10 Best Celebrity Activists To Follow On Social Media
Stay woke by keeping up to date on these latest celeb posts.
There is a certain privilege when you’re able to talk to millions of people simultaneously and it can definitely be a double-edged sword. Most people want public figures to take a moral stand while others want them to be politically correct. For celebrities who are put onto these pedestals, some choose to become a voice for social injustice.
Woke is a slang word for being attentive to racial and social issues, defined by Merriam Webster.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez, and Kendall Jenner have over 100 million followers on Instagram, which makes them susceptible to media and public attention. Most times, these celebrities make headlines for trivial matters like dating speculations. However, they also try to use their large platform to bring awareness about important issues that people may not pay attention to.
News can be difficult to consume when you hear too many tragic stories like murders or unemployment rates so it’s natural to avoid reading the news for the sake of a healthy mind, but it is necessary to be aware of what’s going on around us.
According to the Pew Research Center, 34 percent of Americans get their news from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This makes social media the second most popular way Americans get their news, trailing behind television. This means that social media and celebrities play a key role in informing the general public of different types of stories.
So, contrary to belief, celebrities are not just “useless” figures meant for entertainment. Instead, some of them are a voice for the underprivileged and play a key role in shaping the next generation.
Here are 10 woke celebrities that we should all appreciate and follow, like yesterday.
1. Lady Gaga
At the beginning of Gaga’s career, she was often in the limelight for her unusual outfits (2010 meat dress anyone?) and performances. But not a lot of people (besides her fans) know that Gaga was also very vocal in LGBTQ rights, even before the supreme court legalized same- marriage in 2015. Gaga played a very important role in raising LGBTQ rights awareness and continues to be a prominent role model today.
2. Sophia Bush
Sophia Bush, known for her role as Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill, regularly uses her Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as platforms to promote women’s rights and raise awareness of environmental issues. Bush also actively shares stories of people affected by assault and anti-LGBTQ violence and criticizes the system that protects the perpetrators.
3. Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus had a bad reputation among the general public for her controversial outfits and music for most of her career. Cyrus is often the target of online hate and jokes for many comedians. However, Cyrus often uses her social media presence to be an ally of the LGBTQ community and help bring the Drag community into mainstream media.
4. Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato is a powerhouse vocalist who continues to advocate for mental health awareness. Until recently, mental health wasn’t taken seriously and a celebrity would be demonized if they were seen as anything less than a “role model." However, Lovato has been vocal about her own battle with mental health, drug use and eating disorder in the past and how she fought them and came out as a stronger woman today. This sends a powerful message to people who are dealing with the same issues that there is always light at the end of a dark tunnel.
5. Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy actively incorporates major LGBTQ storylines and characters into the shows he produces, such as Glee and American Horror Story. His most recent TV show, Pose, goes down in history for the largest cast of transgender actors. His social media accounts are also ways he promotes equality and LGBTQ rights.
6. Sandra Oh
Sandra Oh, best known for her portrayal as Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy, recently addressed the problem of whitewashing in Hollywood film during her opening speech at the Golden Globes. Whitewashing has been an ongoing issue in mainstream media with white actors taking on traditional non-white roles. The recent adaptations of Ghost in the Shell and The Great Wall only added onto the list of problematic films. Oh stands up for what she believes in and her Twitter and Instagram are platforms she uses to do so.
7. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo Dicaprio heavily uses his Instagram to raise awareness about environmental issues and how it is affecting the ecosystem, population, and wild animals. Since 1998, DiCaprio established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to promote environmental awareness.
8. Emma Watson
Emma Watson is largely involved in women’s rights work and has continuously supported education for . Watson actively uses her Instagram to promote the Time’s Up movement and prevent harassment within the film industry.
9. Rihanna
In 2017, Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty and the Pro Filt’r foundation line that included 40 different shades. It was praised by industry professionals and beauty influencers for its long range of foundation colors that catered to people of all races. In 2018, Rihanna presented her Fenty X Savage line at the New York Fashion Week that included models of all sizes. Rihanna has then used her online presence to promote positive body image and to help people of all colors love the skin they're in.
10. Kim Kardashian West
Since 2018, Kim Kardashian West has strongly advocated for prison reform, even meeting with President Trump who then pardoned Alice Marie Johnson, a grandmother sentenced to life in prison for a drug trafficking case — her first offense. West continues to advocate for other wrongfully sentenced prisoners like Chris Young who is currently serving life in prison for a drug case.
Amy Le is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics.