15 celebrities who got political in 2018

8. John Legend

There are politically involved celebrities, and then there’s John Legend. The ultra successful songwriter and performer is seemingly everywhere anymore. If nothing else, assuming you’ve been to a wedding in the past few years, chances are shockingly good that you’ve heard Legend’s “All of Me”.

Legend knows that his political advocacy doesn’t jive well with his musical career. “I can’t help it,” he said in an October interview. “Honestly, it’s probably not good for business. It’s probably alienating some people and I understand that, but I think it’s worth the risk for me.

What kind of matters are worth that risk to Legend? Criminal justice reform, for one. He often points to members of his own family, including his mother, who has struggled with drug addiction and incarceration. He campaigned for Florida’s amendment four, which successfully passed and restored voting rights to ex-felons in that state.

It’s worth noting that John Legend grew up in Ohio, with a solidly working class background and Midwestern cred. That’s important, given that some critics are quick to dismiss him for being part of an uber-liberal “Hollywood elite”.

On multiple occasions, John Legend has said that his success and public recognition come with an obligation to speak up in support of his values. And what if someone just wants him to shut up and play his music? Tough, honestly. “If you don’t agree with my politics, the best way to love me is to just not follow me on Twitter,” he said in a 2016 talk with NPR.