“Vote like your life depends on it– because it does.”
- Billie Eilish
The intersection of celebrity culture and politics is not new, but the influence has been growing for the last couple of years. Celebrities command a huge following on social media, where, in recent years, they have tended to share their opinions on societal issues. This fact serves to emphasize a large change in the manner of political message circulation.
The most striking example in the 2024 election is the support that Taylor Swift has shown Harris in a post-debate Instagram post. Swift’s post to her 283 million followers, a group largely made up of younger women, aimed to encourage her fans to get interested in the electoral process. She spoke out about Harris and Walz’s support for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. This simple social media post by Swift was transformed into an actual act. In response to her endorsement, Vote.org registered a 65 percent increase in voter registration. That speaks volumes of how celebrity influence electrifies civic engagement.
While the possibility of positive engagement does exist, the phenomenon of celebrity endorsements raises critical questions concerning the nature of influence in political discourse. The risk here lies in the fact that celebrity charisma becomes prioritized over policy substance by voters, thereby watering down the democratic process.
Contrary to Swift's support of Harris, some celebrities simply do not support any candidate at all. For example, pop music up-and-comer Chappell Roan has voiced her apprehension about officially endorsing a political candidate. Her decision to do so reflects a complicated understanding of the level of responsibility for using one's celebrity influence. Roan’s decision quietly speaks about critical thinking and the importance of challenging government.

Despite celebrity influence being questioned at large, the fact remains that many younger voters pay more attention to political issues if such issues come via their favorite celebrities. This is crucial in a time where the turnout for this class of voters has been lower than that in older classes of age brackets. The 2020 election saw a different kind of effort from the celebrity world. Not only did stars share their endorsements, but they also provided direct links to voter registration sites, information about polling locations, and even reminders to vote.
In the 2020 election cycle, the #VoteReady campaign, led by a coalition of celebrities, focused on being prepared to vote. The campaign was made up of videos, social media challenges, and live events targeted at young voters to better understand the mechanics of voting. The level of engagement was indicative: millions of views and shares that represented the capacity of celebrities to fire up excitement in political participation.
The trickiest part of celebrities' involvement in politics is calling on responsible use of influence. Celebrities’ platforms carry a burden of responsibility. The most fruitful endorsements are those that promote informed participation rather than blind adherence to a personality, knowing what the issues and policies of the candidates are, and engaging discussions that go beyond endorsements.
The role of celebrity endorsements in shaping political landscapes is both powerful and complex. Figures like Taylor Swift or Billie Eilish can mobilize young voters and drive them to engage with the electoral process, demonstrating the potential for positive civic participation. However, this influence carries a responsibility to ensure that political engagement is informed and substantive, rather than purely reactionary. As celebrities continue to wield significant social media power, they must embrace a role that promotes critical thinking and informed citizenship.
The dynamic between entertainment and politics will only grow in intensity; both celebrities and voters must strive for a landscape where enthusiasm for participation is matched by a commitment to understanding the issues at hand. Ultimately, the goal should be to inspire a generation of voters who are not only excited to cast their ballots– but also equipped to make informed decisions that shape the future of their democracy.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
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