Kerry Washington, host of Thursday night's Democratic National Convention in Chicago, wasted no time in responding to critics of celebrity political endorsements as she declared her support for Kamala Harris.
“As I stand here, I know there are people on social media already saying, ‘Get back on your TV show! Shut up and act.’ But I’m not here tonight as an actress,” the actress said at the start of her speech. “I’m here as a mother, as a daughter, as a proud union member. I’m here as a granddaughter of immigrants, as a Black woman descended from enslaved people. I’m here tonight because I’m an American, because I’m a voter, and because we the people are stronger when all of our voices are heard.”
She was joined on stage by her former TV boyfriend and fellow “Scandal” co-star Tony Goldwyn, who hosted the first night of the convention on Monday, to film a video for social media as she motivated the crowd: “When we fight, we win!”
Washington wasn't the only celebrity lending their star power to Harris' campaign on Thursday, with performances from The Chicks and P!nk, along with expected speeches from Eva Longoria and DL Hughley.
Earlier in the evening, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry also delivered a virtual message of support for Harris. “Together, we can do it all and continue to inspire the world. That's why I believe that Kamala as president can restore that unity and continue to move our country forward. It's about keeping hope and faith in our country,” he said.
