15 celebrities who got political in 2018

12. Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis has had the opportunity for plenty of public engagement, given that she’s a well-established artist with hundreds of works to her name. Depending on when and where you grew up, you might know her from Sister Act, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Black-ish, and Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

While other celebrities, even those on this list, seem like they have merely stepped in from another professional world to offer up their opinion, Jenifer Lewis is serious about her work. In one interview, she noted her acting work has actually taken a bit of a backseat to her activism. “The resistance is more important to me than anything right now,” she said.

What kind of work has she been doing? There are various statements during various red carpets appearances, like many celebrities, but Lewis is also likely to be seen at protests with other citizens, too. She also frequently speaks of her work on Black-ish, the ABC sitcom where she plays Ruby Johnson, the mother of the series’ family father Dre, played by Anthony Anderson. Lewis maintains that Black-ish is one of the most progressive and politically outspoken shows on television.

Lewis has also had a lot to say about fellow celebrities getting involved in politics. She expressed special concern and sympathy for rapper Kanye West, who most recently made political headlines after a frankly bizarre appearance at the White House. West’s rambling speech confused and offended many. Lewis, who has bipolar disorder, expressed concern over West’s mental state, especially given his large fanbase and apparently growing political influence.