Opinion: Celebrities have a platform, fans should let them use it
The public scrutiny celebrities face makes it difficult for them to speak on politics, our columnist argues. She claims celebrities shouldn’t be discouraged from using their platforms to speak on public issues. Abigail Aggarwala | Design Editor
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At the 2026 Grammys, after winning Song of the Year for her hit “WILDFLOWER,” Billie Eilish spoke out against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and shared support for protests around the country. Her remarks reignited debate over whether or not celebrities should use their platforms for political activism.
Earlier in the night, Eilish and other celebrities walked the red carpet donning pins that read “ICE Out,” signaling their stance before the ceremony began.
As a society, we often fail to view celebrities as people, instead treating them as tools for our entertainment. Intrusive paparazzi run-ins and hypercritical internet comments only deepen this divide.
Our hyperfixation means celebrities’ actions and words are constantly under scrutiny. As a result, they often face harsh criticism for expressing political opinions or using their platforms for activism.
Like anyone with a platform, celebrities should be able to share their opinions on global issues.
Eilish is well known for using her platform for activism. On Jan. 26, she took to Instagram to call out fellow celebrities remaining silent on the killing of Alex Pretti and ICE’s presence in Minneapolis.
During her Grammy acceptance speech, she also commented “no one is illegal on stolen land,” before her remarks were censored as she concluded “f-ck ICE.”
This puts celebrities in a tough position, as there is an impossible line between speaking out on issues and staying silent when both will ultimately result in backlash.Ally Price, Columnist
Public response to Eilish’s statements was mixed. Some viewed her message as necessary. Others declared her statement “hard to listen to.”
Eilish isn’t alone in using her platform to vocalize her opinions. On Jan. 28, while performing in Tokyo, Lady Gaga paused her concert to condemn ICE and express support for those harmed by its actions.
“When entire communities lose their sense of safety and belonging, it breaks something in all of us. I hope that you’ll all stand with us tonight,” Gaga said.
The response to Gaga’s comments was similar, with many supporters saying they were happy they “never (had) to worry about her being on the wrong side of history.” Others expressed that, if they had been at the concert during the speech, they would protest the statements and demand their money back, claiming they bought tickets to a concert not a rally.
These reactions to public actions shifted the conversation around celebrities’ roles in political debate. Until recently, celebrities were mainly scrutinized for speaking out; now, they’re criticized for speaking out, taking too long to comment or staying silent.
Thanks to the public eye, celebrities can’t be apolitical, no matter how hard they try.
This puts celebrities in a tough position, as there is an impossible line between speaking out on issues and staying silent when both will ultimately result in backlash.
But, the expectation held over celebrities for our own entertainment isn’t realistic, and unless we are putting that same expectation on everyone who has a following, no matter how large or small, it’s unfair to hold celebrities to such a dehumanizing standard.
The bottom line is that, as a society, we shouldn’t criticize or prevent celebrities from sharing their opinions on their platforms, unless we bar all political content from being shared on any ordinary citizen’s platform.
Ally Price is a sophomore political science major. She can be reached at aprice09@syr.edu.
