Chicago Convention: A-List Buzz and Swiftie Excitement
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is set to be a star-studded affair, with Hollywood A-listers descending upon the Windy City to show their support for the party's presidential ticket. While the event marks a shift from the heady days of the Obama era, celebrity enthusiasm for the Democrats remains high, creating a compelling blend of pop culture and politics.
John Legend, who previously performed at the 2008 and 2020 conventions, will headline a show on Tuesday for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. On Wednesday afternoon, "Veep" star Julia Louis-Dreyfus will host a panel with the nation's eight female Democratic governors. That evening, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts will perform at a benefit concert organised by the Creative Coalition, a Hollywood advocacy non-profit. A host of notable actors, including Tim Daly, Uzo Aduba, Anthony Anderson, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, are expected to attend.
Speculation is rife about the potential appearance of two major stars: Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. While no major performer has been officially announced, fans of both singers are hopeful that they will make an appearance. Both artists publicly endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020.
Despite multiple requests for comment, representatives for Swift and Beyoncé have not responded. Spokespeople for the Democratic National Committee and the Harris campaign have also declined to comment on the rumours.
However, it is worth noting that Beyoncé has a history of performing for Democratic politicians. She sang the national anthem at Obama's inauguration in 2013 and headlined a pre-election concert for Hillary Clinton in 2016, with her backing dancers donning blue pantsuits in honour of the potential first female President. Given Vice President Harris's use of Beyoncé's song "Freedom" in her campaign, a performance by the singer wouldn't be entirely out of the question.
Swift, who is currently in the middle of a five-night run of shows in London as part of her "Eras Tour", could theoretically be in Chicago by Wednesday for the final two nights of the convention. While she has yet to make a presidential endorsement this election cycle, recent events have fueled fan speculation about her political stance. A silhouette resembling Vice President Harris was pictured on stage behind Swift, sparking rumours that she had already endorsed her. However, CNN debunked this theory last week, revealing that the silhouette was actually one of Swift's background singers.
Despite the absence of any official endorsement, Swift's legion of fans, the Swifties, are expected to be present in force at the convention. The Democratic National Committee has even announced that "DemPalooza," a series of public events and training sessions, will feature friendship bracelet-making stations, a popular activity amongst Swift fans inspired by the lyrics to "You're on Your Own, Kid" from her "Midnights" album.
Additionally, "Swifties for Kamala," a significant online coalition of Swift fans, organically mobilised on the night President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris in July. The group, which is not affiliated with Swift, has been contacted by the Harris campaign regarding their initiative. While the group's co-founder, Irene Kim, will not be able to attend the convention, their external communications director, Carly Long, has stated that they are "looking forward to partnering with the campaign moving forward to continue to harness that excitement and help new folks volunteer or even vote for the first time."
The Democratic National Convention has also credentialed over 200 content creators to cover the event, marking a strategic move to reach younger voters on social media and a recognition of the changing landscape of political influencers. While A-list celebrities like Swift and Beyoncé draw significant attention, the definition of celebrity is evolving. The convention's audience is likely to break records for social media follower count on the convention floor, showcasing the power of online influence in the modern political arena.
