US Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Monday (August 19) night, coming onstage to roaring applause and a rousing Beyoncé song.
But why just the song and not the singer? The buzz had been building for days for a Beyonce moment at the convention – and not just Beyonce, but even beyond Beyonce…
Beyonce
Fans had been hoping the DNC would be rocked by the superstars Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Both had backed the Biden-Harrison ticket in 2020.
Beyonce’s Democratic leanings went back even further. She sang at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2013 and headlined a concert for Hillary Clinton when the latter ran for president in 2016. And the song blasting from the speakers as Harris took the stage? That was Beyonce singing “Freedom: – Harris’ campaign song, chosen with permission from the singer. Surely the singer skewed Democrat and approved of Harris?
Unfortunately, Beyonce was beyond reach and her publicist wasn’t making any comments.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift, meanwhile, was across the pond, singing up a storm in London. However, with her Eras Tour drawing to a close, she could still fly to Chicago in time for the four-day convention, noted some. Will she?
“EXCLUSIVE: Despite the ardent wishes of politicians and pop fans, Taylor Swift will not be appearing at the Democratic National Convention this week,” reported Deadline.
“Everybody loves Taylor, but having her here would overshadow everything,” a DNC insider told Deadline.“Think about it, no one would remember a word the Vice President said in her acceptance speech. All the headlines would be about Swift.”
Taylor Swift, who supported President Biden in 2020, has not made her 2024 preferences known. Donald Trump claimed she had endorsed him this time, but that was fake news.
Harris has the support of the Swifties for Harris, though – Taylor Swift fans who are backing her to the hilt.
Stars in Chicago for Harris
She has star power as well. A constellation is set to sizzle the Chicago convention.
Tony Goldwyn, who portrayed President Fitzgerald Grant III in the ABC drama “Scandal”, was the emcee on the first night of the convention.
Singers Mickey Guyton and Jason Bell entertained the audience.
President Biden and Hillary Clinton
President Biden delivered the keynote address. “America, I gave my best to you,” he said in an emotional speech as he praised Harris. “We love Joe,” responded the audience.
Harris also thanked Biden in her speech.
Hillary Clinton addressed the convention, too, in a rousing call to elect Harris as America’s first female president.
More high moments are to come with other stars and VIPs to work the convention over the next three days.
“The Office” TV star Mindy Kaling and actor Kerry Washington, who played a political fixer on “Scandal,” will host the convention later in the week.
Celebrities, including John Legend and Billy Porter, will headline nighttime parties and concerts. “Veep” TV star Julia Louis-Dreyfus is scheduled to moderate a policy discussion with female governors.
Stars bode well?
Democrats have traditionally been the party backed by Hollywood, and Kamala Harris may have additional star power because her husband, Douglas Emhoff, was an entertainment lawyer.
However, starry company may not always be good for the stars of politicians. Clinton, known for hanging out with the rich and famous, paid dearly for calling Trump’s supporters “deplorables” and lost the election in 2016.
Harris is upbeat about her chances, though. That’s reflected in her campaign song, “Freedom”, where Beyonce sings:
“Hey! I’ma keep running
‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves”.