Fans buy celebrity-endorsed perfumes, alcohol and clothing brands, but some even buy into celebrities’ presidential candidate endorsements.
With the presidential campaign drawing to a close, many celebrities have let fans know which candidate they’re supporting. Endorsements have been declared over the past few months in the form of social media shout-outs, YouTube videos and campaign appearances.
Team Obama: Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Jay-Z, Will Ferrell, Julianne Moore, Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Eva Longoria, Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, George Clooney.
Team Romney: Kid Rock, Kelsey Grammar, Clint Eastwood, Chuck Norris, Lindsay Lohan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jeff Foxworthy, Donald Trump, Jack Nicklaus, Ted Nugent, Gene Simmons, Adam Sandler.
Pop singer Katy Perry appears to be dressing for her candidate’s success. Perry has sported election apparel at several of her concerts in the past month. A blue dress featuring the “Forward” campaign slogan and a ballot frock with the Obama box selected have made Perry’s stance clear.
Clint Eastwood made a splash with his unorthodox endorsement of Mitt Romney at the GOP convention. The Hollywood giant mocked an empty chair occupied by an imaginary President Obama. The off-the-wall endorsement tactic drew criticism, compliments and the ire of comedians.
Will Ferrell lent his comedic brand to a YouTube video, proclaiming he will do anything to get people to cast their votes on Nov. 6. “I will personally give you a tattoo,” Ferrell unflinchingly promised. “Fair warning, I do not know how to draw.” Ferrell concludes the video by telling viewers a vote for Obama is a “slam dunk.”
Laura Johnson, mathematics junior and Will Ferrell fan, said she can’t help being influenced by Ferrell’s endorsement video.
“I love Will Ferrell,” Johnson said. “I’m not a supporter of Obama, but Will liking him does make me want to listen to him more.”
Johnson said the celebrity endorsements, and ensuing press coverage, serve as an affirmation of the stars’ importance in realms outside of the entertainment industry.
“It strengthens the notion that celebrities are more than people, that their opinions mean more than mine or yours,” Johnson said.
Kara Samson, sociology department administrative coordinator, said stars should keep their political opinions to themselves as they may discourage voters from researching candidate platforms.
“There are lots of not well-informed people that will follow the decisions of celebrities they like instead of doing their homework,” Samson said.
Pop singer Katy Perry, sporting a skin-tight minidress with President Barack Obama's campaign slogan "Forward" emblazoned across it, sings at a rally for Obama, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer)
