Fame Isn’t Everything: The Unpredictable Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Elections

Tyler Kent | 14 November 2024
Welcome Back! count: 738... 6.3 min. Copy edited by Skylar

Celebrity Interviews
Fame Isn’t Everything: The Unpredictable Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Elections

From Kamala Harris being dubbed a “brat” by Charli XCX to Taylor Swift slyly embracing the “childless cat lady” label in her endorsement on Instagram, to Beyoncé’s onstage declarations of support, the Harris campaign generated a wave of celebrity buzz over its three-month span. But when the election results came in, critics on all sides began to question whether all the glitz had made any real difference. How could a “flawlessly run” campaign capture internet hearts but fail to translate that support into votes?

The reality is that celebrity endorsements aren’t as influential as they may seem. An October poll of registered Ohio voters revealed that Swift’s endorsement had a net negative effect: while 14% of voters said it increased their enthusiasm for Harris, 24% said it decreased theirs. David J. Jackson, a political scientist involved in the survey, told Vanity Fair that celebrity endorsements tend to galvanize those already aligned with a candidate but rarely sway undecided voters.

“Our findings indicate that celebrity endorsements operate through a partisan lens, with likability and credibility playing significant roles,” Jackson explained. “Taylor Swift might seem highly credible to her fans, as she speaks to issues they relate to, just as Elon Musk might be seen as credible because of his business success.”

Beauty
The Global Beauty Slowdown: Why the Industry’s Growth Is Losing Its Luster

The well-known “Lipstick Index” suggests that when consumers cut back on big-ticket items like handbags and jewelry, they’ll often turn to beauty products instead. By this logic, beauty sales should be booming, especially as luxury sectors face a significant downturn.

However, recent beauty earnings reports reveal that consumers have their spending limits in this category as well. In Q3 2024, LVMH’s perfumes and cosmetics division saw revenue rise by just 3 percent, marking its slowest quarterly growth this year and down from 9 percent growth in the same quarter last year. L’Oréal reported a similar trend: its third-quarter sales increased by 3.4 percent, compared to over 11 percent in the same quarter a year ago, also its slowest growth this year. Estée Lauder Companies, facing two years of declining sales, saw its Americas net sales slip from positive to negative; while net sales grew 1 percent in fiscal 2024, its most recent fiscal first quarter showed a 2 percent decline.

Even the industry’s top performers are feeling the slowdown. E.l.f. Beauty, reporting 40 percent growth for the latest quarter, noted that consumers are becoming more selective in their spending. Chief executive Tarang Amin acknowledged that even in a high-growth segment, shoppers are being “more choiceful” with their purchases.

My go to holiday drink!

How many magical creams and trendy serums have we wasted money on, only to be left with half-used jars? When skincare products don’t deliver, the answer lies within. True skin health starts at the cellular level, with deep hydration,elasticity, and a strong barrier. Enter Pique’s Radiant Skin Duo—a simple ritual of Sun Goddess Matcha and B·T Fountain electrolytes. Packed with antioxidants, ceramides, chlorophyll, and hyaluronic acid, it nourishes skin from within for a lasting glow! For a limited time get 20% off on Pique’s best sellers!

Get 20% off on best sellers + a free starter kit!!

Presented By Refind

Brain food, delivered daily

Every day we analyze thousands of articles and send you only the best, tailored to your interests. Loved by 513,879 curious minds.

Entertainment
The Hollywood Issue: Exploring Fame, Style, and This Year’s Sexiest Man Alive

The timing here is a bit surprising, and I haven’t had a chance to dig into why the schedule changed or review the 2025 edition, so we’ll dive deeper tomorrow. For now, though, with the Hollywood Issue launching on the same day as PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive announcement, the buzz is about the expected Sexiest Man Alive—who instead graced the cover of Vanity Fair.

Subscribers to our Substack, The Squawk, already knew it wouldn’t be Glen Powell. I ruled him out last week when I saw him in one of PEOPLE's fan-voted categories, a sign he wasn’t their main pick. But now, there’s speculation that Powell declined the spot, with rumors that John Krasinski was next in line—similar to the old story about Ryan Gosling passing and Bradley Cooper stepping in.

Does Powell seem like someone who’d turn down the Sexiest Man Alive title? Not really! It feels more like a strategic deferral. Publications like PEOPLE and Vanity Fair share some audience, and a dual cover wouldn’t serve either. For Powell, the Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue is a rarer, more prestigious spot; PEOPLE’s invitation will still be open next year. So, this wasn’t a “no” to Sexiest Man Alive—it was more of a “yes, but not yet.”

Recommended Newsletters

Like newsletters? Here are some newsletters our readers also enjoy.