The convergence of politics and celebrity culture has become the focal point as we’re near the 2024 presidential election and in a more predictable way than one would imagine. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s recent endorsement and active campaigning for Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris on July 30 sparked criticism on X (formally Twitter), with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee, entertainment host, calling the performance, well, “performative” and others calling the spectacle a complete “slap in the face” to the Black community. Other users labeled such criticism “hypocritical” compared to model and media personality Amber Rose at the 2024 Republican National Convention endorsing returning presidential candidate Donald Trump.
In her strategic blue pantsuit, the Houston rapper performed several of her hit songs, including “Body” from her 2020 album Good News. Her rallying cry to the crowd of 10,000, “I know my ladies in the crowd love their bodies. And if you want to keep loving your body, you know who to vote for,” may have been innocent in its intent to mobilize her ‘Hotties for Harris’ fan base. However, it raises critical questions about the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on entertainment to engage with Black voters. Our society’s excessive embrace of celebrity culture could significantly affect our cultural and political landscape.
Megan Thee Stallion, known for her hit songs and unapologetic persona, is a powerful cultural icon in female rap today. She has become a force for embracing one’s body and sex positivity, as we saw in her performances at the ESSENCE Festival 2023 and her Hot Girl Summer tour this year. Aligning herself with Vice President Kamala Harris brings enthusiasm and media attention that few politicians can muster. It’s understandable to engage with the youth in more diverse electorates and showcase the evolving landscape of political endorsements. However, this marriage of entertainment and politics is not without its pitfalls, as such endorsements oversimplify and trivialize the complex and pressing issues facing the Black community.
The reliance on celebrities to mobilize Black voters risks perpetuating a narrative that the Black vote can be secured through entertainment pandering and media personality rather than through substantial policy discussions and influential change. This does not negate the political endorsement of Donald Trump by many notable Black celebrities, including hip-hop stars like Kanye West, Azealia Banks, and most recently, St. Louis rapper Sexyy Red.
When political campaigns heavily rely on celebrity endorsements, there is a danger that the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world will overshadow these critical issues. Moreover, this dynamic reinforces a longstanding stereotype that Black Americans are primarily influenced by entertainers and athletes rather than intellectuals, activists, and community leaders. African-American revolutionary and pioneer Malcolm X criticized the image of Black celebrities as leaders, calling them “puppets” more than 60 years ago.
For decades, the Black community has grappled with systemic issues such as economic inequality, racial discrimination, police brutality, and inadequate access to quality education and healthcare. The body camera video footage was released of the untimely death of Sonya Massey, 36, who was fatally shot and killed by former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson on July 6 after calling Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office of a possible prowler outside her home. Massey’s mother even asked police not to harm her as Massay was experiencing a mental health crisis the day before she died. On March 9, teen Ryan Gainer, 15, was shot by California sheriff deputies. Gainer was described as autistic and to have been struggling with additional mental complications, with a family member asking why deputies didn’t use a Taser instead. These situations and continued instances require comprehensive policy solutions with law enforcement. Both Massey’s and Gainer’s stories raise urgent questions about the treatment of mental health crises by the police. Unarmed responders advocate avoiding calling the police altogether when you or someone you know is experiencing a possible illness-related health crisis.
Megan Thee Stallion has been no stranger in discussing her mental health struggles as per being a victim in the 2020 shooting that left her injured in the foot. The rapper has been candid in her battles with depression and encouraging young adults to create safe spaces centering mental health in a PSA for “Seize the Awkward.” Megan is also a college graduate, having graduated from Texas Southern University in 2021. Acknowledging and amplifying the contributions of celebrities is hugely beneficial as two things can be true regardless of public appeal. Celebrities often possess the nuanced understanding and lived experience necessary to advocate for effective and lasting solutions for working-class individuals and average citizens, irrespective of educational background.
Megan Thee Stallion’s campaigning for Kamala Harris has presented itself as a double-edged sword. She is not the first, nor will she be, the last in the entertainment spectacle of Black celebrity political endorsement. It brings much-needed visibility and excitement to the election, as Kamala is breaking down many barriers for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) women in politics. However, it also highlights the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on entertainment to engage with Black voters. To truly earn the trust and support of the Black community, political candidates must urgently prioritize meaningful discourse on the underlying issues still going unprioritized. Can we move towards a political landscape that respects and values the complexities of the Black American experience?
Kee’nan started working in digital media as a copyediting intern for Musée Magazine, a contemporary art photography-based digital quarterly magazine and website. Following this, he contributed as a proofreader for ODDA Magazine, a biannual contemporary fashion and culture publication, and he contributed editing credits to their Fall/Winter 2023-24 September issue. Kee’nan has now shifted his focus to cultural criticism.
