Words: Madeline Kerr (she/her)
What our favourite celebs are up to is a longstanding interest of the public. We keep up to date on their latest beauty rituals, diets, and their advice on achieving success. However, there are valid concerns over their emerging political role. A celebrity could use this privilege as a force of good, but nonetheless, should there be a line as to where this influence begins and ends? The lines between entertainment, popular culture, and politics are blurry to say the least. Should political endorsements be embraced, or should we be sceptical of this in a world where celebrity influence is a tool of profit?
Celebrity political endorsements are often embraced by their fans however, they generally lack credibility amongst the public. Their stances have often turned out to be malleable, performative, and economically motivated – some have been known to trade in their political values for a profit. Most recently, music artist Stormzy stopped advocating for the Palestinian cause by taking down supportive social media posts due his commitment to a brand deal with McDonalds. Influential individuals tend to support ‘trendy’ causes when it fits their personal agenda but flee from political discussions when it’s inconvenient to them. Performative activism has made the public suspicious of celebrities in politics – if they are so easily bought, their endorsements cannot be trusted. Celebrities may be entering political conversations more than ever through their social media, but this lack of authenticity means they are failing to foster genuine influence.
To share similar experiences of society and discrimination can be empowering for minority groups, and celebrities can provide a positive platform for experiences of struggle. A shared identity in terms of age, gender, class, or nationality allows us to feel understood by people we admire. However, can someone with such affluence truly relate to the socio-economic concerns of the wider population? The unaffordability of housing, childcare, and food is totally unfamiliar to them. They exist beyond the stresses of everyday life as essential items become more out of reach for us ‘average Joe’s’. In the UK, the cost-of-living crisis has somehow become even more unbearable. The amount of people facing the reality of food poverty is continuously increasing. Since 2019, 2.5 million more people are now experiencing food insecurity in the UK. There is a clear disparity between our everyday experiences compared to that of celebrities; people so distant from the consequences of the changing political climate. The question must be asked: how could celebrities experience the intensity of political climates as intimately as the general public do?
This past year has seen many key elections take place globally, including the US’ 2024 presidential election. Beyonce’s endorsement of Kamala Harris’ campaign was hugely embraced by her fans. At a political rally she informed supporters that her presence within the campaign was not as a celebrity, but as a mother, indeed ‘a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in’. Her lived experience as a Black woman in America was significant to Kamala’s campaign, as someone who could identify with the experiences of minority groups and shared a fear of Trump’s second presidential term. Yet, her endorsement was still not enough to secure Kamala’s electoral success. But why exactly was this? Trump’s cultivation of a ‘celebrity personality’ has been hugely appealing to the American public, and extremely effective in captivating audiences, furthering far-right interests. Building a platform based upon populist rhetoric has been incredibly harmful in political spheres. Culturally popular celebrities have been diminished in their political relevance, whilst the “cult of celebrity” around the personalities of politicians is increasingly dangerous.
As celebrities are becoming politicians on social media, it seems that interchangeably politicians are also becoming celebrities. Charisma and humour have allowed them celebrity status. This is effective in furthering the interests of the far right as they grow online audiences and platforms; for example, Nigel Farage’s appearance on the popular reality TV show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, which was initially a controversial move by the show’s producers. However, holding divisive and racist views did not seem to prevent his popularity on screen. Utilizing the media as a tool to make their actions more digestible to the public through humorous TV show appearances has been an effective tactic, yet incredibly damaging.
What it actually means to be a ‘celebrity in politics’ is, to say the least, intensely troubling within current political climates. However, does the challenge lie with culturally relevant celebrities being an often untrustworthy political source? Or does it lie with politicians who can now access the status of celebrity by cultivating audiences through hilarious, yet populist narratives? In a world where influence tends to outweigh authenticity, how can we trust those who use their platforms to shape our political landscape?
A compelling, beautifully written article. Exploring emotional impact, addressing issues associated with the need for social justice. Amazing.