We Don't Have to Know Everything About Our Pop Culture Icons: If They Don't Want to Get Political, Let Them Be

by Julian Spivey

​We’re down to 40 days before the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, and it’s already pretty much consumed the everyday lives of Americans and will continue to do so until the election is decided (which may or may not be on Election Day).

When you spend as much time consuming pop culture as I do, you start to see the election and politics seeping into the pop culture world as the election nears.

The most significant pop culture meets the election moment came a few weeks ago when pop music sensation Taylor Swift endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for President while encouraging her fans within the U.S. to register to vote and vote.

This caused outrage among some, primarily those who will vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump. Some don't like it when celebrities endorse politicians in general, no matter whom they’ll be voting for in November.

My perspective on celebrity endorsements has always been that it’s the celebrity's right, as any other American, to share whom they want to vote for and why. If I can speak out about my preferred political candidates on my social media outlets, Swift and Kid Rock have every right to do so on their platforms.

It’s risky, though, for celebrities.

Swift undoubtedly has fans of all political backgrounds, and endorsing a particular candidate may turn those fans off from her music. It doesn’t mean she should keep her mouth shut and sing. It simply means there are pros and cons to celebrities endorsing politicians. She’s no doubt weighed these pros and cons and made her decision.

I’ve never let a celebrity endorsement or celebrity commenting on politics change my feelings about their art. But there have been celebrities I’ve come to view as idiots and lost respect for personally because of their political views, and it’s an unfortunate feeling to have about someone whose work you admire.

It’s the risk the celebrity takes when they venture to talk about matters unrelated to their day jobs. And I will always stand by their right to do so because – as I’ve said – I reserve the right to do the same.

One thing I’ve seen lately that has bothered me about politics and celebrities is the demand for celebrities to spill their guts about their political opinions.

When you go to your local polling place on Election Day, you enter a booth because your vote is confidential. It’s your vote and yours alone, and you don’t have to share it with anybody.

The same confidentiality given to us regular Joes and Jills should be afforded to celebrities.

Fans and, especially, the media shouldn’t inquire about celebrities' political endorsements, affiliations or opinions unless the celebrity offers them up.

You’ll seldom hear/read me saying specific questions should be off-limits to the press. It’s truly a no-win situation for many celebrities when it comes to being asked about politics as a non-answer can be viewed in today’s world as just as deadly to one’s reputation as answers regarding politics.

Many celebrities are brave or dumb (depending on how you view such things) enough to discuss political topics, leanings, opinions, etc. If they offer up the topic, please ask away as often and as much as you’d like. But for those who don’t want to be involved with politics out in the open, let’s afford them the privacy they deserve. We don’t have to know everything about our favorite pop culture icons.