Hollywood adds star power to Kamala Harris candidacy

A growing list of Hollywood celebrities have shifted their support to US Vice-President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

Just a month ago, Hollywood's elite turned out in force for a fundraising event for Biden, organized by former DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. The event raised more than $30 million, making it the largest single-evening campaign haul in Democratic history. Attendees included George Clooney, Barbra Streisand and Julia Roberts.

Beneath the surface camaraderie at the fundraising event, however, signs of strain emerged due to Biden's meandering answers. Influential Hollywood figures, who had consistently supported the president, expressed significant concerns about the 81-year-old's cognitive abilities, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Biden's disastrous debate performance against former president Donald Trump on June 27 further compounded those concerns. Loyal supporters, previously steadfast in their backing, began advocating for him to step down.

The cascade of influential voices calling for change significantly shifted the political landscape, leading to increased support for Harris. On Sunday, Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House and endorsed Harris to succeed him.

Biden's decision to not seek re-election was praised by Democratic political figures and personalities. Clooney, in a statement to CNN, said Biden displayed "true leadership" and, "We're all so excited to do whatever we can to support Vice-President Harris in her historic quest."

On June 10, the actor wrote a blistering op-ed for The New York Times, stating, "I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee."

Andre Morgan, a film and television producer, told China Daily that Hollywood still loves Biden. "They love him more. Hollywood is very predictable," he said.

In 24 hours, stars from film, television, fashion, music and media — such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Spike Lee, Questlove and Ariana Grande — have voiced their support for Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee.

Harris raised $81 million for her White House bid in the first 24 hours after Biden announced he would not seek reelection, setting a record for the largest campaign haul in that time frame. According to Harris' campaign, more than 880,000 donors contributed to her campaign, the Democratic National Committee and joint fundraising committees.

As expected, Biden and Harris received the majority of their funds from Californians, reflecting the state's large population and concentration of wealthy donors.

Support from high-profile figures can significantly enhance a campaign, both financially and in terms of public visibility. A-list endorsements can attract considerable attention and potentially sway voter opinions, according to Andrzej Bartkowiak, a Hollywood cinematographer and film director.

"I have faith in her to do what is right, not just for America but for the world," Bartkowiak said of Harris.

Hollywood also influences public opinion through its entertainment, according to writer and producer Bob Underwood.

"If you create content that resonates emotionally with people, you gain insight into how your audience feels about various issues. That's why Hollywood plays a crucial role for Democrats," Underwood told China Daily.

Wilmot Reed Hastings, co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, has donated $7 million to a super PAC (political action committees) supporting Harris, the largest single contribution to a candidate, according to a source who wasn't authorized to speak publicly.

"We are fully committed to Kamala and have been since she announced," said Andy Spahn, a Los Angeles political consultant who collaborates with media figures like Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg. "There is tremendous excitement and energy around Kamala's candidacy. We are all in."

Agencies contributed to this story.