Celebs Who Got Political On Live TV
Published -
- July 4, 2018
- 2:00 pm
With the advent of technology, celebrity opinions on a wide range of political and social issues have become more accessible than ever.
And their power to influence public opinion at the polls, and in the streets, is now commonplace. Whether you agree with them or not, stars are using their amplified voices to advocate for the causes they believe in with no apologies. From heated Oscar speeches to taking a knee during the national anthem, here are a few celebrities throughout the years who’ve gotten political on live TV…
Ali and the Vietnam War | 0:28
Sarandon and Robbins fight HIV | 1:12
Sally Field and the war | 1:54
Sean Penn and gay rights | 2:34
Mark Ruffalo and the pipeline | 3:06
Kaepernick takes a knee | 3:43
Viola Davis and the Women’s March | 4:32
What was the significance of the 1968 Miss America pageant protest?
It is not uncommon for celebrities to use their platform and fame to speak out on various social and political issues. Over the years, there have been multiple instances of celebrities getting political on live TV, making bold statements, and starting conversations that transcend the entertainment industry. Here are some notable examples of celebrities getting political on live TV.
In 1968, during the Miss America pageant, activists interrupted the event to protest the beauty standards and sexist practices of the pageant. Among these activists was Rosie Ruiz Rivera, who later went on to participate in the Boston Marathon and caused a stir with her controversial win. This protest marked the first time that political activism was showcased on live television.
Another prominent example of celebrities using their platform for political advocacy is the infamous moment when Kanye West declared his support for Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live. It sparked a nationwide debate and sparked both outrage and support from various corners of the media.
In January of 2017, during the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the cast of the Netflix series Orange is the New Black took the stage and spoke out against President Trump’s immigration policies. Actress Taylor Schilling read a statement, saying, “We stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters. We stand with those in the LGBTQ+ community. We stand with those who’ve lost their healthcare.” This statement had a widely positive reception and helped to bring the conversation around immigration policies to the forefront of national discussion.
During the 2018 Emmy Awards, actress Rachel Brosnahan used her acceptance speech to call attention to the importance of voting, saying: “One of the things that I love about this show is that it represents something important. It represents the power of women speaking up and speaking out, and finding their voice. But it also represents the importance of voting.” Her speech served as a rallying cry for people to engage in political discourse and make their voices heard through the democratic process.
In conclusion, there have been many instances of celebrities getting political on live television. These moments can spark valuable conversations, engage people in social and political issues, and bring important topics to the forefront of the national conversation. We can expect more from celebrities who stand up for their beliefs and speak out on important issues in the years to come.
