Celebrities and Their Impact on Elections: A Comprehensive Look
Famous Faces, Political Influence
Celebrities, renowned for their entertainment prowess, are not typically sought for their political insights. However, candidates from across the political spectrum in 2024 have enthusiastically incorporated star power into their campaigns.
From Megan Thee Stallion’s musical performance at Kamala Harris rallies to Kid Rock and Amber Rose’s presence at the Republican National Convention, celebrities have become a prominent presence in the current election cycle.
Rigorous Research: Celebrity Voices Hold Sway
A groundbreaking study by Harvard University’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation reveals that celebrities possess more than just online buzz – they wield significant influence on elections.
According to the research, “there is rigorous evidence that [celebrity] voices are incredibly powerful” in fostering civic engagement and shifting poll numbers.
Apathy and Mobilization: Celebrities as Bridges
Ashley Spillane, the study’s author and a civic engagement and political expert, highlights the low levels of trust among young voters towards traditional institutions and media.
However, celebrities often stand as an exception, offering a unique channel to address the lack of motivation and mobilization that contributes to America’s low voter participation rates.
Culture Shift: Making Voting Trendy
Spillane emphasizes the need to transform the culture surrounding civic engagement, making voting a desirable and fashionable activity.
The study demonstrates that when people perceive voting as cool and trendy, they are more likely to participate, and celebrities are uniquely positioned to amplify this message.
Online Initiatives: Driving Voter Registration and Poll Work
The study uncovers the effectiveness of celebrities in promoting tangible actions such as online voter registration and poll worker volunteerism.
When celebrities share information that empowers people to act, such as providing registration links or polling place locators, it has a substantial impact.
Taylor Swift’s Instagram Influence
In 2018, Taylor Swift’s simple Instagram story encouraging voter registration resulted in an astounding 250,000 new Vote.org registrants within 72 hours.
Similarly, Kylie Jenner’s Instagram post urging her followers to vote in 2020 led to a 1,500% surge in traffic to the registration website and an 80% increase in users registering to vote.
Kerry Washington’s Multi-Platform Impact
Actress Kerry Washington extended her influence beyond her fanbase, rallying other celebrities to promote civic engagement.
The study estimated that her efforts generated $32 million in earned media coverage and over one billion online engagements.
Diversity in Celebrity Engagement
The study examined a wide range of celebrities, including Ariana Grande, David Dobrik, Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, and Trevor Noah.
It analyzed both online and offline engagements, such as television, movies, and merchandise, to provide a comprehensive view of celebrity involvement in civic engagement.
Authenticity and Brand Alignment
The study underscores the importance of authenticity in celebrity activism, demonstrating that effective engagement aligns with their public interests and overall platform.
Celebrities who encourage voter participation often view it as a beneficial act for democracy and their own brands.
Unintended Celebrity Influence: Fan Communities and Memes
In the current election cycle, celebrities have sparked civic engagement even without their explicit intention.
For instance, the “Swifties for Kamala” group emerged among Taylor Swift’s fans, promoting Harris’ campaign with over 57,000 followers.
British artist Charli XCX’s viral tweet “Kamala IS brat” garnered millions of views and memes, inadvertently contributing to the Harris campaign’s digital outreach to Gen-Z.
Impact on Gen-Z and Millennial Voters
The study emphasizes the significance of Gen-Z and Millennial voters, who will constitute the majority of voters by 2028.
These generations spend substantial time on social media, which has become their primary news source, making celebrity voices particularly influential within these demographics.
Outlook: Celebrity Voices in the Electoral Landscape
As the historic 2024 election cycle unfolds, celebrity involvement in civic engagement is expected to continue attracting attention.
The evidence presented in the Harvard study confirms that celebrities, using their influential platforms, can inspire and empower everyday Americans to make their voices heard.
