Actresses Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling, alongside other notable individuals, have been appointed as hosts for the Democratic National Convention.
As reported initially by CNN, each celebrity will lead one night of the four-day event, acting like a host for an award show, beginning with an introductory speech and reappearing throughout to assist in navigating the programming.
Goldwyn will take the opening slot on Monday, followed by Navarro on Tuesday, Kaling on Wednesday, and Washington concluding the event on Thursday, where Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepts the Democratic nomination.
All four hosts have a history of backing the Democratic Party, even publicly advocating for candidates.
Washington, renowned for her political activism in Hollywood, leads her own political nonprofit, Influence Change, urging fellow artists to promote civic engagement. She played a pivotal role in the 2020 DNC, opening the third night, and also spoke at the 2012 DNC. The actress and activist, who featured as a political fixer on Shonda Rhimes’ “Scandal,” also headlined the 2012 DNC.
Washington's “Scandal” co-star, Goldwyn, assumed the role of the president in the ABC drama. Besides his acting endeavors, Goldwyn is an activist who has advocated for Democratic causes. He endorsed Hillary Clinton's presidential bid in 2016. Previously this summer, before President Joe Biden decided against a second term, Goldwyn partook in a reproductive rights event with Biden's reelection campaign.
Kaling and Harris collaborated on a cooking video in 2019, creating masala dosa, a South Indian dish. In the video, Kaling and then-Senator Harris discussed their shared Indian heritage. The video resurfaced attention lately, following former President Donald Trump's social media post trying to undermine Harris' racial identity.
Navarro, a Republican, has offered support to Democratic candidates for a decade, ever since Trump entered politics. Navarro, a TV commentator and political strategist, contributing to CNN and co-hosting ABC’s “The View,” admitted to voting for a Democrat for the first time in 2016, backing Clinton's campaign against Trump. Navarro expresses her allegiance to Harris.
Famous celebrities have shown support for Harris' campaign in recent times. Hollywood presence at previous Democratic conventions has been noteworthy, but Harris' popularity has drawn comparisons to the entertainment community's backing of former President Barack Obama.
Despite the Harris campaign's embrace of celebrity endorsements, a source close to the convention plans disclosed that the focus will primarily remain on genuine American individuals and their concerns. Nonetheless, by partnering with well-known stars, the campaign intends to amplify its message using their dedicated fan bases.
Besides celebrities, the DNC will also welcome political heavyweights. The Obamas and the Clintons will deliver speeches, while Biden will kick off the convention with a call to elect Harris.
The four hosts, Goldwyn, Navarro, Kaling, and Washington, are using their platform in entertainment to advocate for their political beliefs and support Democratic candidates. Goldwyn’s involvement in reproductive rights events and Washington's leadership of Influence Change are prime examples of this blend of entertainment and political activism.
