An actor’s job is to act. It’s an art.
Art has and will always be political. From every deliberate, red brushstroke in paintings, rendering in photography, and distinct diction used to make memorable phrases plastered on posters, art has served as a reliable method of expression and a form of silent activism in politics today. Independent artists and people of all ages — with no political affiliation necessary — utilize their creativity to make their voices heard, bypassing censorship by making their motives discrete and emotional for audiences to empathize with. Art is powerful. And individuals and corporations, well aware of its power, use this silent form of activism as a tool, exploiting today’s rotten political literacy.
Political activism in the entertainment industry, whether verbal or subtle, is steadily increasing and fueled by the acts of the current Trump Administration. On February 1, at this year’s 68th Grammy Awards, notable producer Jack Antonoff — who works with mainstream singers including Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift— arrived at the show wearing an anti-ICE pin on his suit. These pins were also worn by several other celebrities to convey their resentment towards ICE’s recent violent attacks and deployment in major metropolitan cities in the U.S. During his red carpet interview, Antonoff was asked to say a few words regarding his choice of wearing the pin and the statement he was insinuating by wearing it. His response — mumbling, stuttering, and a visible incohesive thought process — stirred tension online, where viewers criticized his lack of “thought” behind his response and his uneducated impression. A man wearing a pin for activism without knowing about the meaning behind it is simply wearing it for show. On the industry level, he exemplifies someone who fell under the grasp of corporate greed, fueling profits from his fanbase and masking himself as someone of decent moral code. Political activism in the industry is performative.
In 2017, social media star Kendall Jenner, known for her role on her family’s reality television show The Kardashians, received mass public criticism for her feature in Pepsi’s “Live for Now” campaign. Viewers argued against the anthem’s clear corporate message visible in the ad’s visuals of social movements and protests, including police lines and demonstrations that seemed to mock events present throughout the Black Lives Matter movement. Pepsi’s story follows Kendall resolving tension among the police and individuals by handing the officer a can of Pepsi, demonstrating a moment of “unity” and insinuating how ridiculously easy it is to resolve something like a social issue with a simple gesture. Critics argued this depiction undervalued the severity of real events through marketing techniques and removed the genuineness behind it, causing viewers to look at the ad as a joke. The company was shamed for its poor ethical choices in addition to Kendall’s agreement to be featured. Her association with the ad and its tactless, insensitive message highlights disillusion from corporate, creative actions with reality, reinforcing the fact that the ad’s nature was intended as a money-maker. Shortly after the backlash, Pepsi took down the ad and issued a public apology.
Though Kendall’s involvement in Pepsi’s advertisement isn’t necessarily politically driven, her association and agreement to work with a company whose choice in marketing is making light of controversial events proves the detachment of sympathy and humility celebrities have in the corporate world — even in the entertainment industry, where authenticity is heavily valued. It was later revealed that the contents of the ad were disclosed before her shoot; however, this only proves corporate intentions of doing anything to maximize profits, whether it’s advocating for a dire issue or producing inspirational messages, and manipulating artists and celebrities to perform.
Some, though not all artists, are politically uneducated or make choices that reflect marketing intentions by performing in subtle forms of political activism when it’s “trendy” and the topic of mainstream media. Audiences consume content and show support for artists who share humility and willingness to utilize their large fanbase platforms to spread educational change instead of seemingly ignoring problems. This makes political activism seem like a form of displaying self-evidence for good morale. However, true political activism is rooted in education — consistently, actively seeking out real forms of education to better understand and empathize with issues nationwide. This, in itself, is the true indicator of a moral compass.
Education is reflected in conversations. If you’re passionate or feel strongly about a certain topic or pressing issue, your knowledge will translate into the clear articulation and composure you hold in conversations with others. It isn’t a requirement to stay updated with current affairs, but those who take the time out of their day to learn about what’s going on in the world around them show genuine care and hold evidence of good morale.
Globally, celebrities and artists within the industry feel they have a duty to speak out and use their mass platform to invoke social change. Regardless of their lack of education and true political views, they act performatively to gain more respect, financial, and emotional support from viewers. This relationship is transactional — celebrities are utilizing their platforms and following what’s “trendy” to foster more corporate funding. Creators are ultimately practicing the opposite of what art is supposed to convey: free expression. Even though it’s important and meaningful for political activism in the entertainment industry — more specifically, for artists to take advantage of their public platforms — much of the industry itself is fixated on showbiz and “just for show” activism. It begs the question of the authenticity in the arts and the validity of expression. Even though it’s an actor’s job to act, no actor has ever put their heart and soul into it. Art’s only appealing when you can clearly see passion.
Featured Image Source: TrillMag