Celebrities and elections
Zohran Mamdani clinched the New York City mayoral race with 50.4% of the vote, making history as the first Democratic socialist mayor and one of the city’s youngest. His campaign garnered multiple celebrity endorsements, highlighting that celebrity influence in the world of politics.
Do celebrities really sway voters?
Research suggests they can. A New Statesman poll found that teenagers in the UK are often influenced more by cultural figures and social media personalities than by traditional politicians or parties. And with the voting age set to be lowered to 16 in the UK, that influence could soon become even more significant. But while not all young people are currently eligible to vote right now, celebrity endorsements can still drive interest, conversation and peer influence among future voters.
Any famous examples?
History is full of instances where star power made a difference. In the US, Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 is credited by Pew Research with boosting youth engagement and voter turnout. More recently, musicians and actors have used social media to amplify political messages. For example, Taylor Swift’s 2024 endorsement of Kamala Harris reached over 200 million Swifites and, in the 24-hour window following, the Vote.gov website saw 13 times (Taylor’s lucky number, weirdly) more visitors than usual.
Then there’s the NYC election: Mamdani’s campaign sparked a swathe of celebrities taking to social media to confirm their support – including model Emily Ratajkowski sporting a “Hot Girls for Zohran” tee.
How do they do it?
Celebrities reach audiences in ways traditional campaigns struggle with. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube allow them to speak directly to fans, often blending personal storytelling with political messaging. Peer influence compounds this effect: when teens see people they admire discussing an issue, it can shape their own views or prompt them to learn more.
Are there limits to their influence?
For sure. Not all endorsements translate into votes. Factors like credibility, authenticity, and alignment with a candidate’s platform matter. Studies also show that overreliance on celebrity voices can backfire, especially if followers perceive it as opportunistic or insincere.
Why does it matter now?
Younger voters may not always be able to hit the ballot, but their engagement can ripple through social networks, shaping family discussions and community attention. With elections increasingly fought online, understanding the intersection of celebrity culture and politics is more important than ever – whether in NYC, London or beyond.