Several media outlets are reporting Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon is being encouraged to run for New York governor, potentially making her the latest celebrity to pursue politics.
The link between politicians and celebrities goes way back. Before there was Ronald Reagan, former movie star, running for office; there was JFK hanging with the Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe; and even Warren G. Harding crediting singer Al Jolson’s public endorsement, at least in part, for his 1920 presidential victory.
In more recent years, though, that connection seems to have grown even stronger. Stars have long used their influential voices to speak out on political candidates and issues. But between ultra hip candidate and celebrity-favorite president Barack Obama, the ever-growing reach of social media, and an actual former reality star in the Oval Office, have we now officially entered the era of the celebritician?
Reports that Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon has been approached by several democratic groups encouraging her to run for governor of New York would support that theory, at least. The Wall Street Journal, AP, and other outlets said Friday that Nixon’s record of liberal activism attracted the possibility, though Nixon’s team hasn’t officially commented on the rumors. If Nixon were to launch a campaign, she would be challenging current New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
Stars of other stripes have appeared to mull a political future lately as well. Just this week Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg reportedly hired former Hillary Clinton chief strategist and Obama adviser Joel Benenson as a “consultant,” sparking plenty of speculation about Zuckerberg’s political ambitions, even though he denies he plans to run for anything. Then, of course, there’s that persistent rumor that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has his eye on the political ring. The one-time wrestler/actor/singer/all-around charming social media star even played up the rumors in his SNL opening monologue in May. Flanked by world’s-dream-vice-president Tom Hanks, Johnson claimed he’d be running in 2020. The sketch was, ostensibly, a joke, but that’s not the way the newly-formed Run the Rock 2020 committee took it. The group isn’t actually tied to the star, but its members are determined to make President The Rock happen.
It’s not that celebrities can’t be successful politicians. Reagan was clearly an icon to his party. Former comedian and SNL cast member Al Franken has been a respected senator for years. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s early political efforts were laughed off, but he served as California’s governor and has gained even more fans recently by standing up to President Trump. In a lot of cases, it makes perfect sense. These are people with built-in influence among their fanbases. And often these are people with an x-factor of, if not leadership, at least poise and presence, which goes a long way in the world of politics.
With Trump, a man with no political experience, in office, in some ways it feels like all rules are off. Maybe Nixon will unseat Cuomo and she’ll go on to be a beloved figure in political history (Nixon is a big time advocate for LGBTQ rights but knowing her famous character Miranda, we’re hoping she tackles catcalling and mom shaming at some point, too). Maybe Oprah will act on the political hints she’s dropped over the years and we’ll get the first woman of color running the show. Maybe George Clooney will throw his hat into the political ring as has been predicted for decades—though, more realistically it should be his badass wife Amal who’s far and away more qualified for the job. Maybe Meryl Streep will take her political passion from the awards show podium to the campaign podium (fingers crossed on that one).
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Whatever happens, it seems the celebrity/politician is here to stay. Whether that will be a good thing for our country or not remains to be seen.