Celebrity Hosts This Week’s DNC: Mindy Kaling, Kerry Washington, and More

The Democratic National Convention is set to unfold like an awards show in Chicago this week, featuring four hosts who will each helm one night of the event, according to officials who spoke with CNN.

These hosts are Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Mindy Kaling, and Ana Navarro.

Each host will kick off the night with their own introduction and will reappear throughout the evening to anchor the event and introduce various segments. The convention will spotlight different themes each night, starting with “For the People” on Monday, “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” on Tuesday, “A Fight for Our Freedoms” on Wednesday, and “For Our Future” on Thursday.

Washington, known for her role in Scandal and her political nonprofit, Influence Change, will host the convention’s significant final night on Thursday. This is when Vice President Kamala Harris will officially accept the Democratic presidential nomination. Harris secured her spot as the Democratic Party’s nominee for President on August 6 after a majority vote in a virtual roll call.

Goldwyn will commence the hosting duties on Monday, Navarro will take on Tuesday, and Kaling will host Wednesday.

All four hosts have been outspoken supporters of the Democratic Party. Washington previously opened the third night of the 2020 convention. Goldwyn, also known for Scandal, recently attended an event with the then-presumptive nominee Joe Biden. Kaling joined Harris in a 2020 video where they prepared a South Indian dish together.

Navarro, a co-host of The View, identifies as a Republican but has shown increased support for the Democratic Party in recent years and expresses her backing of Harris.

Joe Biden is slated to deliver Monday night’s keynote address, and First Lady Jill Biden is also expected to speak that night.

“Our convention is an opportunity to present the story of our party to the American people—not just our accomplishments under the Biden-Harris administration, but how the Harris-Walz ticket plans to build on that historic record for a new path forward,” said Convention Chair Minyon Moore. “The message is clear and relatable to Americans nationwide: Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are fighting for the American people and America’s future, while Donald Trump is only fighting for himself.”

The speaker lineup for the convention includes notable figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.