Entertainment
Should Celebrities Stop Telling People Who to Vote For?
Should Celebrities Stop Telling People Who to Vote For?
Here’s The Scoop
Pharrell Williams, the acclaimed hip-hop artist and producer, recently made it clear that he has no interest in diving into the political fray — and he’s often “annoyed” by celebrities who do. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Williams discussed his new Lego animated biopic, “Piece By Piece,” and shared his candid thoughts on the current political climate.
“I am much more of a federal employee. I believe in merited civil service,” Williams stated, expressing his affinity for those who serve the country without partisan loyalty, whether Democrat or Republican. He emphasized his commitment to showing up every day to work for the people, echoing a sentiment that resonates with many Americans who value dedication over political grandstanding.
Williams, who has supported education initiatives and projects aiding minority entrepreneurs, distanced himself from political activism. “I’m more of a humanitarian. I like people trying to help people. Not sure I’ll ever vote far right,” he said with a laugh, but quickly added, “But I don’t really do politics.”
He criticized celebrities who use their platforms to push political endorsements, saying, “I get annoyed sometimes when I see celebrities trying to tell you [who to vote for]. There are celebrities that I respect that have an opinion, but not all of them. I’m one of them people [who says], ‘What the heck? Shut up. Nobody asked you.’”
Williams’ frustration with self-righteous celebrity activism is palpable. “When people get out there and get self-righteous and they roll up their sleeves and s***, and they are out there walking around with a placard: ‘Shut up!’” he exclaimed. His message is clear: he prefers action over empty gestures and believes in making a tangible difference rather than engaging in political theater.
In a time when Hollywood often seems to lean heavily into political discourse, Williams’ stance is a refreshing reminder that not everyone in the entertainment industry is eager to jump on the political bandwagon. His focus remains on meaningful contributions and staying true to his principles, rather than getting swept up in the noise of celebrity endorsements.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Carol
September 19, 2024 at 12:31 pm
I do not listen to celebrity endorsements, but telling them they can NOT “tell us who to vote for” would be a violation of their 1st Amendment free speech rights. No one has to listen to them.
Richard
September 23, 2024 at 7:31 am
The real issue is actually not about alleged “celebrities” telling people who to vote for, but why people give them special credit for a perceived wisdom about what they say? A singer may have great personal musical abilities, or the physical capacity to excell at a sport, but why or how does that translate into an alleged special understanding of any political candidate’s knowledge or ability of how to effectively, lawfully, and fairly govern a Society’s complex system of economic, legal, and social institutions and issues? Common sense should tell you that it doesn’t!
David H
September 23, 2024 at 8:12 am
Richard, You nailed it, I couldn’t agree with you more. We also need to understand the candidate’s positions on policies & how they aligns with our personal & national interests.
Nancy Janzen
September 23, 2024 at 1:08 pm
You got that right why does their ability to catch a ball mean they are smarter than the diploma i got from a university.
Christine Drinkwine
September 23, 2024 at 8:48 am
I totally agree with you, Carol. Celebrities like anyone else have the right of free speech. People need to do their own homework and make up their own minds and vote for the person that their conscience tells them they should.
Glenda
September 23, 2024 at 12:17 pm
You’re so right! I’m perfectly capable of figuring out who I want to vote for based on who is the best candidate for me and my family. I don’t need input from people who don’t live like I do!
Ooenough
September 23, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Make up your ownn mind!
VOTE SMARTER!
VOTE RIGHT!
VOTE TRUMP VANCE!
& FREEDOM!
M. Ricci
September 23, 2024 at 7:32 am
I think if a politician uses AI to make it seem as if an endorsement is given by a celebrity, that celebrity certainly has a right to make it clear he or she was not favoring that political party’s candidate. Encouragement to research and to register to vote is great. If someone tells a person how to vote, I guess we could call that freedom of speech. But, we also have the freedom NOT to listen and the freedom to proceed as we wish.D.P.
Nancy Janzen
September 23, 2024 at 1:10 pm
AI isnt that smart anyway. I had to correct AI telking them it did not matter if 60 or 120 musicians played a symphony it would still take just as long to play it.
Rodrigo M Ubilluz
September 23, 2024 at 7:40 am
I think they have few abilities and general culture is something they never knew nor they care about. So that a clown can be a good one at his job and goes not even know his shoes siize, plus lack of general culture is all across.
Mike Diggs
September 23, 2024 at 7:53 am
They have the same rights we peons do. The problem lies when people think they have wisdom they don’t or do it at their job(while performing concerts, games etc) cause they’re a trained monkey at that point
Stuart
September 23, 2024 at 8:55 am
That should be ‘whom’ not ‘who’.
Tkedo
September 23, 2024 at 2:22 pm
Hollywood Liberal Celebrities are the worst people to listen to. End of Discussion. There is only a few people I agree quite in Hollywood anymore, 98% of them are in fantasy land and they frankly don’t care about anyone but themselves and the money they make! Shut off HOLLYWOOD!
Jerry C.
September 23, 2024 at 2:42 pm
I wish they’d all STFU but we’re the ones who give them the bully pulpit in the first place so we really shouldn’t expect them to not use it.
Jo Co
September 23, 2024 at 3:03 pm
The reason that celebrities tell there admirers how to vote is for Dollars! They would never go against them because, why, Dollars! So its not about rights, its all about the Dollars that they can or can’t get from these folks. As soon as I hear someone in this type of position make these types of endorsements it really makes me wonder why…. Why not spend some of those billions in making the world a better place….
Frank Stevens
September 23, 2024 at 4:01 pm
most celebrities are simply repeating what they’ve told to say, just as they do acting; they’re being paid to perform, nothing more!
Louise Oringer
September 23, 2024 at 9:57 pm
Most celebreties do not have the same concerns regarding the everyday economy costs and burdens. They more than likely do not need to clip coupons or count every penny when they go to the grocery store because they have very i nflated incomes compared to the average working man or woman. Furthermore, what makes them more knowledgeable regarding the intelligence level or ability of the political candidates. Some female celebs want to vote for a female leadership person because she is a woman and they want woman power. One even stated she would vote for Kamala Harris because Kamala didn’t hate New York. REALLY! What nonsense. It may be her reason to vote for Kamala but it shouldn’t necessarily be yours because it doesn’t address the concern of how she would make the economy better for the average, everyday working person.
Russ
September 24, 2024 at 7:52 am
No. People should stop listening to celebrities who try to use their fame to push their politics or sexuality unto them.
Ralph Kramden
September 24, 2024 at 10:18 am
There are no MAGAt celebrities to tell us to vote for Trump.
Stop the MAGA consta-whining.
Mike
September 27, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Most of these celebrities haven’t had to worry about where their next meal is coming from or how they are going to pay rent, mortgage, etc. They live in a fantasy world, unlike real people. They, like all of us, supposedly, have the right to their opinion. I have the right to just not listen. Easy peasy.
Tim Shep
September 29, 2024 at 8:19 am
In my lifetime I’ve needed teachers, Doctors, Lawyers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, nurses etc., etc., but I’ve never needed a professional actor or entertainer.
Shardale
November 5, 2024 at 8:51 am
🤣