Chappell Roan has recently faced backlash for her controversial views on the role of pop stars in political discourse. Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Chappell argued that it is ‘impossible’ to work, sleep, eat, exercise, and stay ‘so politically educated,’ implying that fans shouldn’t look to pop stars for political guidance.
While some fans have defended her, highlighting the unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities to be constantly informed and vocal, others criticised Chappell for embodying what they see as performative and ignorant white feminism. This debate raises a series of related questions: To what extent are celebrities, particularly female pop stars, responsible for engaging with political issues? Should they stay quiet and leave political discussion to the experts? And, is it performative or impactful when pop stars speak up on trending political topics?
Stick to what You Know, Please
Objectively, the job of a pop star is to entertain. Celebrities are rarely qualified to speak to large audiences about politics, and it is perhaps better that they stay quiet about ongoing issues than run the risk of spreading misinformation. It is frighteningly easy for a celebrity, whether unintentionally or not, to share false information and mislead their audience, creating harmful consequences. In October 2023, for example, actress Jamie Lee Curtis shared a photo of children looking fearfully at the sky, captioned ‘Terror from the skies’ with an Israeli flag emoji. The image was meant to show support for victims of Hamas’ attacks on Israel, but instead, it depicted Palestinian children fleeing danger. In today’s digital age, where people use social media as a newsfeed and are highly influenced by celebrities, unqualified celebrities sharing unreliable information about current affairs is incredibly dangerous.
Some argue that celebrities should stick to their art, keep their politics quiet and leave foreign and domestic affairs to the experts. Arguably, when fans critique artists for not speaking up on politics, it is often not out of a desire for them to be the catalysts of change, but rather from the hope of seeing their creator being ‘just like them, rather than retain the mystery of distance.’ Fans are hungry to see pop stars reveal their vulnerable and honest side through their political rhetoric. This way, they can feel like they know them and build a para-social relationship.
For those pop stars who do choose to be vocal on current affairs, there is the fear and very real possibility of backlash or being ‘cancelled.’ In her documentary ‘Miss Americana,’ Taylor Swift explained that she has always been hesitant to speak up for fear of sparking a backlash that could upend her career. She referenced the Dixie Chicks, who in 2003 faced boycotts, radio blacklisting, and public protests after criticising then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq invasion. Their careers suffered dramatically, and Swift admitted that witnessing this as a young artist made her wary of voicing her opinions in public. To protect their image, and avoid spreading misinformation, many popstars therefore choose to simply stay out of the political limelight.
Lessons from Carpenter
Ironically, when it comes to celebrities, particularly female pop stars, their is a tendency towards the damned if they do, damned if they don’t conundrum. If they choose to speak up, they are demonised for saying the wrong thing, or for not speaking up on every current issue under the sun. And if they stay silent, they are criticised for not using their platform and privilege for good. Sabrina Carpenter navigates this line with cautious aplomb. Seen as promoting sex and body positivity through her playful music, she keeps her political commentary minimal and carefully curated.
This measured approach contrasts with that of Chappell Roan, who has attracted both praise and criticism for her very passionate yet largely uninformed TikToks on topics such as the US elections. Celebrities like Sabrina Carpenter, who largely stay out of politics, do not receive hate for not speaking out on topical global issues. Since Chappell Roan has built her brand by engaging with marginalised groups, namely the LGBTQ community, her silence on pressing global concerns such as racism and the Israel-Palestine conflict is more noticeable. For instance, when Chappell refused to endorse Kamala Harris in the 2024 US Election, the move could be seen as passively supporting Trump and his homophobic, transphobic policies.
Critics have argued that Roan benefits from the support of marginalised groups without embracing an intersectional approach. By focusing her activism primarily on issues that align with her public identity, many have labelled her a ‘white feminist,’ implying that her brand of activism largely neglects the experiences of women of colour while prioritising the struggles of privileged, Western white women. Since Chappell owes her fame largely to marginalised communities, her comments on the Call Her Daddy podcast that it isn’t her job to speak on politics seem strikingly out of touch.
Selective Advocacy & Pop Power
Despite her hesitancy to be politically vocal, Taylor Swift has not been immune to criticism either. Swift has also been called out for promoting a white, privileged form of feminism. Several of her songs, such as ‘The Man’ and ‘You Need to Calm Down,’ advocate for gender equality in the workplace and LGBTQ rights, respectively. However, she has failed to take a more intersectional stance, while her personal life arguably contradicts her feminist persona. Many fans were disappointed in Swift for her relationship with Matty Healy, a musician who has done the Nazi salute at concerts, spoken about being aroused by the brutalisation of black women and made racist comments about rapper Ice Spice. But despite the widespread backlash, Swift remained silent about Healy’s behaviour.
In the article for 34th Street, Mehreen Syed argues that ‘by aligning herself with someone that perpetuates a public disregard for marginalised groups, Taylor Swift reveals her true self-serving values and priorities.’ Swift’s silence on the Israel-Palestine conflict further highlights her selective advocacy. Whilst she advocates for a very palatable, white-centred form of feminism, she has turned a blind eye to issues that don’t affect her, undermining her feminist affiliation.
Though many fans maintain that pop stars shouldn’t be expected to speak out on political issues, the impact this has when they do is undeniable. In September 2023, Taylor Swift posted an Instagram story encouraging her US followers to vote in the state legislative elections. The day of her post, Vote.org received 35,000 registrations, and visits to the site increased by 1,226 per cent in the hour after she posted. This highlights the immense power of pop stars to mobilise audiences and promote political engagement.
People are increasingly turning to social media as a valid news source, and for this reason, the pressure on celebrities to act as political influencers will likely keep growing. During the 2025 US Election campaigns, the influence of pop stars was strikingly apparent. The Democrats put up a billboard in Times Square reading ‘We’re in our Kamala Era’, referencing Taylor Swift’s Eros tour. Megan Thee Stallion performed at Kamala Harris’ campaign rally. And Beyonce allowed Harris to use her song ‘Freedom’ as the official campaign track, giving a speech to lend her support at Harris’ rally in Houston.
It is undeniable that pop stars have immense reach and influence, enabling them to shape public opinion and raise political scrutiny. Their support can often mean the difference between life and death for many marginalised groups. For this reason, pop stars may have a certain duty to use their voice politically when it counts. However, politics is not part of a pop star’s job description. It is commendable when celebrities politically educate themselves and use their status to amplify marginalised voices to enact change. But this should not be the expectation. It is far better that celebrities stay quiet than spread false information, or engage in performative activism for the sake of building their image. Pop stars certainly have an opportunity to speak up on politics, but not a responsibility.
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