Beyoncé or Taylor Swift Could Theoretically Appear at the DNC

The Washington state delegation members were fully supportive of the presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Dressed in sashes reading “Cowboy Kamala” and sparkling silver hats on Monday night in Chicago, they paid homage to the vice president. The anticipation around the event soared when Kamala Harris briefly took to the stage with Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” playing in the background, adding a star-studded touch to the convention.

However, the buzz wasn’t only about Harris. Rumors swirled about potential appearances by music icons Beyoncé and Taylor Swift. CNN anchor Sara Sidner stirred intrigue on “CNN News Central” by suggesting that these two superstars might make appearances. “Everybody’s talking about it,” she said, while her co-anchor John Berman and correspondent Elizabeth Wagmeister discussed the celebrities expected at the convention. The beloved singers were, however, not confirmed.

Sidner’s excitement grew as she jokingly pressed Wagmeister for answers about whether Beyoncé and Taylor Swift would indeed show up. Wagmeister’s response highlighted that Beyoncé had given Kamala Harris clearance to use her song “Freedom” as an official campaign song, hinting at the possibility of Beyoncé making a DNC appearance. As for Taylor Swift, Wagmeister mentioned her previous support for the Biden-Harris administration, though her ongoing tour made her attendance uncertain.

The speculation reached “The Daily Show,” where comic Michael Kosta commented on CNN’s speculative segment with humor, likening it to the hopeful expectation of a 13-year-old’s birthday party awaiting a celebrity guest. Despite such delight over the potential appearances, a convention insider told Deadline that having Taylor Swift at the event could overshadow Vice President Harris’s speech and take the focus away from the candidate.

Amidst these swirling rumors, Monday night’s main event went ahead with other known celebrities. Tony Goldwyn of “Scandal” fame hosted, while “The View” host Ana Navarro, Mindy Kaling of “The Mindy Project,” and Kerry Washington of “Scandal” were set to appear on subsequent nights. Musical entertainment was provided by singers Mickey Guyton and Jason Isbell, although James Taylor’s performance was cut due to time constraints. The remaining entertainers’ names were kept under wraps as of Tuesday afternoon.

The real question at the convention was whether or not the rumored appearances by Beyoncé and Taylor Swift would materialize. For now, the DNC continued without them, although their supporters found creative ways to show their dedication. Mississippi delegate Kelly Jacobs, for example, crafted 1,000 friendship bracelets at a cost of $3,000. These bracelets, a nod to Swift fans, read “Kamala” or “Swifty Voter.”

Jacobs’ gesture aimed to encourage voter participation. “I paid for them, I made them,” she shared with The Times’ Seema Mehta, adding that she handed out the bracelets as part of a campaign strategy, asking recipients to vote on November 5th. “People want the friendship bracelets,” Jacobs noted, highlighting the impact of merging pop culture with political activism.

In conclusion, while the possibility of appearances by Beyoncé and Swift remains uncertain, their influence certainly looms large over the convention, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already significant political event. Their potential endorsements could provide a unique blend of star power and political clout to the Harris campaign. For now, delegates and fans alike wait in hopeful anticipation, dreaming of a moment when music and politics might intersect on the convention stage.

Source: CNN, The Daily Show, Deadline, The Times