Dozens of Hollywood stars will flock to Chicago next week for events and concerts planned around the Democratic National Convention.
Actors, comedians, and singers will travel to the Windy City ahead of the official selection of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July following his disastrous debate performance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
John Legend, an outspoken supporter of the Democratic Party and past contenders for the White House, will hold a concert for Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” will have Jon Stewart and its “all-star news team” on hand during the week to film the show, with Stewart hosting a live show on Thursday night, THR noted.
Singer Joan Jet, actress Octavia Spencer, Billy Porter, DJ-D Nice, Lil Jon, along with several stars of the reality series “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” are also named as being at the convention. The advocacy group The Creative Coalition has confirmed that it booked stars like Uma Thurma, Uzo Aduba, Busy Phillips, Jon Cryer, David Cross, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and more for a series of events during the week.
Connie Britton is also expected to make the trip, THR noted. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Murphy are expected at the convention, too, with a source telling THR Don Cheadle may be there as well.
The Democratic National Convention is taking a page out of a Hollywood premiere, with plans for high profile attendees to walk a “blue” carpet.
Matt Friend, the comedian and actor, will serve as correspondent for Snapchat on the carpet https://t.co/yCtE1xP6R7
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 14, 2024
There is even supposed to be a Hollywood premiere style look at the DNC with a “blue” carpet for the arrival of the bigger-named attendees, Deadline reported.
Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you.
At the time of this publication, Thurman’s rep said the actress won’t be there due to work commitments and Ralph will not be there until Thursday night, THR noted.
“Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus will host a panel with female Democratic governors from across the country at the convention, as previously reported.
The 63-year-old Hollywood actress — who played fictional character Vice President Selina Meyer on the popular HBO political satire — will be joined by the Democratic Governors Association, the actress confirmed to CNN.
The panel will take place on Wednesday August 21 where the “Seinfeld” actress and vocal Democratic supporter will moderate the event with eight Democratic women governors. The list includes such governors as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, among others.
Along with the celebrities, Biden is expected to speak at the convention on Monday, Newsweek reported. Also speaking Monday will be former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 race to former President Donald Trump, the outlet noted.
The DNC runs from Monday Aug. 19-Thursday Aug. 22.