Popstars for Palestine?

In today’s world, where news spreads like wildfire and entire narratives are condensed into 10-second videos, it’s no surprise that celebrities often get caught in the crossfire of the social media spotlight. Political opinions, social justice causes, and real-world crises are routinely reduced to hashtags, with trending topics shifting by the hour. The war in Israel and Gaza is no exception—it’s the latest fixation of online discourse, dominating feeds and dividing comment sections.

Our obsession with what’s new extends to the people who represent it: celebrities. I’ve fallen into that trap myself. Leading this cultural fixation is the modern popstar—glamorous, outspoken, and endlessly influential—figures who command massive followings and shape public conversation. With the rise of the popstar comes their groundbreaking influence, often used to speak out on political and social justice issues they feel strongly about. But with that comes a pressing question: what happens when pop stars become the loudest voices in conversations they may not fully understand?

Pop stars, or “pop icons,” are celebrities whose impact and influence transcend time, becoming defining figures of an era. Madonna is perhaps the most iconic figure associated with this term, but it has since expanded to encompass artists like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and many more. With their elevated status comes the power to shift media narratives and influence their followers’ beliefs with the click of a button.

Some celebrities have demonstrated thoughtfulness and nuance when speaking about the war in Israel and Gaza, most notably Ramy Youssef during his SNL monologue, where he offered prayers not only for Palestinians but also for the hostages in Gaza. Yet too often, careful and informed perspectives are overshadowed by big-name pop stars with little knowledge and deafening voices. Singers Reneé Rapp and Chappell Roan are prime examples of this phenomenon: both are just as uninformed as they are outspoken.

During her acceptance speech at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards, Reneé Rapp called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza. Rapp is known for being unfiltered and bold in her opinions, even when they’re controversial. While she should be applauded for speaking her mind and acknowledged for her good intentions, her opinion lacks critical context and fails to engage with the deeper complexities of the conflict. It’s this kind of platforming that raises concerns about celebrities commenting on nuanced issues—and how easily fans may be swayed by their unqualified takes.

Even more controversial than Rapp is pop star Chappell Roan. A relatively new addition to the limelight, Roan has embraced her identity as a bold, expressive diva within the pop community. She’s known for being outspoken, sharing her views on everything from queer rights to foreign policy—often without acknowledging the limits of her expertise.

Roan initially rose to fame for her queer pop anthems and her unwavering support for drag performers, quickly building a reputation as someone unafraid to speak out. That reputation has created a growing expectation, from fans and the media alike, for her to weigh in on significant issues. From selling signed prints at her concerts to raise funds for Gaza aid, to posting TikToks where she claims, “there is no way [she] can stand behind some of the left’s completely transphobic and completely genocidal view,” Roan has positioned herself as both artist and activist.

And while her attempt to use her platform to influence and inform is commendable, her statements thus far reveal a limited and unbalanced understanding of the Israel-Gaza conflict—one that reflects the oversimplified narratives often circulated online, where only Palestinian civilians are portrayed as victims. This lack of nuance is concerning. With millions of devoted followers who track her every move, Roan’s words don’t just express opinions—they shape them.

A 2024 Harvard study revealed that celebrities’ persuasive and outspoken involvement in the 2020 election significantly raised voter turnout, ultimately shaping the outcome of the election and the state of the country. Moments like these represent the undeniable need for celebrities’ political and social influence, yet where do we draw the line? 

Due to intricate algorithms rewarding virality and drama over accuracy, the war in Israel and Gaza has been simplified down to 30-second videos with false and incomplete narratives. In addition to this, the stance of being “pro-Palestine” became the woke trend and was quickly exacerbated by pop stars like Chappel Roan and Renee Rapp sharing false narratives to influence their fandoms. The TikTok hashtag #freepalestine has 31 billion posts, whereas the hashtag #standwithisrael has 590 million posts—meager compared to the overwhelming pro-Palestine support. This is undoubtedly due to pop stars joining complex conversations without adequate context or knowledge on the topic, reducing decades of conflict into a social media trend.

In a pivotal political moment, where social media and trends drive beliefs, pop stars’ influence is more powerful and dangerous than ever before. While it is not inherently wrong for celebrities to be passionate and politically charged, it is crucial that they do so after they gain a nuanced and well-rounded education on the topic. When they don’t, we see that their platforms turn war into a trend and influence their fans to do the same. If there is to be any change in this world, we must gain depth beyond hashtags and trends and demand more from our icons and ourselves.