In a significant moment of the 2024 election season, Grammy- and Oscar-winning sibling musicians Billie Eilish and Finneas have made a resounding endorsement for Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency. Using their considerable platform, they urged their fans to recognize the high stakes of the upcoming election and vote for a future that supports reproductive freedom, fights climate change, and protects democracy.
This endorsement, alongside others from influential figures in the music industry, underscores the power of celebrity activism in shaping political discourse, particularly among younger voters.
Billie and Finneas Speak Out: “Vote Like Your Life Depends on It”
On National Voter Registration Day, Billie Eilish and Finneas took to Instagram, one of the most powerful social media platforms for youth engagement, to deliver their message of support for Kamala Harris. In a video reel, Billie passionately stated, “We are voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz because they are fighting to protect our reproductive freedom, our planet, and our democracy.” Her words reflect a growing sense of urgency among progressives, particularly young voters, who view the 2024 election as a decisive moment in the future of the United States.
Finneas, echoing this sentiment, warned against the influence of political extremists, adding, “We can’t let extremists control our lives, our freedoms, and our future. The only way to stop them and the dangerous Project 2025 agenda is to vote and elect Kamala Harris.” This call to action is timely, as many Americans are feeling the weight of political and social divisions in the country, and for younger generations, issues like climate change, reproductive rights, and democratic values are front and center.
Leveraging Influence: The Role of Celebrities in Political Activism
This is not the first time Billie Eilish and Finneas have entered the political arena. Back in 2020, Billie endorsed Joe Biden during his presidential campaign, performing and speaking at the Democratic National Convention. At that time, Eilish was outspoken in her criticism of then-President Donald Trump, saying, “Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about.” Her activism is consistent and reflective of the priorities of young voters who have grown increasingly vocal about systemic racism, climate change, and public health issues like COVID-19.
This latest endorsement aligns with the broader trend of celebrities using their platforms to advocate for political change. The power of music icons to engage with millions of followers on social media, especially young people who might be first-time voters, cannot be underestimated. Billie Eilish and Finneas, with their massive reach and influence, are not just endorsing a candidate—they are mobilizing their fanbase to take tangible action by registering to vote and turning out at the polls.
Harris’ Celebrity Support: A Trend of High-Profile Endorsements
Billie and Finneas’ endorsement is part of a growing wave of celebrity backing for Kamala Harris. Just a week earlier, pop sensation Taylor Swift also endorsed Harris, sending a powerful message to her tens of millions of followers. Following Swift’s announcement, nearly 400,000 people visited the vote.gov website to check their voter registration status, a testament to the immediate and profound impact celebrities can have on voter engagement.
In addition to Swift, other high-profile endorsements for Harris have come from a diverse array of influential artists, including Beyoncé, who gave Harris permission to use her iconic 2016 song “Freedom” as a campaign anthem. Artists like Megan Thee Stallion, John Legend, Barbra Streisand, Bon Iver, Pink, and The Chicks have also expressed their support for Harris, adding to a growing list of celebrity endorsements.
This collective action from some of the most influential names in music shows a unified front in support of progressive causes. For Harris, these endorsements provide more than just celebrity star power—they create momentum, especially with young voters and historically underrepresented groups.
The Influence of Youth Voters: Why This Matters in 2024
The 2024 election is widely seen as a critical moment in American history, particularly for younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z now make up a significant portion of the electorate, and their priorities—such as reproductive rights, climate change, and social justice—are driving much of the political conversation.
For many in these age groups, voting is not just a civic duty; it is a means of safeguarding their future. Eilish’s call to “vote like your life depends on it” resonates because, for younger voters, the policies enacted in the coming years will directly shape their lives in profound ways. Whether it’s the right to access reproductive healthcare, the efforts to combat climate change, or protecting democratic institutions from erosion, the issues at stake are deeply personal for many young voters.
Additionally, celebrities like Billie Eilish and Finneas play a key role in making political engagement more relatable and accessible to their followers. By sharing their political beliefs and encouraging direct action—like checking voter registration and making a plan to vote—these musicians are helping to break down the barriers that might otherwise prevent young people from participating in the electoral process.
The Endorsement Ripple Effect: What Comes Next
As Kamala Harris continues her campaign, endorsements from celebrities like Billie Eilish and Finneas will likely play a crucial role in energizing young voters. Celebrity endorsements have the potential to sway undecided voters and motivate fans who may not have been planning to vote. By linking their support for Harris to critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and democracy, Billie and Finneas are making it clear that the stakes of the 2024 election are extraordinarily high.
Their endorsement also sends a clear message to other influencers and public figures: now is the time to use their platforms for political activism. In a time when voter turnout can make or break an election, every voice counts, and the more high-profile figures who encourage their fans to vote, the greater the likelihood of significant voter turnout.
