During her Sept. 14 Emmys acceptance speech, actress Hannah Einbinder closed with a resonant statement broadcast live to 7.4 million viewers: “Go Birds, fuck ICE and free Palestine.” In just nine words, she transformed a moment of personal celebration into a platform for resistance, reminding audiences of both the growing influence and effortless reach of the celebrity voice.
Our world knows no shortage of social and humanitarian issues, and given their unparalleled reach, celebrities occupy a unique position of influence when it comes to igniting change. Silence often makes a statement as powerful as expression. With such visibility comes a moral responsibility to leverage their platforms with purpose.
The overlap of activism and stardom is deeply embedded in American pop culture. Public figures have historically been active participants in political discourse, often vocalizing their stances even at personal or professional costs. Muhammad Ali’s outspoken opposition to the Vietnam War temporarily derailed his boxing career, resulting in suspension, the loss of his heavyweight title and criminal prosecution for draft evasion. Decades later, history echoed when The Chicks denounced American involvement in the Iraq War during a 2003 concert. The instant blowback effectively blacklisted the group from the country music scene, inspiring widespread boycotts of its work that forced a 15-year hiatus from the spotlight.
Recently, artists and music labels have wielded their influence to advance concrete social change through the No Music for Genocide campaign. Musicians such as Lorde, Paramore and Clairo are among over 1,000 participants to have geo-blocked access to their music in Israel in protest of the ongoing genocide against Palestinians. While symbolic resistance may not directly contribute to a ceasefire, it delivers a poignant message: Violence will not be rewarded with cultural luxuries. By withholding their art, these celebrities assert that suffering cannot coexist with the comforts of entertainment. Even without direct impact, these gestures interrupt the normalcy that allows atrocities to be ignored, reinforcing a sense of accountability. Such tangible efforts push beyond the limits of speech, demonstrating an acknowledgement of the capacity for action that is crucial in a climate of heightened injustice and crisis.
Some interpret celebrity activism with cynicism, criticizing the entanglement of entertainment and politics for smudging lines that should remain distinct. In reality, this long-standing tradition of outspokenness represents something far more democratic: participation. When public figures speak out about their beliefs and push for social outcomes, they embody the intended role of a citizen at the core of democracy. Engagement is a fundamental duty that falls upon all of us.
Yet, for celebrities, that duty carries amplified weight. With voices that can shift conversations overnight, the responsibility and right to participate in the democratic process take on unparalleled significance.
The power of celebrities to drive meaningful action is undeniable. A 2024 Harvard study found that encouragement from public figures can increase voter registration and turnout, regardless of political outcome. Their influence ripples far beyond the stage or screen, mobilizing audiences and shedding light on causes worthy of our time. When Kylie Jenner urged her Instagram followers to vote in the 2020 general election, the registration site she shared experienced a 1,500% jump in traffic compared to the previous day and an 80% spike in registrants overall.
With rates of voter turnout lagging behind those of other developed nations, American civic participation is an issue that remains evergreen. Public figures can encourage widespread assembly with little more than a perfunctory caption; a wave that can swell into a surge, and a privilege that demands intentional use.
Exposure is burdened with responsibility. With millions attuned to their every move, public figures possess the ability to steer public consciousness toward issues that may otherwise be overlooked. In doing so, they not only invite conversation but also cultivate a more informed and active public, forming the foundation upon which progress takes shape.
Yet this visibility comes with a double-edged sword: Celebrities often face backlash for failure to respond to every political event. In reality, their influence is most potent when authentic and informed, not performatively reactionary. Meaningful expression comes from engagement with causes that are truly resonant to the individual, where their insight and platform can have the greatest impact. At a minimum, celebrities can serve as a starting point for awareness, shining a spotlight without replacing the need for independent critical thought.
When afforded this rare position, remaining silent is more than a missed opportunity — it is a deliberate act of neglect. Neutrality is not a shield to hide behind but a stance in itself, its weight compounded in times of injustice. Inaction is complicity. While it is crucial to ensure a thorough understanding of the issue, even a measured, thoughtful statement can raise much-needed awareness. Intention matters, as does a societal consciousness of the weight we grant opinions simply based on who voices them. With the world watching, a failure to harness influence when surrounded by powerlessness represents an irresponsible form of apathy.
At the end of the day, a celebrity’s opinion is just that: an opinion. As citizens, and more importantly as members of the electorate, we share the responsibility to engage critically with our social climate. Examining the intersection of pop culture and politics with skepticism is necessary to avoid conflating popularity with authority. Still, to assume that individuals would adopt the views of their favorite influencer without hesitation is not only an exaggeration but an insult to the intellect of the American public. The integrity of the democratic process rests on the belief that audiences are capable of independent engagement, evaluation and reflection, rather than blind deference. The true value of celebrity activism lies not in shaping beliefs but in producing awareness, conversation and participation.
Fame is inextricable from the American political landscape, now more than ever, as public figures continue to rise to elected office. Celebrities, like all citizens, bear a duty to contribute to the collective good. The expectation is not perfection, but engagement and accountability. When wielded responsibly, celebrity influence can strengthen democracy — not distort it. The key is found not just in who speaks, but in how we choose to listen.
Taylor Zinnie is a third-year criminal justice and psychology combined major. She can be reached at [email protected].
If you would like to submit a letter to the editor in response to this piece, email [email protected] with your idea.
