beyond endorsements, celebrities have used their work to make specific commentary on social issues. In her 2022 song “TV,” Billie Eilish sings, “The internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial, while they’re overturning Roe v. Wade.” In the first part, she refers to the cultural obsession with Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s trial. She believes that the coverage of this detracted from the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which was a landmark case for reproductive rights in America. Eilish’s recent endorsement of Harris, a supporter of reproductive rights, strengthens her connection to the movement. By taking a firm stance, she encourages her audience to consider the matter. Parts of Eilish’s audience, which skews towards a younger generation, may have never even considered the issue of abortion. Eilish wants listeners to understand her position while considering their own.
Today, it is difficult to passively consume entertainment. The material that we engage with can be fun and lighthearted, but more than ever it pushes us to look at the broader world. Politics is in our roads, food, water, education, environment, healthcare, and so many other circumstances that have daily bearing on our lives. The celebrities whose work we enjoy are more than just entertainers, they are also messengers of consequential personal principles.
