The Celebs Inspiring Us to Vote This Election Day: Chrissy Teigen, Taylor Swift and More
In case you live under a rock, that's in a cave, hidden behind a boulder, deep in a forest, you're probably (hopefully) aware that today, Tuesday, November 6th, is Election Day in the United States.
However, simply knowing that Election Day exists isn't enough. Despite Millennial and Generation Z population numbers outpacing Baby Boomers in the U.S., young voters consistently show up far less at the polls than their parents and grandparents.
Considering the current political climate in the U.S., that ain't cute. This could also result in election results (and in turn, future political outcomes) not accurately reflecting the true beliefs of a majority of our population.
If you've noticed celebrities increasingly speaking up about political and social issues, urging people to vote like never before, that's why. Here are some of this Election Day's biggest advocates.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are just as outspoken about social issues and politics as they are about banana bread and music. The amount this power couple makes us laugh is only rivaled by how much they inspire us to speak out and vote, and that's why we love them. Having maybe the cutest kids ever helps, too. Hi, Queen Luna!
Yara Shahidi
Grown-ish and Black-ish star Yara Shahidi has been one of Hollywood's most outspoken young stars for a minute now. Shahidi doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk. The actress and activist even started an organization and summit, EighteenX18, to inspire young people to vote. Shahidi, who turned 18 in February of this year, wanted to rally others turning 18 by 2018 to learn about issues and candidates, and vote in the 2018 midterms.
Billy Eichner
By now we're used to comedian and actor Billy Eichner yelling at people about pop culture, but lately he's been shouting about something else; midterm elections. Whether it's TMZ approaching him at the airport, on his Twitter, at awards shows, or on late night TV (see below), Eichner won't shut up about voting, and we love it.
Rihanna
Rihanna has never been shy about, well, anything. Rih's outspoken nature is arguably a huge part of why we all love her and her music so much. Just yesterday (November 4) the Bad Gal publicly blasted President Trump for playing her music without permission at his rallies. While we're never surprised when the influential hitmaker makes her feelings known about social justice issues, including this year's midterm elections, we're grateful each time she does.
Lauren Jauregui
Lauren Jauregui's debut solo single "Expectations" isn't the only fire she's dropped in recent weeks. The former Fifth Harmony singer has also been dropping knowledge on Twitter and Instagram about the importance of voting and these midterm elections. Jauregui has been outspoken about politics for years, most notably in her 2016 open letter to President Trump in which she proclaimed, "I am a bisexual Cuban-American woman and I am so proud of it. I am proud to be part of a community that only projects love and education and the support of one another."
Common
Politics and social justice have been a part of rapper and actor Common's art and career from his 1992 debut album Can I Borrow a Dollar? through his 2014 Oscar and GRAMMY-winning track "Glory" with John Legend, off the soundtrack for Ava DuVernay's Selma. It's no surprise that the Chicago native has been outspoken about the midterm elections.
Taylor Swift
For years Taylor Swift topped charts while catching flack for remaining noticeably quiet on politics, especially leading up to the 2016 Presidential Election. Swift decidedly changed that when she posted the below message to her 112+ million Instagram follower. After this post she's continued to remind people to vote, online and at public appearances like accepting an American Music Award.
Christina Aguilera
Pop icon Christina Aguilera has never shied away from using her voice, literally and figuratively, to make statements about female empowerment, sexism, LGBTQ rights and politics. She campaigned heavily for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Presidential Election, and got involved in voting campaigns in the 2004 and 2008 elections as well. Last month she posted the below video to her Twitter, again using her soulful voice to remind us why it's important we use our voices and vote.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Is there anything Julia Louis-Dreyfus can't do? Whether she's winning countless Emmys and Golden Globes for starring in iconic TV shows like Veep and Seinfeld, her courageous public battle with breast cancer, or speaking out about real-life politics and voting, she remains an inspiration to millions of people around the world.
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande is another celebrity who has won over fans by continuously fearlessly speaking out about equality, sexism, politics and more over the years. While she hasn't been as vocal as some of these other stars about the midterm elections, she was sure to take to Twitter Monday evening (November 5) to remind her millions of fans to vote.
Chelsea Peretti
This week Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Chelsea Peretti's tweet (below) about why everyone should care about voting in this year's midterm elections went viral across Twitter and Instagram. One look at the actress' Twitter feed and it becomes obvious this wasn't nearly her first time posting about voting and politics.
For our American readers 18 and older: Will you be voting today? Tell us why using your voice and voting is important to you.