A wave of young pop artists is boosting Vice President Kamala Harris on TikTok. A recent video by Harris’s campaign, set to Chappell Roan’s song “Femininomenon,” contrasts her with former President Donald Trump and has amassed over 35 million views. The song’s catchy chorus, “A femininomenon!” resonates with the TikTok generation, many of whom are potential voters. Roan’s representative did not comment on her political stance, but her music’s popularity might benefit Harris. Roan, who declined an invitation to perform at the White House’s LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration, might now influence her fans through her music.
A new pattern emerging
As Harris emerges as the presumptive Democratic nominee, celebrities who previously shied away from endorsing President Joe Biden are now rallying behind her. The support from young, influential pop stars is crucial for engaging young voters. Traditional A-listers no longer significantly influence this demographic, making stars like Charli XCX potentially more impactful than older celebrities like George Clooney or Barbra Streisand.
A Democratic strategist noted the difficulty both campaigns had in reaching Gen Z due to the age gap with the candidates. Harris, closer in age to their parents, might be more relatable and break through to this group. Harris’s campaign has already garnered support from young stars like Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Kesha, and Charli XCX. Charli XCX’s “Kamala IS brat” post was particularly embraced by Harris’s team, showing their appreciation for her influence.
It’s a feast on Tik Tok
Harris isn’t the only one leveraging TikTok. Trump, who joined the platform in June, now has 9.1 million followers. Despite Harris having fewer followers (1.1 million), her engagement rate is higher, with 15.8 million likes compared to Trump’s 22.2 million.
Three pop stars significantly influencing Gen Z voters are Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, and Chappell Roan. Charli XCX’s declaration of Harris as “brat” gave the campaign a visibility boost among Gen Z. Olivia Rodrigo, who has been politically active before, recently shared a video supporting Harris’s stance on reproductive rights. Chappell Roan, with her rising popularity and sex-positive lyrics, has a significant impact on her young audience.
These young pop stars’ support could be pivotal for Harris’s campaign, engaging a crucial voter demographic in the upcoming election.
