Hollywood A-listers are lending their star power to this week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. The DNC will feature a lineup of celebrities who will serve as hosts during the four-day event.
Each day of the convention will feature a different host to deliver opening remarks and introduce guest speakers. Actor and producer Tony Goldwyn will kick off the event on Monday, followed by "The View" co-host Ana Navarro on Tuesday and comedian-actress Mindy Kaling on Wednesday. Actress and activist Kerry Washington will host the the final day of the DNC.
Day 1: Tony Goldwyn
One of Goldwyn’s best-known roles is his portrayal of President Fitzgerald Grant III in the political drama show "Scandal" from 2012 to 2018. Goldwyn will take politics to a real-life stage in his appearance at the DNC when he delivers opening remarks and introduces guests, including President Joe Biden, on day one.Goldywn supported Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in 2016 when he appeared at the DNC eight years ago.
“Hillary says we can’t hide from these hard truths about race and justice in America,” Goldwyn said at the DNC. “We have to name them and own them, and then change them. That’s what she’ll do as President.”
Day 2: Ana Navarro
Navarro will host the DNC’s second night when Vice President Kamala Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff, as well as former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are scheduled to speak.The View co-host and refugee also serves as a political commentator for various news outlets. Navarro on Sunday announced her hosting duties in a video she posted to social media where she called the opportunity to “help my girl Kamala make history” a “mind-blowing moment.”
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me,” Navarro said. “Look, I’m a little refugee girl who fled Communism, who fled Nicaragua at the age of eight, found freedom, found opportunity, found a home in America.”
Navarro also serves as a political commentator for CNN.
Day 3: Mindy Kaling
Kaling, best-known for her role as Kelly Kapoor in the popular TV sitcom "The Office," will assume hosting duties on Wednesday the same day that former President Bill Clinton is set to speak. Harris's running mate, Tim Walz, will also deliver his acceptance speech on Wednesday night.The Indian-American actress and comedian has used her star power in the past to express support for Harris, appearing alongside Harris in a virtual campaign event for President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential bid. The actress has also been featured in several YouTube videos with Harris. In a 2020 video, Kaling spoke with Harris about politics and their common perspectives as women and women of color.
“I think it’s your stance about minimum wage, about universal health care and protecting that, about women’s reproductive rights, about ending the practice of private prisons,” she said, adding that she is an "issues-based" voter.
Day 4: Kerry Washington
Washington will close out the convention on Thursday. The actress starred alongside Goldwyn in "Scandal" and played the role of White House communications director. Although she portrayed a political role on television, she is also a real-life political activist and founder of the organization Influence Change. She was also one of the hosts for the DNC in 2020.The actress praised Biden for stepping aside in the 2024 presidential race, calling it a “bold and brave move,” while celebrating Harris’s ascension to the top of the 2024 Democratic ticket.
“Make no mistake,” Washington wrote in a post on X. “Our fight now remains EXACTLY the same. We must do everything we can to prevent another Trump presidency and an authoritarian government,” she said, adding that she believe Harris can win.
Harris is scheduled to officially accept the Democratic presidential nomination on Thursday night.
Hollywood Democrats
Many Hollywood actors have openly expressed their support for the Democrat party and in the past have used their fame to promote their politics and encourage fans to vote. A-list actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts famously endorsed Obama's bid for president. Bill and Hillary Clinton also had a close circle of celebrity friends including director Steven Spielberg, actor Sean Penn, and Clooney.Although Hollywood may historically lean Democrat, prominent public figures have also come out in support of the Republican ticket. Singer Kid Rock and UFC mogul Dana White recently appeared at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to stump for the Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump. Tesla co-founder Elon Musk has also openly endorsed Trump and recently hosted an interview with the 45th president on his social media platform X.