The Politicization of Hollywood
By Brittany G.
Hollywood cinema, movie premiers, and the Oscars used to be synonymous with glitz and glamour. They were pure entertainment; anyone could grab a bowl of popcorn, sit on the couch, and listen to Ryan Seacrest interview the industry’s hottest actors and models about what they were wearing. It was otherworldly, it gave people a glimpse into the world of celebrities— and people liked it that way. The average population has always been drawn to Hollywood stars and movies because it is a form of escapism. It is a way to forget, momentarily, about the drags of everyday life and, just for a few hours, be transported to another country, time, or dimension. Actors were fashion icons and role models, but since the 2016 election, Hollywood, and by extension, its awards have transformed into something entirely different. Like almost everything in our society, it’s gotten political. Stars wear dresses depicting presidential campaign slogans— not Vera Wang— to the Academy Awards. Award speeches are no more than half-baked political ramblings, while celebrity social media has devolved into a social justice plea for relevance. Politics is holding escapism hostage, making politics unable to be “turned off.” While Hollywood has always had a penchant for politics, the recent evolution goes too far. America needs its politicians to govern and its actors to act, not the other way around.
I don’t watch the award shows to listen to Joaquin Phoenix preach about the ethics of drinking cow milk, or for Brad Pitt to urge me to vote for his pick and complain about the Impeachment trials. I don’t go on Twitter to read Chrissy Teigan’s latest “cancellation of a Karen.” I certainly do not go on Instagram to look at the celebrities’ mass posting of black boxes as if their millions of followers make them morally superior to everyone else. Newsflash Hollywood: having followers does not make your beliefs more accurate or more legitimate. You are not instantly more educated than me because some guy who lives in his parent’s basement agrees with you, or some 13-year-old reposts you on her story. There is a great irony in the fact that the same Hollywood that attempts to “educate” is full of high school dropouts. I am more educated than a very sizeable chunk of Hollywood who chose to end their education to pursue their dreams and careers. Don’t take this the wrong way— I am in no way shaming them for choosing not to continue with their education. I commend how some actors rose from nothing and created incredible lives for themselves, ultimately proving the American Dream. However, it is an issue when their savior complexes kick in and decide it is their job to tell the rest of America and me, through social media and award shows, how we are “supposed” to vote. The “woke” leftism of some of these actors has ruined watching award shows due to their constant need to throw their opinions in our faces. What used to be a form of escapism has drastically become a version of the Left pushing their agenda through Hollywood stars.
There is a very sharp line between actor and activist, so why all of a sudden do they have trouble discerning that line? On the one hand, I appreciate actors who are educated and choose to learn more about the topic they want to speak about, whether that’s human trafficking or child abuse. A perfect example of this is Ashton Kutcher, who helped co-found Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children. The company builds software to detect human trafficking and has helped identify more than 15,000 cases of sexual violence and trafficking against minors since 2016. In addition to his monetary support, Mr. Kutcher has used his fame as a platform to speak to government panels and raise awareness for Thorn’s goal of eliminating sex trafficking and abuse. Another prominent actor is Chris Evans, who created “A Starting Point,” a political platform where people of all ideological backgrounds can come together and have rational discussions about the complicated topics in politics in a professional setting.
What I cannot accept is the “woke” side of Hollywood. The celebrities who believe they must “educate” me. I look to actresses like Blake Lively for fashion tips and dress, not to listen to her political viewpoints. I watch Leonardo DiCaprio for his acting, not for his lectures on climate change. Let’s be real, I never went to Alyssa Milano for her performances, but I certainly don’t go to her for her political opinions. This political focus in Hollywood has led to the blacklisting of conservative actors and directors from their liberal counterparts, and former “friends.” At one point, there were reports of a literal conservative blacklist going around to try and limit known conservative actors and directors from movies and TV shows. This is absurd, and a prime example of what is wrong with our society and civil discourse as a whole. The examples that these “woke” actors are setting with their vast platforms is incredibly damaging. Young people see these high profile cancellations, they see the subconscious exile of celebrities and ideas, and they perceive these actions as acceptable. It leads to the false notion that because someone does not agree with you, all you have to do is publicly shame their beliefs and remove them from your life.
Perhaps, for the first time in what feels like years, the opening speech from the host of the Golden Globes condemned not the President, nor oil firms, but in fact, Hollywood itself. In the most refreshing statement of the year, Ricky Gervais slammed the elite of southern California. While some viewed it as “regressive and shameful,” I found it abundantly refreshing to know that even those within Hollywood recognize the hypocritical overflow from its celebrities. Criticizing the people sitting feet away from him that could potentially impact his future, Ricky Gervais took a stand. At that moment, he showed liberals, especially those sitting right in front of him, that there are people who disagree with them, and they have been silent for fear of being “canceled.” He reminded the wealthy elites that they are not immune to hypocrisy simply because “they have a platform.” Having a platform is only beneficial when you put your money where your mouth is, but if you are only going to use your words and tweet, you aren’t doing anything to adjust it, especially when you have the means.
The blatant hypocrisy from Hollywood has run its course. It’s boring, and it’s annoying to watch Hollywood elites— the people who arguably benefit the most from capitalism and America— slam our country. Do not think for one second that you can lecture me on my carbon footprint when you fly private and own several private jets. Or when you call to “defund the police while you hide behind your bodyguards and armed security, all the while expecting me to fend for myself as I walk home alone at night. For those actors who are so quick to correct and falsely label conservatives, you might want to voice your disgust at the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. For such prominently loud voices on things that are inconsequential, you are rather silent in this case, which, in my opinion, speaks volumes.
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