Katy Perry, Chlo? Grace Moretz, and Other Stars ‘Rise’ and ‘Roar’ on Night 4 of the DNC
There was no question that the last night of the Democratic National Convention would have to finish out strong, considering all that came before during the previous three days of festivities. And though the concept of togetherness had been a steady drumbeat throughout the convention in Philadelphia, Night 4 specifically focused on delivering the theme of “Stronger Together.” With speakers addressing such topics as an equal and supportive economy, support for fallen law enforcement, the ideal of an inclusive America, and support for the military, the message was clear — we can, and will, overcome. But only if we do so together.
And while the focal point of the night was to be Hillary Clinton’s formal acceptance of the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, the stars helped to set the stage for her to make her grand speech. Here are the best celebrity moments from the final night of the DNC:
Carole King leads the DNC crowd in a sing-along
“Hello, Idaho!” said songbird Carole King as she took the stage, giving a shout-out to the state where she she owns a ranch. In contrast to many of the other performances we were treated to at the DNC, King stood dead center, flanked only by a handful of backup singers, for her performance of “You’ve Got a Friend.” The entire convention floor was on its feet, some waving their hands in the air as King sang, until she said, “Everybody! Everybody sing with me!” Dutifully, the crowd sang along, and King smiled widely as the voices rose.
“Hillary’s got so many friends, and Bernie too, and all of us together,” King sang, subtly addressing the evening’s theme, or more directly, the discord that has been boiling among Bernie Sanders supporters who remain unimpressed with Clinton. Sing-alongs seem to have been a trend at this year’s DNC, and this one was no less touching than the rest.
The beat goes on… thanks to Sheila E.
Introduced as Sheila E. and the E Family, Sheila looked as if she was having the time of her life, as she and her crew — which included her father, Pete Escovedo, and brother Peter — played some Latin jazz for the crowd. The percussionist, who is focused on helping Clinton win Latino votes, added to the festive atmosphere, getting the audience clapping and dancing along to the beat.
Tony Goldwyn gives us a history lesson
Officially kicking off the evening’s theme was none other than Scandal‘s Tony Goldwyn, who’s proving to be somewhat of an MVP for the DNC, what with his heartfelt tribute to the Mothers of the Movement from Night 2, and outing himself as a feminist while pushing for reproductive rights at a “Men for Choice” NARAL (National Abortion Reproductive Rights Action League) event. But tonight, Goldwyn took us to Independence Hall in a video screened for all in attendance.
“You know, it’s hard to believe that this relatively small room is the birthplace of this great nation,” Goldwyn said. “The year was 1776, it was hot, and not just the weather. These patriots have already started fighting the mightiest empire in the world. This is where they gathered to finally break free, and here in America, we must be in control of our own destiny that we each have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Goldwyn went on to tell how this same room was the birthplace of the Constitution, which he called “a blueprint for the democratic government that has made the United States the greatest country on Earth.” Even so, it wasn’t without its flaws — which Goldwyn quickly pointed out, noting that women and African-Americans weren’t allowed to vote. And while lamenting that our forefathers couldn’t then conceive of a President Obama or a potential president in Hillary Clinton, he addressed an important point.
“The framers knew that life in their time shouldn’t determine life for all time,” he shared. “The future of our country would be up to us. And in each generation, Americans from all walks of life have stood to protect the union our framers created.”
Goldwyn highlighted some powerful moments in history, invoking Rosa Parks and Stonewall, and pointed out how they only made the country stronger. He pressed us to understand that we do have the power to create change, but only if we work together. And that what comes next for our nation lies in our hands. No pressure!
Then, it was story time. Goldwyn walked over to the chair that George Washington sat in while the Founding Fathers were working on the Constitution. “One of its features is the sun,” Goldwyn said, pointing to the top of the chair back, featuring a golden sun. “And after the constitution was finished, Benjamin Franklin turned to his fellow delegates and said, ‘I have often looked at that sitting behind the president without being able to tell if it was rising or setting. But now I know that it is a rising sun.’
“That’s the story of America,” Goldwyn concluded, encouraging us all to uphold the dreams of our Founding Fathers for every American.
We don’t care if it’s gauche to get teary at naked patriotism. Hand us a Kleenex, please.
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen share stories of their friend Hillary from back in the day
Striding to the podium hand in hand, actors Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen looked every bit the power couple — and were even more powerful when they shared stories of their history with Clinton. But first, they made introductions.
“I’m Mary Steenburgen, a train conductor’s daughter from my beloved state of Arkansas,” Steenburgen said, to a roar of approval.
“And I’m Ted Danson, an archaeologist’s son from Flagstaff, Ariz.,” Danson said, to an equally raucous response.
Steenburgen then launched into a story after pointing out that she has known Clinton and considered her one of her closest friends since 1978.
