‘Privileged’ Pharrell Williams faces criticism for calling celebrity political endorsements ‘annoying’
Pharrell Williams has faced backlash after saying he “doesn’t do politics” and that celebrity endorsements are “annoying”.
After the “Happy” musician’s comments in a recent interview went viral, fans flooded the comments section of her latest Instagram post, in which she promoted Tiffany & Co. pearl earrings.
“Weren’t you supporting Hillary? [Clinton] One user wrote, “Did this happen on Ellen in 2016?”
“I was surprised you told the Hollywood Reporter that celebrities should keep quiet about who they’re supporting!! After Taylor Swift endorsed you [Kamala] Harris,” another added.
“It would be nice not to play politics. Some of us have no choice! Your clan had no choice. Yet you’re pissing on them,” commented a third fan.
“Not doing politics is an incredibly privileged and irrelevant thing to do,” another netizen wrote.
Williams, 51, opened up about her views on celebrity political endorsements in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published last week.
“I don’t really do politics,” he said, adding that there are some policies he supports, such as education.
“I’m not an activist, but I believe in working. But I believe in activists, and you need everybody.”
The “Frontin’” MC then said it “irks” him when stars try to influence people to vote for a certain candidate.
“There are celebrities I respect, but not everyone has their own opinion. I am one of those people [who says]He said, ‘What nonsense? Shut up. Nobody asked you.’
“When people come out and get self-righteous and they roll up their sleeves and shit, and they walk around with a sign saying: ‘Shut up!’ then, no, I’d rather stay out of the way, and obviously, I’m going to vote like I’m going to vote,” Williams said.
“I care about my people and my country, but I think there’s still a lot of work to be done, and I’m really in favor of action.”
Several celebrities have already endorsed candidates for the 2024 presidential election.
Last week, Swift, 34, threw her support behind Harris, 59, and her running mate, Tim Walz.
The “Bad Blood” singer said she believes the vice president is “a determined, talented leader” who will lead this country “through peace, not chaos.”
Swift also said she was “impressed” by Walz, 60, who has “stood up for LGBTQ+ rights, IVF, and women’s right to their own bodies for decades.”
Other stars backing Harris include George Clooney, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and Barbra Streisand, while Republican candidate Donald Trump has the backing of Elon Musk, Kid Rock and Amber Rose.
