Stars Lend Their Sparkle to the Democratic National Convention
Eva Longoria, Sarah Silverman, and Demi Lovato all took the stage at the DNC. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
On Monday, the opening day of the Democratic National Convention kicked off with a healthy dose of celebrity, thanks to a smattering of stars who lent their voices — both in speech and song — to the cause. Festivities began at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with local phenom Bobby Hill belting out the national anthem. (ICYMI: The 14-year-old also sang for Pope Francis last year.)
Bobby was later followed by another group of hometown boys — Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men fame, who performed their iconic “Motownphilly” hit to thunderous applause. (In fact, their mini-concert was such a high point, CNN actually cut away from an active protest outside the convention center to broadcast it.)
When primetime arrived, so did the major Hollywood power. Shortly before 8 p.m. ET, a somber Demi Lovato took to the podium to address a topic close to her heart: mental illness. Lovato has openly struggled with bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse.
“Like millions of Americans I am living with mental illness, but I’m lucky. I had the resources and support to get treatment at a top facility,” the 23-year-old singer began. “Unfortunately, too many Americans from all walks of life don’t get help either because they fear the stigma or cannot afford treatment. Untreated mental illness can lead to devastating consequences, including suicide, substance abuse, and long-term medical issues. We can do better. Every one of us can make a difference.” She then argued this was not a political issue at all.
“This is not about politics. It’s simply the right thing to do,” she stated. “I’m doing my very small part by having the treatment center that saw me through my recovery on tour with me so that at least a small group of people, even for a brief moment, can have the same support that I received. It may not be a lot, but we have to believe every small action counts. I stand here today as proof that you can live a normal and empowered life with mental illness.” Lovato — who recently split from her longtime boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama — then performed her hit song “Confident” to a standing ovation.
Shortly after, comedian and avid Bernie Sanders supporter Sarah Silverman took the stage alongside former-SNL-cast-member-turned-senator Al Franken.
“This past year I’ve been feeling the Bern,” she began before turning to Franken and cracking, “Relax. I put some cream on it.” She then addressed the crowd and explained, “As some of you may know, I support Bernie Sanders and the movement behind him. Bernie has already succeeded in so many ways.” She smiled at Franken and continued, “Not only did Bernie wake us up, he made us understand what is possible and what we deserve. You know, my shrink says we don’t get what we want. We get what we think we deserve, and Bernie showed us that all American citizens deserve quality health care and education — not just the wealthy elite. … I happen to believe the crazy notion that people who maybe weren’t born with the same opportunities as you and me should be given the same opportunities as you and me!”
As the crowd cheered she added, “And all it takes to accomplish this is everyone, is all of us, or as a pretty kick-ass woman once said, ‘It takes a village.’” She went on to praise the Democratic primary for its lack of name-calling and went on to accuse Donald Trump of being “emotionally 4 [years old]” as he called people names from his “gold-encrusted sandbox” because he “was given money instead of human touch or coping cool stuff.” She then pivoted to make it clear that she would now support Hillary Clinton. “Hillary is our Democratic nominee, and I will proudly vote for her,” she declared. But Trump wasn’t the only one that Silverman scolded.
Told by the powers-that-be to extend her time on stage, Silverman added, “To the Bernie or Bust people, you’re being ridiculous.” While some applauded her extra comment, others broke into a “Bernie” chant until Paul Simon took the stage to perform “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
After Paul Simon, Eva Longoria entered the stage to introduce N.J. Sen. Cory Booker. Leading up to the introduction, the newly wedded actress explained, “I’m a ninth-generation American from a small town in South Texas — and if you know your history, Texas used to be part of Mexico. My family never crossed a border. The border crossed us.” She then railed against Trump for calling Mexicans “criminals and rapists,” and argued it was time to “fight” for Clinton.
Wrapping up the star power Monday night was first lady Michelle Obama, who looked stunning in a royal blue dress and spoke from the perspective of a mother.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk to you about why I thought my husband should be president,” she reflected. “I also told you about our daughters, how they are the heart of our hearts, the center of our world, and during our time in the White House we had the joy of watching them grow from bubbly little girls into poised young women — a journey that started soon after we arrived in Washington.”
She recalled watching their daughters pile into SUVs with “men with guns” to head off to school. “The only thing I could think was, 'What have we done?’ Because at that moment I realized our time in the White House would form the foundation for who they would become… that is what Barack and I think about every day.”
Obama went on to say that they urge their daughters to “ignore those who question their father’s citizenship or faith” and that the “hateful language they hear on TV does not represent the true spirit” of the country. She noted that she and Barack understand that their actions matter not only to their daughters, but to children everywhere. She argued that this election was actually about “who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives” — not politics. The only person she trusts with that responsibility? (You get one guess!) Hillary Clinton.
And so the opening night of the DNC ended with an uplifting story from one mom … about another.
