I’ve always loved celebrity culture. As a child, I would stare at the glossy tabloid covers while waiting in line at the grocery store with my mom. And even as the stars and media platforms have changed, my fascination with the rich and famous has remained steadfast. Whether its J-Lo’s new boyfriend or Lindsay Lohan’s latest nightclub meltdown, there is very little gossip you could tell me about Hollywood that I am not already privy to. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that my Twitter and Instagram (@G_curley) are chock-full of reality stars, actresses, models, socialites, YouTube personalities, makeup artists, comedians, centaurs, etc. And when the DNC hit Philly, my various social media feeds went haywire. Celebrities, who I had never seen post anything except scandalous selfies and LA sunsets, were suddenly posting pictures of Hillary Clinton along with hashtags like, “#ImWithHer” and “#MakingHistory.” The Huffington Post was loaded with op-eds on Lena Dunham, Meryl Streep, Elizabeth Banks and other actors who were rallying behind Hillary. These public figures spoke at the convention and most expressed their disdain for Donald Trump. It was evident by their jokes that they believe that a person would have to be crazy to support Trump or the Republican Party. Which got me thinking…Wouldn’t a person have to be crazy to listen to these people when it comes to politics?
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Don’t get me wrong, I am influenced by celebrities. I love to read about Kate Hudson’s must-have line of Yoga pants or Eva Longoria’s nighttime skin care routine. But even in these aspects of life, the stars are completely out of touch. See for yourself. Pick up any fashion magazine on the latest Hollywood starlet and read the interviews. Most of the time, their “must-have” beauty staples would cost me two months rent. Their favorite Matouk hand towels that they “can’t live without” could probably cover a family’s grocery bills for the summer. It is always fun to imagine the glamour of their lives, but mostly because of how outlandish their lives seem. Even on late-night shows their stories have become increasingly tired and fake. Mostly because they have such few current real-life interactions that they have to dig deep into their memory banks to come up with anything even remotely relatable.
And yet, the mainstream media plasters these political endorsements on their sites. News anchor Chris Matthews gushed about the DNC after finishing up his broadcast in Cleveland. “Philly’s going to be fun. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. A lot more celebrities, a lot more Hollywood, a lot more bold print.” But do these endorsements actually help? I can’t be the only person who is irritated that the elite are warning me that I should be more worried about recycling and air-conditioning and less concerned about beheadings and ISIS.
Surely the Democrats showcasing the support they receive from the uber-wealthy only proves how profoundly disconnected the Left wing is from the American public. Recently, Howie interviewed Kellyanne Elizabeth Conway, a Republican strategist and pollster. Kelly was adamant that even if Hillary’s campaign continues to ignore the pressing issues that are at the forefront of people’s minds, it doesn’t mean those issues will change or go away. “Hillary’s campaign is talking about tone and temperament and Americans are talking about ISIS and Iran nukes. The American voters will be the last arbiter of what is important to them this year.” I have to believe she is right. After all, Leonardo DiCaprio might be devoting himself to helping our Mother Earth overcome climate change, but that is a luxury his lifestyle affords him. The average working person in America is less concerned with their carbon footprint and more concerned with not getting run down in a fatal “Truck Attack” (as the New York Times so euphemistically described it.) The DNC may have more star power than the RNC but this could strengthen Donald Trump’s connection with the middle-class even more. Celebrities, for the most part, have always been extremely liberal and outspoken about their political beliefs. But in this election, more than ever, it seems to be off-putting to the public. Mostly because it begs the question; If most Americans can’t afford Gwyneth Paltrow’s favorite brand of soap, can we really afford her favored candidate for President?