“One night in Arkansas, a group of us got together and went back to their place for dessert,” Steenburgen shared. “We were sitting on the kitchen counters, and Bill and Hillary were talking with deep nuance about health care for children. And as they were talking, I remember looking at Bill and thinking, ‘I wish you could become president someday.’ Then I looked at Hillary, and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it say something to our daughters, to our sons, to all those people whose lives I know you could touch if you became president, because I know you, and I know you will never stop working your heart out for them.’ That was 38 years ago. And then it seemed like too much to dream for. But tonight, it seems very, very possible.”
Danson put it simply when he followed up with one powerful statement about Clinton: “Anybody can brag, anybody can talk. Hers is the poetry of doing.”
It was the perfect introduction to a discussion about a balanced and more fair economy, featuring speakers like Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker who is helping to lead the fight for a $15 an hour wage, and Jensen Walcott and Jake Reed, who sparked an intense discussion about equal pay.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes a joke, then delivers a touching tribute
The crowd almost didn’t let retired NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar begin his introduction, as they were all cheering so loudly. But once they settled in, Abdul-Jabbar didn’t disappoint.
“Hello everyone, I’m Michael Jordan, and I’m here with Hillary,” Abdul-Jabbar cracked. “I said that because I know that Donald Trump couldn’t tell the difference.”
Once he got his joke out of the way, Abdul-Jabbar shared the real reason why he was onstage.
“I’m here to tell you about Capt. Humayun Khan, who was one of 14 American Muslim soldiers who have died in combat serving the United States since 9/11,” he said somberly. “His family immigrated to the United States from the United Arab Emirates, where Captain Khan was born. The first place they visited upon arriving in America was the Jefferson Memorial. The words engraved there read, ‘I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
Abdul-Jabbar proceeded to lambaste Donald Trump’s desire to register Muslims and restrict their access to the United States, pointing out, “Donald Trump’s idea to register Muslims and prevent them from entering our country is the very tyranny Jefferson abhorred. In 1777, Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom that later became a model for the First Amendment. Today’s so-called Religious Freedom Acts, like the one signed by Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, they are the opposite of what Jefferson wanted, because they allow discrimination. And at its core, discrimination is a result of fear.”
Declaring that Americans don’t scare easily enough to abandon the country’s ideals, Abdul-Jabbar finished with, “To them, we say only this. Not here, not ever. Thank you.”
It was a heartfelt promise that led into a video about Captain Khan, which was followed by a moving speech by Khan’s father, one of the high points of the night.
Chlo? Grace Moretz rallies millennials
Wasn’t it just yesterday that actress Chlo? Grace Moretz was a tiny, foul-mouthed, butt-kicking superhero in the making? No matter, Moretz, 19, is all grown up now, and addressing crowds at the Democratic National Convention.
“This November, I will be voting in my first general election. And I am so excited to say that my first vote for president will be for Hillary Clinton,” Moretz told the audience, who whooped their approval. “You see, I registered to vote at the DMV the same day I got my driver’s license, and it took just a minute. But I knew that it gave me the power of a lifetime. The power to make my voice heard and to shape the future of our country.”
Moretz went on to self-identify as a millennial, adding that 4 out of 5 young people didn’t vote in the 2014 congressional elections. She went on to theorize about what could happen if they all voted, noting that they could elect a president who would ensure college graduates could emerge from schooling debt-free, and encourage equal pay.
After sharing the difference equal pay could have made for her single mother, who was in charge of providing for the family when Moretz turned 13, she encouraged millennials to register to vote — immediately.
“Don’t miss your chance to make this vote count. This is your chance to make your voice heard,” she said. “Because if you show up this Nov. 8, if we all show up together, we can make sure Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States of America.”
Get on it, millennials!
Katy Perry rises and roars
Glittering in silver stripe sequined Michael Kors dress, singer Katy Perry took a moment to address the crowd before breaking into song.
“So both of my parents are pastors and staunch Republicans,” Perry shared. “I didn’t finish high school and unfortunately I don’t have a formal education. But I do have an open mind and I have a voice. So I’m asking you to have an open mind and to use your voice because on November 8 you’ll be just as powerful as any NRA lobbyist. You’ll have as much say as any billionaire. Or you can just cancel out your weird cousin’s vote if you like. Because remember, it’s not where you come from, it’s what you grow in to.”
And who was that capturing the moment on his phone from the audience? Perry’s beau Orlando Bloom, that’s who. Perry then admitted to saving some voicemails from Clinton saved on her phone, and that she has a closet full of “Hillary-themed dresses” from being on the road with her. After encouraging the audience to visit Clinton’s website to win a chance to go on the road with her, Perry said, “Maybe I’ll let you borrow one of my outfits too.”
She then broke into a spirited performance of “Rise,” which featured only Perry and two back-up singers, the power of her voice propelling the crowd to its feet — many of whom held their cell phone flashlights high in the air, waving them like lighters. Perry then burst into “Roar.” What better way to segue into Chelsea Clinton’s speech, who would go on to introduce her mother — the first woman Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America?
It was quite a night indeed.
