Updated: 4:15 p.m. July 20
Though this year’s Republican National Convention will literally be headlined by a celebrity who turned into could-be president, the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia can expect something the RNC never can — a huge turnout from Hollywood.
Every four years, top celebrities flock to the DNC in droves. When the DNC was in Charlotte, N.C. in 2012, celebrities like John Legend, Kim Kardashian and Jon Hamm were there to support the nomination of President Barack Obama. The RNC? Well, there was Clint Eastwood and a bunch of country singers, FWIW.
And this year, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic party are reportedly looking to leverage that star power with headliners that aren’t old and gray, largely to energize younger voters — many of whom favored Bernie Sanders in the primary — about where the party is headed. So expect the DNC to be a little less convention, a little more Coachella.
At this point, only a handful of stars have actually confirmed they’ll be attending the DNC in Philadelphia which runs from July 25 to July 28. But you can expect celebs and their entourages to be here, dining at the nicest spots around town and oftentimes scooting back to New York to sleep in their own beds at night.
Moral of the story? Keep your eyes peeled. Don’t want to miss Queen Bey strolling down Chestnut. Here’s a look at which celebrities are confirmed to be attending, and which ones you might see in addition:
Confirmed attendees
- Fergie, who is playing the Creative Coalition’s charity benefit concert that’s taking place in a “TBA” location and that costs $7,500 for two tickets to attend. May the odds be ever in your favor.
- Snoop Dogg, a noted Hillary Clinton supporter who is headlining a Democratic party “unity party” on the final night of the convention. The event is co-hosted by several Super PACs.
- Lady Gaga, Lenny Kravitz and DJ Jazzy Jeff, who are slated to perform at a concert in Camden organized by South Jersey Democratic Party boss George Norcross.
- Janelle Monae, the pop singer who is headlining the opening night concert, according to House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s schedule.
- “Let It Go” singer Indina Menzel and Cyndi Lauper will appear at Pelosi’s “Women’s Tea” event on the second day of the convention. Actor Tony Goldwyn, the fictional president from “Scandal,” will also make an appearance there.
- Shailene Woodley caravanned here as part of her support for Bernie Sanders.
- Bryan Cranston, who recently played LBJ in a project for HBO, will be in attendance on the final day of the convention for a luncheon Pelosi is hosting.
And of course, there all these celebs who have tweeted they’ll be here:
Stars the party and Hillz really want
- Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who Clinton and the Democratic Party have apparently been chasing, according to Politico, to appear at the DNC. It’ll probably happen — Miranda’s father is a Democratic party operative and the musical sensation has been involved with the party before.
- Singers Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera, both of whom have supported Clinton in the past and fall on the DNC’s wishlist for performers.
- Comedians Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer, who have been young, female (and hilarious) campaign surrogates for Clinton.
- Oprah Winfrey, who needs no explanation.
- Beyonce, who is a friend of the Obamas and a veritable Democratic party mega-donor who’d surely dazzle and energize younger voters.
Celebs who’ve endorsed Clinton and may be there
Music
- Elton John
- Katy Perry
- Jon Bon Jovi
- Britney Spears
- John Legend
- Stevie Wonder
- Ja Rule
- Pharrell
Film
- George Clooney
- Lindsay Lohan
- Joseph Gordon Levitt
- Julianne Moore
- Robert De Niro
- Salma Hayek
TV
- Kim Kardashian
- Uzo Aduba
- Ru Paul
- Kerry Washington
- Abbi Jacobson
Sports
- Abby Wambach
- Magic Johnson
Celebs who showed up in 2012
Music
- Mary J. Blige
- James Taylor
- Marc Anthony
- The Roots
- John Legend
- Tony Bennett
- Janelle Monae
- Common
- will.i.am
- M.C. Hammer
- Flo Rida
- Pit Bull
Film
- Scarlett Johansson
- Rosario Dawson
- Ashley Judd
- America Ferrera
- Elizabeth Banks
- Jessica Alba
TV
- Kal Penn
- Jon Hamm
- Eva Longoria
- Wendell Pierce
- Alexis Bledel
- Zach Braff
- Kim Kardashian
